Lollapalooza 2024, VIP is always Better.

Yes, you’ve read the title correctly. And yes, your’s truly was living the good life during Lollapalooza this past weekend. I went from crappy general admission tickets, followed by VIP and ultimately ended up in Platinum.

It’s crazy because just last month in July, I snuck my way up to the front row seats at Essence Festival! This time around I didn’t have to look over my shoulder every two minutes, scared that security was gonna kick me out!

In my previous post, I wrote about my first day at Lollapalooza in which I was in general admission. I originally purchased a four day general admission ticket. However when I arrived in Chicago on Thursday morning my friend Delores surprised me with upgrades for Friday through Sunday.

After the craziness of general admission on Thursday, I could not wait until Friday. I’ve never purchased VIP tickets before, I typically do GA+ . I also look at music festivals as like just a good time. Like it’s fun, I’m off work, I can tough it out and be sweaty, you know? It’s no big deal. But, after experiencing the difference between general admission and VIP I never want to go back! It’s not even on a bougie type thing, its just all about the comforts.

When I first began traveling solo, I was like, who needs a fancy hotel downtown, first class seats and front row seats? But I totally get it now. If you stay downtown right where the action is, you don’t have to worry about finding parking and having to traveling long distances. In first class, your body is more relaxed since the seats are larger and you’re not as tired when landing. In front row seats at concerts, you can actually see the artist and it’s just a more intimate feeling. It sucks being at concerts and being smushed in and having to look at the performance on screens.

I’m not saying that I will always do vip and platinum during events. I travel too much for all that and I have grown woman bills! But, after all the luxury at Lollapalooza, I will definitely splurge when I can. If you are able to or thinking about ever getting top tier event tickets, I say go for it! The difference between GA and VIP was night and day. Even VIP and Platinum was a measurable difference.

I will say, however, that the energy in general admission will always be better.

Ok, now back to the festival.

Upon waking up, hungover as ever I was super excited for day two. SZA and Victoria Monet are two of my favs and part of the reason why I even came! So once again, walking into the festival, it is so well organized that using the vip entrances aren’t even necessary. But, walking into the vip lounge was like a whole other world. It was literally like a picnic. It was cabanas, tables, shaded areas with sofas. There were food and beverage vendors with no lines. Lockers to put your merch and valuables in. And best of all restrooms with a/c and running water.

I was literally walking around like wowwww. I could eat sitting down at a table, get up and go to the bathroom and wash my hands and then just casually walk over to the stage and be 10 ft away from SZA. Is this real life? And I didn’t have to worry about people pushing me or trying to steal my phone. It was unreal. And afterwards, get on a golf cart to be whisked away to another stage without breaking a sweat.

The life.

So yeah after that, I went to the afterparty at TAO to see Zedd. Woke up hungover again and made it to the Platinum lounge bright and early because free food and drinks were included.

“If it’s not front row, Toni Child’s can’t go!” – Toni Childs, Girlfriends

One of my favorite quotes, from one of my favorites shows. People have always said I remind them of my her too lol. But in this moment, I GET IT.

Being in the Platinum lounge was nothing short of perfect.

Upon walking in, there is concierge service with a welcome gift – which was a yeti mug and a $45 gift card. Immediately after was a huge tent with a/c, cute decor and nice sitting areas. It was also a full bar inside and a fridge and table with snacks. Right outside the tent was a smaller tent that offered massages. There was also a salon that offered festival type hairstyles. The salon also had glitter and sparkles that a make-up artist adorned with you. That’s what I got. Which was the first real line I encountered at Lollapalooza, go figure.

So after glitter, we went to go eat. Oh and they also had a coffee bar that smelled delicious. But, I was unsure of how coffee, liquor and summer heat would mix so I passed. Lunch was buffet style and it was ok, I was really focused more on drinking. But the potato salad was actually good. My friends and I totally missed dinner, I don’t know what happened. Dinner was prepared by a chef and steak was on the menu, so it might have actually been good.

The best part of the meals were the viewpoints. It was another huge tent that was right across from the stage. You could sit, drink and eat your meal while watching your favorite artist. It just don’t get any better.

Lollapalooza also had some very cool vendors. I waited in line forever at the Dunkin Donuts house to score a free pink hat to match my outfit. Unfortunately, once I made it to the front of the line only ugly sunglasses were left. I did get to make an ugly/cute Waterloo had that I’ll probably never wear though.

Overall my entire experience at the festival was amazing. A ten out of ten. My only complaint is that if I attend again, there is no way that I’ll be able to do general admission again. I’ve seen the other-side and I can’t go back lol.

If you’ve made it this far thanks so much for reading about my experience! Have you ever attended on plan on doing so? If so how was it? What are some other festivals I should check out? Drop me a comment below 🙂

-Daph