Berlin, July 12–13, 2025 — Ten years in, Lollapalooza Berlin presented by Telekom didn’t just celebrate its legacy—it expanded it, sending tremors of sound through the Olympiastadion and Maifeld in a weekend where music met magic. With a headliner lineup stacked with pop royalty, rising phenoms, and genre-bending innovators, the capital danced like it was the center of the universe. For two sun-kissed days, Berlin wasn’t just a city—it was Lolla’s beating heart.
🌈 IVE: K-pop Royalty in Full Bloom
Making history with their second Lolla headline, IVE defied gravity—and drizzle—with a choreographic masterclass. Singing live to “REBEL HEART,” “LOVE DIVE” and “After LIKE,” they led an international crowd through synchronized chants and sky-lit screams. Their 55-minute set was proof that K-pop’s wave is not just global—it’s gravitational.
💫 Gracie Abrams: Vulnerability, Amplified
Before JT owned the night, Gracie quietly stole hearts. Touring The Secret of Us, she stripped back stadium bombast with minimalist lighting and haunting vocals. Songs like “I Miss You, I’m Sorry” and “Mess It Up” resonated deeply, and even j-hope was spotted soaking in her set, a glowing tribute to her cross-cultural charm.
🎤 Justin Timberlake: The Legend Reloaded
Saturday night wrapped with JT back in full force. With signature swagger and a brass-heavy band behind him, Timberlake turned the Main Stage into a 90s-meets-now funkscape. Soaked in rain but electrified by groove, Berlin swayed to “Mirrors,” exploded during “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” and melted under “Cry Me A River.” He danced, joked, signed autographs mid-show, and commanded one unified instruction, to shake it!
💥 Benson Boone: The Voice of Now
Golden hour belonged to Benson Boone, whose raw, romantic ballads soared over the Maifeld crowd like confetti. “Beautiful Things” and “Mystical Magical” became stadium-wide singalongs, giving Boone his coronation as pop’s next heartthrob.
✨ RAYE: Style, Soul, and Sonic Grace
One of the festival’s most nuanced and visually stunning performances came from RAYE. Dressed in sleek glam, she bared her soul through “Escapism”, “Oscar Winning Tears”, and jazz-infused transitions that turned the Main Stage into her personal jazz club. With fire and finesse, she reminded Berlin what a fully-formed artist looks and sounds like.
⚡ j-hope: Hobipalooza, Berlin Edition
Sunday’s crescendo hit critical mass when j-hope turned Lollapalooza into Hobipalooza. A 90-minute spectacle of charisma, choreography, and raw gratitude, his set included 21 songs—ranging from solo bangers like “Killin’ It Girl” to BTS anthems like “Butter.” ARMY Bombs lit up the stadium. Fans sobbed, screamed, and danced. And j-hope declared: “Thank you for being with me all the way through. I love you all.”
🎨 THE “LOLLA WAY”: CULTURE BEYOND SOUND
From Fashionpalooza runs to DIY batik stations with Bleach London, Lollapalooza offered more than concerts—it gave every fan a stage. Workshops merged art with activism, and the eco-driven Grüner Kiez spotlighted sustainability through zero-waste challenges and plant-based cuisine.
Kidzapalooza delighted younger guests with dance, karaoke, and a special Puppetmastaz takeover. From rainbow flags to recycled fabrics, Lolla Berlin proved that culture thrives when community leads.
🎶 TEN YEARS STRONG—AND JUST GETTING STARTED
Festival Director Fruzsina Szép reflected on the milestone:
“Ten years of unforgettable music, people, and energy. Today, Lolla Berlin stands among Europe’s finest—not just as a music festival, but as a cultural movement.”
And it’s not stopping anytime soon. Lollapalooza Berlin returns July 18–19, 2026. The next chapter in sound begins now.
photo credits: Lollapalooza DE
SINON 