Lollapalooza has seen a huge range of crowd sizes over the years, with some acts barely drawing a handful while others pack the fields. Recent discussions on r/lollapalooza dug into some of the festival’s smallest turnouts, offering a fascinating look at the dynamics behind who fills the crowd—and who plays to near-empty stages.
Notable Small Crowds in Lolla History
-
The International Noise Conspiracy (2005 & 2013): Often referenced as an example of lean attendance, this band reportedly played to around 30 people during their 2005 Lolla set. They repeated similarly sparse crowds in 2013, a stark contrast to Lolla headliners of those years. (source) (source)
-
Postal Service (2013): Played opposite a mammoth Mumford & Sons show, resulting in a notably small audience.
-
Chance the Rapper: Before his rise to superstardom, he performed on a tiny stage to a fraction of the festival’s crowd.
-
Megan Thee Stallion and Kyle Dion: Both saw surprisingly small crowds given their profiles at the time, with reports of fewer than 50 attendees for Kyle Dion.
-
Indie Heavyweights: Bands like The National and Death Cab for Cutie, despite critical acclaim, at times drew smaller crowds which reportedly influenced Lolla to reconsider certain booking strategies.
Why Do Some Acts Draw Small Crowds?
-
Timing: Early openers or noon-time sets generally get fewer fans showing up.
-
Niche Genres: Artists with more dedicated but smaller fanbases faced challenges attracting the broad Lolla crowd.
-
Competing Stages: Larger acts scheduled simultaneously can divert attendees.
Festival Evolution
Today, Lollapalooza’s booking reflects these lessons, balancing mega-headliners with diverse stages aimed to grow audiences patiently for breakout acts. Still, the memory of those tiny crowds remains a quirky and sometimes humbling part of Lolla lore.
Stay tuned for more real-time insights and deep dives into music festival culture here on Extra Chill Festival Wire.
Source: r/lollapalooza