What a way to cap off this year’s Lollapalooza. Four day festivals, if you do it right, can be one of the most grueling, demanding, exhausting, and rewarding musical experiences you can ask for. That’s exactly what I felt at the end of this year’s Lolla.

The Sunday of the 2018 edition was my busiest one yet this year, resulting in over 22K steps on my Fitbit from walking all over Grant Park to see brilliant performances from Superorganism, The Regrettes, Jessie Reyez, Kali Uchis, Knox Fortune, The Aces, and Sabrina Claudio, while closing out with Jack White.

Check out our notable highlights ans gallery for the day below.

Seeing Kali Uchis & Jessie Reyez this early on a schedule was a luxury that won’t be an option in the future

There’s something truly magical about checking out an early afternoon Lolla set from an artist that you know is just on the cusp of blowing up, because you and everyone else around understands this is a fleeting chance to experience this. That’s exactly what it felt like seeing Kali Uchis & Jessie Reyez each on Sunday. Reyez may not be the most imposting figure onstage, just a tad shy standing up there sometimes, but the second she starts performing it’s all about her heart. She lit up, and the energy she spread into the crowd was incredible. Kali, on the other hand, is captivating from the instance she hits your line of sight. Someone that can seamlessly transition from flamenco movements to twerking, and when she performed Isolation‘s “After the Storm” she was able to continue dancing while fans stepped in to chant Tyler, the Creator’s verse.

Everybody loves a good cover

The Regrettes closed with “Ballroom Blitz” advising fans to “go bananas,” and we did. Knox Fortune covered Tears For Fears’ classic 80s jam “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.” Covers can be hit or miss, but in this case, these two acts offered something that was very much in line with their current sound despite the distance in generations from when these tracks first aired.

Lil Uzi Vert’s rock star appeal is undeniable

His iconic shimmying was received with cheers and roars like any killer guitar solo decades ago. The crowds were massive, extending deep into every direction south of that stage, even onto the street. After seeing this spectacle, I couldn’t quite figure out how Uzi wasn’t a headliner this year. But one thing’s for certain, Lil Uzi Vert is the closest thing we have now to having a real rock star.

Favorite quotes/overheard lines:

“One day, when we sell more records than the Beatles you’re gonna think ‘man, I was there’” – Superorganism

“Every band dreams of playing Lolla. I saw a Geico ad in the air” – Superorganism

“All our songs are about us and nobody else because we’re narcissistic and we like to have fun” – Superorganism

“How many children of immigrants here? How many immigrants in the crowd?…” (after hearing the chants) “if you don’t like what I said, fuck you!” – Jessie Reyez

“Some DJs cold as fuck bro. They work on it the night before and get that flash drive. That shit cold” – overheard from a fan waiting for Lil Uzi Vert

“He said I might have to yank you off stage… the people have been out here all day and you’re gonna bring God into this?… Come on, God! You know what? Let’s do our own rain dance prayer” – Jack White saying in response to being told his set might be cut because of a possible storm

Superorganism

The Regrettes

Jessie Reyez

Kali Uchis

Knox Fortune

The Aces

Sabrina Claudio

Photo Credit: Oscar Oliva Jr / Pursuit Of Dopeness