Festival Radar: Chicago 2026

As the birthplace of house music in the 1980s, the city of Chicago has earned its place as a landmark for innovative music. Frankie Knuckles, the “Godfather of House” who moved to the Windy City from New York City, played a pivotal role as the resident DJ at the Warehouse, where he fused disco, soul and electronic music to lay the foundation for house music. Other DJ/producers like Larry Heard and Marshall Jefferson were name-checked on Daft Punk’s “Teachers,” from their 1997 landmark album, ‘Homework,’ as a nod to the city’s massive influence on worldwide dance culture.

In tandem with its house heritage, Chicago established itself as a hotbed for alternative music, with artists ranging from Shellac and Smashing Pumpkins to Wilco and Fall Out Boy. In 1991, Perry Farrell, the enigmatic and charismatic frontman of Jane’s Addiction, launched Lollapalooza as a way to say farewell to the band, with the event initially taking on form of a counterculture touring festival and eventually settling on Chicago’s Grant Park as a permanent home for the four-day annual extravaganza. 

Since that inaugural event, Lollapalooza has become one of the key events in the North American summer festival season, making a name for itself as a place where young acts can get a shot at breaking through. Below the top billing of major headliners, there’s always a wealth of young, diverse acts to catch — and we’re highlighting some of them here. 

Dive into this collection of fresh tracks — from rising pop acts like Clair Rosinkranz and Faouzia and indie bands like Balu Brigada and New Constellations, to rap acts like Monaleo, R&B singers like Khamari and country-folk artists like Waylon Wyatt — and see that there’s a sound for everyone at Lollapalooza.

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LISTEN TO THE FESTIVAL RADAR: CHICAGO PLAYLIST ON SOUNDCLOUD NOW

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MPH, “Unconditional”
A rising act in the new wave of UK garage, the Canterbury-born producer recently dropped an ethereal stutter house-laced dancefloor cut — primed for his Lollapalooza debut.

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Empire of the Sun, Danny Ocean, FIFA Sounds, “Llego”
The Australian electronic pop duo dropped this Latin-infused track in 2026, following up their latest album, 2025’s ‘Ask That God (Deluxe).’

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Clare Rosinkrauz, “City”
A rising name in the pop scene, California’s Clare Rosinkrauz brings a breezy charm to her soft rock sound on February 2026’s ‘My Lover.’

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DESTIN CONRAD, “NERVOUS”
A major new name in the R&B scene, Floridian vocalist and songwriter DESTIN CONRAD dropped his Grammy-nominated album, ‘LOVE ON DIGITAL,’ in 2025. Find out more about Destin on his episode of Sound Advice, presented by Xfinity.

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SNACKTIME, “ENOUGH.”
Fresh off a collaboration with Ms. Lauryn Hill at Newport Folk Festival, the Philadelphia funk-soul ensemble continue their festival run with a highly-anticipated debut at Lollapalooza. Learn more about SNACKTIME’s creative process and get familiar with their catalog in this track-by-track commentary, recorded exclusively for SoundCloud’s Voice Notes.

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Quadeca, “Hell of a time” 
Vocalist and producer Quadeca brings his early days of uploading rap verse to the internet into his emotive pop sound.

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Finn Wolfhard, “Nice To Meet You Again” 
The multi-hyphenate Gen Z icon channels warm, summer-ready indie rock with his latest single. Dive deeper with the ‘Stranger Things’ alumni on SoundCloud’s Voice Notes with exclusive commentary unpacking the stories behind the music from his 2025 debut album, ‘Happy Birthday.’

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horsegiirL, “AURA”
Berlin’s own elusive, horse-masked DJ and electronic sensation delivers a hypnotic rush of dancefloor-ready hyperpop on this standout cut off her June 2026 debut album, ‘NATURE IS HEALING.’ In this exclusive commentary, horsegiirL discusses the making of the 15-track project, which travels from balearic grooves to new-age downtempo and thumping gabber, while sampling animals and instruments from around the world.

