For the second time in a month, the city of Chicago is the center of the music world. All of the biggest acts on Earth will be descending upon the Windy City to perform at one of the year’s most prominent music festivals in Lollapalooza. While the fine citizens of the Chi will be enjoying all of these amazing bands, most of us will be enjoying the festival from our cool, non-sticky homes with full bathrooms.
So, considering that, we combed through the surprisingly extensive streaming schedule to find the absolute gems you shouldn’t miss. Here are the best acts to stream during Lollapalooza 2015, which you can livestream right here.
Friday
Tove Lo – 4:00 p.m. ET, Channel 1
Swedish singer Tove Lo took an unlikely route out of the country’s carved path. Known for its bright and sweet pop, she opts to be EDM’s answer to Janis Joplin. Songs like “Habits” and “Talking Body,” despite being around for a while, have become surprise hits in 2015. The way that most patrons show up to these festivals, they’ll already be in the mood to receive Tove Lo’s electronic blessings.
DJ Mustard – 5:45 p.m. ET, Channel 3
As far as producers go, there’s probably no bigger name in the last calendar year than DJ Mustard. When he shows up to a festival gig, expect some of those debts to be paid back with surprise guests. It would be an absolute shock if either YG, Ty Dolla $ign, or Kid Ink don’t show up during his set. Or maybe it would just be lazy on their part, but still. Who knows? Maybe he’ll debut one of his new productions with one of the many hip-hop artists in attendance.
The Weeknd – 9:30 p.m. ET, Channel 1
Somewhere in the last few months, Abel Tesfaye went from low-key hype to on-fire pop star. Literally in some ways. The Weeknd’s rise to superstardom couldn’t come at a better time when he’s headlining the main stage on Friday. “Can’t Feel My Face” is a bona fide hit, and, as of this week, he has two other songs in Billboard‘s Hot 100 Top 10. Prior to this, he was thought of as a sidekick or hook man, but The Weeknd is ready for the hottest spotlight this summer.
More Friday Stream Times:
Hot Chip – 6:10 ET, Channel 1
Father John Misty – 6:15 ET, Channel 2
MS MR – 7:15 ET, Channel 2
The War on Drugs – 7:15 ET, Channel 1
Alabama Shakes – 8:25 ET, Channel 1
Gary Clark, Jr. – 9:15 ET, Channel 3
Saturday
Death From Above 1979 – 5:45 ET, Channel 1
The reunion of Sebastien Grainger and Jesse F. Keeler, better known as Death From Above 1979, brought cheers to anyone who missed the strong days of dance punk. Since their return, they’ve released an excellent album in The Physical World and put on some great shows. However, a stage like Lollapalooza is the perfect forum for their heavy synths, bass licks, and percussion to ring out through all of Grant Park in Chicago.
Metallica – 9:15 ET, Channel 1
The immortal gods of thrash are coming to Lollapalooza to smite all non-believers. With a catalog of so many classic metal hits (just nothing from St. Anger, if possible), Metallica certainly has all the ammo necessary to absolutely bring the house down. Most of the mainstream music fests shy away from hard rock and metal for genres with a wider audience, so it’s incredibly refreshing to see this headliner Saturday night, even if it’s a huge act like these guys.
More Saturday Stream Times:
Mick Jenkins – 3:15 p.m. ET, Channel 2
Charli XCX – 4:45 p.m. ET, Channel 1
Walk The Moon – 8 p.m. ET, Channel 1
Chet Faker – 9:00 pm ET, Channel 2
Sunday
Marina & The Diamonds – 5:30 p.m. ET, Channel 2
When you typically attend a festival, it’s a lot of hard work to vary your choices. You don’t want to end up seeing a lot of the same thing. Luckily, Marina & The Diamonds cross so many genres that you could pretty much knock them all out in one set. Singer/songwriter, pop star, new waver, and electronic act all pretty much in one, Marina Diamandis can satisfy so many emotions simultaneously. In the name of expedience, it would basically hurt you to NOT watch her set.
Paul McCartney – 8:30 p.m. ET, Channel 1
What more is there to say about a man who’s a Beatle? If you don’t like Paul McCartney by now, there’s nothing that could probably sway you. But, seriously? This set will probably have everyone singing along to the many classic songs that Sir Paul has written throughout his 50-year history in the music business. There’s no way this couldn’t be great.
A$AP Rocky – 9:30 p.m. ET, Channel 2
But, if watching a Beatle isn’t your thing, Lord Pretty Flacko Jodye will be holding it down on a different channel. A$AP Rocky is enjoying the success of his latest record, AT.LONG.LAST.A$AP, while still paying tribute to his fallen brother, A$AP Yams. The headlining set at Lolla is a big moment for the Harlem rapper, no doubt one that Yams would have been very proud of. It’s almost a guarantee that Rocky will take this opportunity and really do something great with it.
More Sunday Stream Times:
George Ezra – 4:45 p.m ET, Channel 2
The Chainsmokers – 6:45 p.m. ET, Channel 3
G-Eazy – 7:30 p.m. ET, Channel 2
TV on the Radio – 8:30 p.m. ET, Channel 2
Bassnectar – 10:30 p.m. ET, Channel 2