Turning 30 is a milestone, and for me, it felt like Lollapalooza India was going to be the perfect way to celebrate. Last year, the buzz around Travis Scott headlining ignited excitement for a global party, but ultimately, my 29th birthday stayed local. However, with rumors swirling and anticipation building, Lollapalooza India 2025 is shaping up to be a truly momentous occasion.
This year, Lollapalooza is taking a bold approach. They launched ticket sales for their 2025 edition on September 5th, even before announcing the lineup. This strategic move has worked wonders in the past. Their inaugural event in 2023 set a high bar, featuring a captivating blend of international and local acts, from The Strokes for indie fans to Imagine Dragons for the mainstream crowd and AP Dhillon for a pan-Indian appeal. The result was a star-studded event that drew over 60,000 fans.
The 2024 lineup, however, sparked mixed reactions with the absence of Indian headliners. This year, fans are taking matters into their own hands, actively participating in the hype by predicting and hoping for their dream acts. Their predictions for the 2025 lineup, which ranged from Green Day to Coldplay, came true in part. Green Day, the iconic 90’s punk legends, will be headlining for the first time, bringing their anthems like “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”, “American Idiot”, “Holiday” and “21 Guns” to Indian fans, a generation that grew up on their music and will likely rediscover the fire of their youth.
The 2025 lineup definitely seems to offer a wider range than the previous year. Western pop stars like Shawn Mendes, Louis Tomlinson (of One Direction fame), and English rock band Nothing But Thieves are set to perform. There’s a strong presence of indie artists like Glass Animals, known for their hit “Heat Waves,” and Dhanji. But the lineup goes beyond just global names, with the inclusion of rising Indian artists like rapper Hanumankind, whose tracks are practically inescapable, and singer Talwiinder. These Indo-Americans have delivered viral hits in the past year, showcasing the dynamic evolution of music in India.
The 2025 lineup is a testament to the growing influence of Indian music on the global stage. Hanumankind has recently surpassed Kendrick Lamar on Spotify and Billboard charts, a huge achievement that highlights the rising power of desi rap. And with global pop star Dua Lipa performing in India this November, it’s clear that there’s a flourishing cultural exchange between India and the international music scene.
Lollapalooza India 2025, set to take place on March 8th and 9th, emerges as a bridge between these two worlds, facilitating the exchange of music and culture. This year is shaping up to be a truly exciting time for music in India, with local artists making waves internationally and global stars discovering the vibrant energy of the Indian music scene.
