Chicago's Grant Park got the kind of summer storm that festival organizers dread. Heavy rainfall hit Lollapalooza on Friday, and the casualty list included Lil Uzi Vert's 6:40 p.m. set on the T-Mobile Stage, canceled ahead of headliner Charli XCX's performance.
'Due to weather issues, Lil Uzi Vert will no longer be performing,' the festival announced on Instagram. Zara Larsson's set was rescheduled as well. A message to the same effect was projected at the stage for the crowd already gathered there.
The story did not end with the cancellation notice.
Within the same evening, Lollapalooza posted a follow-up: 'Surprise! Lil Uzi Vert will join Major Lazer on Perry's Stage tonight.' The 4x Grammy nominee walked out during Major Lazer's set and performed his 2022 single 'Just Wanna Rock.' Major Lazer shared video of the appearance.
The festival, now in its 35th year, continued to absorb the weather on Saturday. Doors were delayed until 2 p.m., and attendees were advised to wear waterproof shoes given the muddy conditions throughout Grant Park.
The record here is straightforward: one artist lost a headlining slot to rain and found a stage anyway. That is either a testament to the festival's logistical flexibility or simply what happens when enough people — artists and organizers alike — refuse to let a weather report be the final word.
Lollapalooza runs through the weekend.
