Lollapalooza 2017 - Saturday
photo by James Richards IV

Lollapalooza 2017 Saturday pics (Chance the Rapper, Mac DeMarco, The xx & more)

Chance the Rapper is struggling to build musical momentum in his headlining set. The pacing is choppy and disjointed. In bursts, trumpeter Nico Segal provides solo firepower and Peter Cottontale’s keys shadow the rapper’s vocals. Vic Mensa joins for “Cocoa Butter Kisses,” a pivotal song and moment for Chicago hip-hop. But despite all the gospel-infused backing vocals and empowering statements, the set lacks the thrust of Chance’s finest, most intimate moments on stage with his excellent band, the Social Experiment. The size of the show demands spectacle and Chance tries to provide it, with a video intro and fireworks. But he gets the biggest charge out of the audience with a couple of statements. He says he will not allow the performance to be live-streamed because “I just want it to be me and Chicago” (even though a good portion of his Chicago fan base isn’t in attendance). And later he urges the audience to speak truth to power, including Chicago’s mayor. “You have all the power,” he tells his audience. “Put pressure on politicians to put you first … come at me, Rahm.” – [Greg Kot, Chicago Tribune]

Hometown hero Chance the Rapper headlined the penultimate day of Lollapalooza 2017 whose set also featured Vic Mensa (who did a surprise pop-up set on Friday) and Francis & the Lights. Saturday of Lolla also saw sets from Mac DeMarco, The xx, alt-J, Warpaint, Sylvan Esso, Alvvays and more. Pictures from Saturday are in the gallery above.

Lollapalooza wraps up its 2017 edition today (8/6) with performances from Arcade Fire, Justice, Big Sean, The Shins, Joey Bada$$, Charli XCX, Car Seat Headrest and more. Most of those sets will be ivestreamed.

Check out Lollapalooza Thursday pics HERE, and Friday pics HERE.

photos by James Richards IV; Chance the Rapper photos by Greg Noire for Lollapalooza