On the Bud Light stage at Lollapalooza, Sunday night drew to a close with headliner Melanie Martinez, who didn’t attract as big a crowd as Blink-182 across the park. But the "Play Date" singer's fans are loyal and a few dozen of them proved it by waiting for her at the foot of the stage nearly all day.
Many wore T-shirts or carried tote bags from the ongoing Trilogy Tour, which will culminate in Europe this November. (And Chicago's very own Beach Bunny was one of the openers during the U.S. leg of the tour.)
Everyone in the crowd knew the words to the singer's opener, "Cry Baby," from her 2015 debut album of the same name. She's easily recognizable with her two-toned hair and pastel goth fashion ensembles.
Unfortunately, while Martinez has millions of monthly listeners on Spotify, her headlining performance felt extremely random if not out of place for the mega-festival. On the other hand, her performance made way for a calmer and smaller crowd to take to the spacious lawn on the outskirts of the stage to end the weekend on a serene note.
Dancers line up with Melanie Martinez (center) during her Lollapalooza performance Sunday in Grant Park.
Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Fans belted out the words "Dollhouse" and "Sippy Cup," songs that came out about a decade ago. A pop star in every sense of the word, Martinez offers a voice that's soft and baby-like. On other occasions she sings in a falsetto tone, adding to the overall themes of playfulness and creativity often associated with young age.
And while Martinez loves to tap into her childhood for her music, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. Her lyrics aren't afraid to touch on dark themes and traumatic experiences.
The singer brought the "it" factor with her on Sunday night, especially thanks to her team of extremely versatile dancers. They contorted and leaped across the stage wearing chilling bunny costumes that looked straight out of "Donnie Darko." The picturesque creation was chock full of fun props, flashy graphics, and costumes. Martinez is known for being an excellent performer, and it was obvious that plenty of thought went into this specific concert.
She didn't have much to say to her audience throughout the hour-and-a-half set, but sometimes letting the performance speak for itself is enough. Imagery depicting cherubs holding signs that read "free Palestine" and "end the genocide" were broadcast on the screens that surrounded the stage.
Fans cheer on Melanie Martinez at Lollapalooza on Sunday.
Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
Martinez, from Queens in New York City, rose to stardom after appearing on and getting eliminated from "The Voice" in 2012. Atlantic Records signed her two years later. Since then, she's dropped three studio albums, two of which have made it into the top three on the Billboard 200 chart. The most recent, "PORTALS," influenced the latter portion of the singer's Lollapalooza set.
At one point, dancers changed into nurse's costumes while spinning the singer around the stage as she sat on a gurney for "Nurse's Office." Martinez crossed her eyes, twisted her body up and made expressive gestures that made her look more like a haunted doll than a real, living, breathing woman.
Backing Martinez up on the guitar, artist and producer LAYNE showed out on "Death" and "Void," adding a fiery punk rock vibe to some of the last tracks of the set. Drummer Al Cleveland III kept the energy flowing and heads bopping through those tracks, too.
And Martinez's dancers carried the show into the final half-hour with an amazing ballet performance that depicted a love story ending in tragedy as she made elaborate outfit changes. After about 10 minutes, Martinez emerged on stage wearing a leafy, green two-piece outfit and fairy ears that transformed her into an otherworldly four-eyed forest nymph.
She ended with an eclectic performance of "Womb" before thanking the fans for being "such an incredible audience." On the count of three, she asked her fans to scream out before departing the stage: "Free Palestine!"
