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Lollapalooza 2026: Grading the Sets and Emptying the Notebook
Music outlet Consequence published a rundown by writer Wren Graves grading 38 performances from Lollapalooza 2026, combining scores with leftover notes and observations from the festival that didn't make the main recap. The piece uses a simple grading system (mostly Bs, meaning a set gave the audience good value) and does not adjust grades for difficult conditions such as rain or awkward stage locations.
– SB19 (Filipino P-pop group) — B, praised for genuine if less polished crowd interaction– Boys Noize — B, played to a notably rowdy early-Thursday crowd– 5 Seconds of Summer — B, criticised musically but complimented for strong drumming– Blood Orange — B+, delivered a well-received sunset set– Little Simz — B, a tight, well-executed performance despite a tough weather-hit slot at the Tito's stage
In short
- Consequence graded 38 acts from Lollapalooza 2026 in a notebook-style recap.
- Thursday highlights included SB19, Boys Noize, Blood Orange and Little Simz.
- Grading favoured "good value" sets, mostly earning B or B+ marks.
Explained simply
Lollapalooza is a large music festival in Chicago, with performers playing on several stages over a number of days. Its line-up spans different styles, from pop and hip-hop to electronic music, and audiences may have to choose between acts performing at the same time.
Music outlet Consequence reviews festival performances and gives them letter grades, alongside notes on what stood out. The acts mentioned here include Filipino pop group SB19, rapper Little Simz, electronic musician Boys Noize, band 5 Seconds of Summer and singer Blood Orange.
These reviews offer one writer’s assessment of how the sets worked for audiences, including details such as crowd response, musicianship and the conditions at a stage. They can help readers understand the range of performances at the festival, while the grades reflect the reviewer’s chosen standard rather than a universal measure.