The opening day of Lollapalooza 2017 was cut short as poor weather forced an evacuation of the festival grounds.
With an hour to go and with storm clouds rolling in, Lorde was pulled off stage by her production manager as she apologized, “I’ll do everything I can, I’ll be back.”
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Ticketholders were instructed to evacuate as the Grant Park, Chicago loudspeakers rang out with the message: “The show will not continue, please clear the park immediately. Follow instructions from the park and Chicago police.”
Grant Park is being evacuated due to weather. Please make your way to the nearest exit. https://t.co/U5S24qzchL pic.twitter.com/lhGRsJGBW5
— Lollapalooza (@lollapalooza) August 4, 2017
The downpour started as the crowds exited, though the rain seemed to stop by 9:50pm.
Organizers got the news out by social media. “Grant Park is being evacuated due to weather. Please make your way to the nearest exit,” read one tweet. The night’s performances “will not resume,” read another.
Tonight’s performances will not resume. Please make your way toward shelter, away from Grant Park. pic.twitter.com/3BTAU2Lhf1
— Lollapalooza (@lollapalooza) August 4, 2017
If you have items in our Lockers that you absolutely need tonight, meet our staff at Harrison & Michigan Ave between 10-11pm.
— Lollapalooza (@lollapalooza) August 4, 2017
The festival runs from Aug. 3-6 with a typically stacked lineup that also features The XX, Blink-182, DJ Snake, Justice, alt-J, Cage The Elephant, The Head and The Heart, Ryan Adams, Liam Gallagher, Phantogram and Spoon, as well as up-and-comers Rag’n’Bone Man, Maggie Mae, 6lack, Sampha and Jain.
It’s unclear at this stage if the day two program will be affected by the inclement weather.