Fans cheer as BigXThaPlug performs on IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.|Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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Fans arrive in Grant Park for the first day of Lollapolooza on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.|Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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Fans arrive in Grant Park for the first day of Lollapolooza on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.|Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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Fans arrive in Grant Park for the first day of Lollapolooza on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.|Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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Fans cheer as BigXThaPlug performs on IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.|Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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Fans cheer as BigXThaPlug performs on IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.|Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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Tyla performs on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.|Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
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Iverson Woods and Jade Flournoy pose for a photo on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
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Matt Hansen performs on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.|Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
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Chappell Roan performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024. |Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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Fans cheer as BigXThaPlug performs on IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.|Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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Festival goers enjoy Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.|Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
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Fans watch as Chappell Roan performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.|Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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Chappell Roan performs on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. |Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
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Fans watch as Chappell Roan performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.|Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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Chappell Roan fans wait at the barricade before her set on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.|Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
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Adan Diaz performs on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
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Kesha performs on the IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.|Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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Fans cheer as Kesha performs on the IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.|Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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A fan holds the heart that Kesha threw out into the crowd as Kesha performs on the IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.|Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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A fan pretends to bite the heart that Kesha threw out into the crowd as Kesha performs on the IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.|Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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Labrinth performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.|Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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Fans cheer as Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024. |Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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Hozier performs to a packed crowd during the 8:30pm set on the Bud Light stage on day 1 of Lollapalooza in Chicago on Aug. 1, 2024.|Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
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Hozier performs to a packed crowd during the 8:30pm set on the Bud Light stage on day 1 of Lollapalooza in Chicago on Aug. 1, 2024.|Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
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Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024. |Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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Stay Safe Lolla is displayed on a tower prior to Megan Thee Stallion performing on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024. |Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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Fans cheer as Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024.|Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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Thousands flock to Grant Park for day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.|Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Wisp performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.|Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
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Kids watch Taj Farrant perform at Kidzapalooza on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. |Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
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Thousands flock to Grant Park for day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.|Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Festival-goers dress up as the Power Rangers as thousands flock to Grant Park for day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.|Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Wisp performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. |Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
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Fans listen to Wisp on the Second day of LollaPalloza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.|Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
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Ava Maybee performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.|Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
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Queen Herby performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.|Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Taj Farrant performs at Kidzapalooza on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.| Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
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Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. |Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. |Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Festival-goers dance and cheer as Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. |Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Festival-goers dance and cheer as Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. |Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Festival-goers dance and cheer as Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. |Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Festival-goers dance and cheer as Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.|Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Laufey performs with the Chicago Philharmonic on day two of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. |Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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Victoria Monét performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.|Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
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Victoria Monét performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.|Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
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Festivalgoers dance at Casa Bacardí during day three of Lollapallooza at Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.| Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
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Festivalgoers mill around on the third day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.|Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
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Matthew Hendley of Happy Landing performs on the third day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.|Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
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Leisure performs on the third day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.|Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
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Security mists festivalgoers as they wait for IVE to perform on the third day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.|Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
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IVE performs on the third day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.|Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
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Festivalgoers watch IVE on the third day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.|Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
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Stephen Carpenter of Deftones performs on the third day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.|Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
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Future and Metro Boomin perform on the third day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.|Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
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Fesivalgoers scream as they watch Future and Metro Boomin on the third day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.|Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
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Aja Volkman with Nico Vega performs on the fourth day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.|Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
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Fans cheer and sing along as Teezo Touchdown performs on the fourth day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.|Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Time
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Teezo Touchdown performs on the fourth day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.|Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Time
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Two festival goers use hand fans to keep cool on the fourth day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.|Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Time
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Fans listen to Carmen De Leon on the last day of Lollapalloza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.|Peyton Reich/Chicago Sun-Times
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Teddy Swims performs on the fourth day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.|Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Time
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A young fan holds up a sign that read’s “I Love Teddy Swims My First Concert!!” as Teddy Swims performs on the fourth day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.|Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
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SiR performs on the fourth day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.|Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
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Thousands of Festival goers attend the fourth day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.|Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
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Thousands of festivalgoers attend the fourth day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.|Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
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Carmen DeLeon performs on the last day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.|Peyton Reich/Chicago Sun-Times
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The Last Dinner Party performs on the last day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.|Peyton Reich/Sun-Times
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Tom DeLonge, left, and Mark Hoppus with Blink-182 performs on the fourth day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.|Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
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Downtown buildings facing Grant Park are lit up in rainbow colors to celebrate the the fourth day of Lollapalooza, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.|Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
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