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Little Simz, “Telephone” Feat. 070 Shake
Refining a versatile, decade-long career built on sharp storytelling, the UK hip-hop powerhouse pairs effortlessly cool grooves with 070 Shake’s moody vocals on this trip-hop laced single — leading right into Little Simz’ 2026 Lollapalooza debut.

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Faouzia, “UNETHICAL” 
On her latest album, June 2026’s ‘FILM NOIR (fin),’ the Canadian vocalist and songwriter of Moroccan heritage, soars with her cinematic, dark pop sound.

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MUNA, “Dancing On The Wall” 
Indie pop trio MUNA dropped their latest album in 2026; this is the title track, drawing from ‘80s pop and queer dance influences.

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Haute & Freddy, “Shy Girl” 
Inspired by the theatricality of ‘80s pop, the LA-based duo dropped their debut album, ‘Big Disgrace,’ in March 2026.

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Paris Paloma, “Miyazaki” 
With her grandiose alternative pop ballads, Paris Paloma has been building her audience since her 2024 debut, ‘Cacophony.’

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AVELLO, “RAGE”
Orlando’s AVELLO is building a name for his own distinctive, caffeinated blend of melodic bass and heavy-hitting electronic production. On this latest track, the rising DJ/producer unleashes pure, festival-ready energy.

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Nettspend, “plan b”
Rising out of Richmond, Virginia, with viral snippets and heavily-distorted plugg beats from the underground SoundCloud scene, the Virginia rapper flexes his originality and magnetic flows on this standout track, ahead of his 2026 Lollapalooza debut.

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Clipse, “The Birds Don't Sing” Feat. John Legend
Marking a triumphant 2025 reunion capped by recent Grammy wins, the Virginia hip-hop innovators pen a deeply personal, gospel-inspired reflection on loss and family from their acclaimed reunion album, ‘Let God Sort ‘Em Out.’ Learn more about the making of this track, and others from the acclaimed project, in exclusive commentary recorded for SoundCloud’s Voice Notes.

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ivri, “WHOEVER YOU WANT TO BE (NOTHING MORE)” 
On her 2025 debut studio album, ‘the theory of you,’ the Florida-raised vocalist and producer blends shoegaze, heavy rock and alternative pop to heady effect.

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Monaleo, Teezo Touchdown, “Everythang Pinka” 
Houston-raised Monaleo links up with fellow rap vocalist and songwriter Teezo Touchdown on this May 2026 track, championing femme power.

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Khamari, “To Want Someone Badly” 
Vocalist and producer Khamari came up in Boston, and explores the emotional depths of R&B. His latest album is 2025’s ‘To Dry a Tear.’

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Marlon Funaki, “Let You In”
The vocalist and guitarist gets into a psychedelic rock groove on this track, which opens his March 2026 EP, ‘Half Moon.’

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Alison Wonderland, MEMBA, “Lost & Found”
The Sydney-born, LA-based bass DJ/producer links up with electronic Brooklyn electronic duo MEMBA for an emotive gritty, distortion-laced banger. Learn more about Alison Wonderland’s career journey, advice for fellow artists and more, in this exclusive Sound Advice interview.

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PARTYOF2, “POSER”
Based in LA, Jadagrace and SWIM are PARTYOF2, a brash electro-pop and rap duo who just dropped a deluxe version of their latest album, 2026’s ‘AMERIKA’S NEXT TOP PARTY!’

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Ella Red, “Ball and Chain”
The alternative pop vocalist and songwriter explores teenage angst and modern life on her January 2026 debut album, ‘IT’S NOT REAL.’

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Amber Mark, “Sweet Seronotin”
Blending into R&B, hip-hop and soft, Latin-inspired guitar sounds, Amber Mark’s dulcet tones roll out across her latest album, 2025’s ‘Pretty Idea.’

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Bella Kay, “iloveitiloveitiloveit” 
Indie pop vocalist Bella Kay fuses an alternative rock feel into her tracks on her latest album, July 2026’s ‘My Reckless Abandon.’

