What was built in 1936 to host the Summer Olympics has grown into the home of some of Berlin’s most iconic events. Of course, it lends itself perfectly to major sporting occasions, but it has become so much more than that. Legendary artists such as The Rolling Stones, Metallica and Beyoncé have all transformed the stadium into their own musical spectacle. It is no wonder that Lollapalooza moved its festival to the historic Olympiastadion in 2018. A legendary festival needs an equally legendary playground. Over the years, the festival has welcomed some of the biggest names in music to perform within its striking architecture. With artists such as Justin Timberlake, Olivia Rodrigo, Dua Lipa and The XX already in its archive, Lollapalooza Berlin 2026 had the seemingly impossible task of living up to yet another unforgettable line-up.
Saturday is off to a glorious start. Sun rays decorate the sports stadium turned festival ground, bald caps and hibiscus flowers are spotted everywhere, and Berlin residents jump into the Olympia pool as if it were any regular summer weekend. There is no turning back now: the biggest festival in Berlin is officially underway, and we could not be more ready.
Saturday - Sunny discoveries, brutal honesty and a never-ending pop spectacle
As if the temperatures are not hot enough already, Young Miko brings Puerto Rican heat to Germany. The tattoo artist turned rapper gives everyone in the crowd a much-needed confidence boost. The way the ‘WASSUP’ hitmaker commands the stage is undeniable. Without even trying, she takes on the role of warming up the audience for everything still to come. Her laid-back, cool take on reggaeton is exactly what sets her apart from others in the genre. Everything is in check: her energy, stage presence and charming eye contact with fans all match the music effortlessly.
We have to compliment whoever is responsible for the festival booking. One international act follows another, and it feels as though every corner of the world is represented. From Puerto Rico, we travel to Argentina with indie-rock band Usted Señalemelo. The trio were unknown to us before this weekend, and we could not be happier to have stumbled upon them at the New Horizon stage. Expect upbeat, energetic indie-rock songs layered with brilliant vocals from frontman Juan Saieg. Argentina may have taken a loss at the FIFA World Cup, but with this performance, the Argentinian band certainly won the hearts of many festival goers.
Berlin-born and raised DJ LOVEFOXY had a busy weekend. She was not only playing one, but two of Berlin’s most iconic festivals, both taking place on the very same weekend. The advantage of being an artist is that you get to experience a glimpse of both worlds. If Whole Festival received even a small dose of the energy she brought to Lollapalooza, they were in for a treat. Pumped up by the good vibes from her set, we made our way to the main stage where Lily Allen was set to perform her West End Girl show. Since this performance deserves a review of its own, you can read all about it in our separate concert review.
The crowd is divided into two groups: fans in suits and bald caps, and fans in hibiscus flowers, glittery make-up and sun-soaked outfits. There is no question that Pitbull and Zara Larsson are headlining today. No matter what the weather forecast says, the sun is going to shine anyway. Summer is not determined by the actual weather; it comes from within. It is a state of mind. And who better than the queen of summer herself to amplify that feeling? The stage becomes a never-ending ‘Midnight Sun’ as Zara sings her heart out. Anyone who has seen her live before knows exactly what is coming: one of the most energetic and joyful pop spectacles Berlin could possibly ask for.
Since we last saw Zara perform her Midnight Sun Tour, she has released new music that we finally get to hear live. Her collaborations with Tyla, ‘SHE DID IT AGAIN’, and PinkPantheress, ‘Stateside’, fit perfectly into the dreamy setlist. Our favourite moment of the night has to be ‘Pretty Ugly’. There is something about that chanting chorus that never gets old when performed in front of thousands of fans screaming along. We love how Zara is not afraid to remind everyone that ‘Midnight Sun’ is one of the best pop songs released in a very long time. She does not only open the show with it, she also closes the set with it. For the finale, we begin with an acoustic arrangement that showcases those unbelievable live vocals before dancing the night away.
Sunday - Shaking ass in the rain, surprise after surprise and smooth funky jazz
Sunday is packed with surprises from the very beginning. We have heard many critics praise Self Esteem’s latest album A Complicated Woman. We, however, had not yet had the chance to fully dive into her world. And boy, oh boy, have we been missing out. Together with seven dancers who also take on the role of background singers, she steps onto the stage to show Berlin exactly how it is done. It has been a long time since we have seen such a talented group of people have this much fun on stage. The infectious energy sets the perfect tone for the day ahead. Self Esteem, consider us fans from now on.
Even though the line-up is packed with stars dominating charts across the world, the loudest fans are found at Sofia Camara’s show. Her setlist, filled with sweet pop power ballads, becomes the backdrop for fans screaming their lungs out. At times, it even seems as though the Canadian singer herself is overwhelmed by the love coming her way. While she takes the crown for the loudest crowd, Anitta wins the title for the most dancers in the audience.
The sun makes way for rain, refreshing the Olympiastadion. Luckily, the timing for the rain could not have been better. With Anitta up next, the temperatures remain high regardless. The singer is here to represent her culture in the best way possible. Brazilian fans take over the crowd, ready to move their hips to her biggest hits. The set is packed with huge tunes, energetic dancers, pouring rain and a Brazilian dance-off. Anitta cannot be stopped by the weather. She even leaves the stage to walk into the rain and get closer to her fans. This woman truly knows how to put on a show.
At times, walking around the festival grounds feels as though you have stepped into a giant fairground. The biggest brands have made their way to Lollapalooza to promote their products, leading to endless queues everywhere you look. It is overwhelming to see so many visitors willing to miss out on incredible music for the chance to win free branded merchandise. The Johnnie Walker stage, however, manages to stay true to what Lollapalooza is meant to be about: great musical moments. Dance crews, singers and rappers bring the good vibes all day long. Kelvyn Colt is the most pleasant surprise of the day. The German rapper, currently based in Los Angeles, mesmerises the crowd with his unmistakable talent and has everyone jumping up and down, chanting every word.
It would not be a perfect Sunday without some smooth, jazzy music. Thankfully, singer Don West has packed his bags and travelled from Australia to Germany to perform songs from his latest album Give Me All Your Love. For a moment, we feared the talented singer would be performing to an empty crowd, as he was scheduled at the same time as Lorde. But as soon as the show begins, the space fills within minutes. His charming stage presence and smooth voice make it impossible not to stop and enjoy the performance in full. He serenades the crowd with funky hits such as ‘Send It Back’ and ‘Small Change’.
Lollapalooza Berlin 2026 was one for the books. Fans will be talking about it for years to come. If you, like us, are already looking forward to the 2027 edition, you are in luck: the festival has already announced next year’s dates, and tickets are already on sale. So, who are we seeing on 17 and 18 July 2027?
Zara Larsson photo by Robin Mayer (@goodguypaez)
Self Esteem photo by spndlr media (@spndlr.media)