This year's US summer festival season is extending well beyond its usual finish, with Lollapalooza in Chicago (30 July–2 August) being followed by two brand-new events in Southern California. Billboard's Pop Shop Podcast, hosted by Katie Atkinson and Keith Caulfield, discusses the line-ups for all three festivals, noting that while Coachella traditionally opens the season, 2026 is proving unusually busy right through to the new additions on the West Coast.

Lollapalooza's headliners include Charli XCX, JENNIE, Tate McRae, Lorde and Olivia Dean. It will be followed by Daisy Chain Fields, a one-day, all-women festival created by Olivia Rodrigo featuring Chappell Roan and Stevie Nicks among others, and Ocean Way Festival, a two-day beach event in Santa Monica headlined by The Killers, Olivia Dean and Jack White. The same podcast episode also covers chart news, including Gracie Abrams securing her first Billboard 200 number one with "Daughter From Hell" and Ella Langley holding the Hot 100 top spot for a 15th week with "Choosin' Texas".