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Porch Light, “Oxygen” 
Hailing from Minneapolis, Porch Light is a five-piece alternative rock band led by vocalist Jackie Uhas. Their latest EP is 2025’s ‘Navy Blue.’

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Audrey Hobert, “Sue Me” 
After writing hit tracks for Gracie Abrams, pop vocalist Audrey Hobert strikes out on her own as a solo artist on her 2025 debut album, ‘Who’s the Clown?’

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Jae Stephens, “Attaboy!”
Playfully reflecting on the rise to fame, the R&B-pop vocalist continues her ‘SELLOUT’ series of releases with her latest installment, 2025’s ‘TOTAL SELLOUT.’

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Balu Brigada, “So Cold”
An indie rock band from Auckland, New Zealand, Balu Brigada dropped this track on their 2025 debut album, ‘Portal.’ Learn more about Balu Brigada’s creative process in this exclusive track-by-track commentary.

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AYYBO, blazey, “Dirty” 
The Californian DJ/producer amps up his brash take on big room tech house on this collaboration with blazey. 

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DEVAULT, “Belgium” 
Dance DJ/producer DEVAULT broke through with remixes of rap and R&B acts. His latest solo release, 2024’s ‘Sensation,’ features vocalists like Slayyyter.

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Chalk, “I.D.C” 
The Belfast industrial trio is making a name for themselves through their raucous live shows. This track features on their March 2026 album, ‘Crystalpunk.’

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Pearly Drops, Namasenda, DJ_Dave, “Falling Out of Grace” 
Swedish vocalist Namasenda and experimental DJ/producer DJ_Dave feature on this 2026 track by ethereal pop duo Pearly Drops. Find out more about DJ_Dave through her SoundCloud Ascending profile.

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Spacey Jane, “Do You Really Love Her” 
This latest track from the Australian rock group closes out their latest EP, June 2026’s ‘Exit Wounds.’

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Julia Wolf, “Deep End”
The alternative-pop powerhouse brings her signature moody, atmospheric edge to her latest single, continuing a breakout trajectory supported by high-profile collaborations alongside artists like Drake, Yeat and Maggie Lindemann. Get to know Julia Wolf and her creative process, from this exclusive Sound Advice interview to her track-by-track commentary for SoundCloud’s Voice Notes.

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New Constellations, “Dandelion”
The Portland dream pop band weaves melodic synth jams into their May 2026 album, ‘It Comes in Waves.’

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Evening Elephants, “Lazy Cries” 
Playing melodic pop with the intensity of a rock band, Evening Elephants lean into memorable riffs and vocal hooks on their 2025 album, ‘Carefree, very.’

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Cameron Whitcomb, “Kingdom of Fear” 
Canadian vocalist and musician Cameron Whitcomb blends country, indie pop and folk-rock on his April 2026 EP, ‘Deep Water.’

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Waylon Wyatt, “Box of Bones”
On Waylon Wyatt’s July 2026 album, ‘Dustpiles,’ the teenage country vocalist and musician displays wisdom well beyond his years. 

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RYMAN, “Told Me Once, Tell Me Twice” 
With his mix of alternative pop, country and folk, RYMAN tells old soul stories on his latest EP, 2024’s ‘Cowboy Killers.’

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MC4D, “Sunsets”
First cultivating a fanbase with their viral Down Under Country mixes on SoundCloud, the twin-brother duo drops a lush, high-energy festival anthem. Ahead of their 2026 Lollapalooza debut, learn more about MC4D and their career journey in this exclusive Sound Advice interview.

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Mother Mother, “ON AND ON”
The Canadian alternative rock mainstays bring their tried-and-true blend of sharp harmonies and infectious hooks. Hear more about the thinking behind Mother Mother’s 10th album, ‘Nostalgia,’ in this track-by-track Voice Notes commentary.

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Asha Banks, Novo Amor, Lowswimmer, “Anymore” 
British actor, vocalist and songwriter Asha Banks leans into an oh-so gentle folk pop sound on her latest tracks.

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LISTEN TO THE FESTIVAL RADAR: CHICAGO PLAYLIST ON SOUNDCLOUD NOW