How we photographed Lollapalooza’s energy

This week’s top photo comes from Photojournalism Intern Jeremy Battle. Follow him on Instagram.

What makes this photo important?

Lollapalooza’s 35th year concluded with a day full of energetic performances and lingering mud. Documenting the fan experience and the vibe of the performance is a key part of concert photography, and Turnstile frontman Brendan Yates made it easy to do both in the same frame. Acts like Turnstile displayed a level of fan interaction you may not get from festival headliners and offered a chance to see the artist swim among a sea of impassioned music-listeners.

How did you get this photo?

I was fortunate to be in a photo pit with other photographers I knew, but none of us expected anyone to jump off the stage and over the barricade. The moment he did, we all ran to get the best angle we could. I wanted to position myself to see fans’ expressions as Yates performed, so I chose a wider view to emphasize how many people were reaching up at him. Photographers followed as he walked across different sections of the barricade, picking out different groups of fans to sing to and energizing the crowd.

Technical details:

Equipment: Sony A7III with a 70-200mm f/2.8L lens
Focal length: 28mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure: 1/640
ISO: 640

More great photos from Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ photojournalists:

Tate McRae performs Sunday on the T-Mobile stage on Day 4 of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.

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Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

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Aespa performs Sunday on the Allianz stage on Day 4 of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.

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Jeremy Battle/Sun-Times

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Brendan Yang connects with the crowd Sunday during Turnstile's performance on the Bud Light stage on Day 4 of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.

Brendan Yang connects with the crowd Sunday during Turnstile’s performance on the Bud Light stage on Day 4 of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.

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Jeremy Battle/Sun-Times

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Fans crowd surf during Turnstile's set on Day 4 of Lollapalooza.

Fans crowd surf during Turnstile’s set on Day 4 of Lollapalooza.

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Jeremy Battle/Sun-Times

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Justine Skye performs Sunday on the BMI stage on Day 4 of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.

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Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

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Amber Mark performs Sunday on the Allianz stage on Day 4 of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.

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Jeremy Battle/Sun-Times

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Cruz Beckham and The Breakers perform on the Tito’s stage on Day 4 of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.

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Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

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Jennie performs Saturday at the Bud Light stage on Day 3 of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.

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Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times

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Cameron Winter performs with Geese on the Allianz stage on Day 3 of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.

Cameron Winter performs with Geese on the Allianz stage on Day 3 of Lollapalooza in Grant Park on Saturday.

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Giacomo Cain/For the Sun-Times

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Ethel Cain performs on the Bud Light stage on Day 3 of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.

Ethel Cain performs on the Bud Light stage on Day 3 of Lollapalooza in Grant Park on Saturday.

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Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times

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Leon Thomas performs on the T-Mobile stage on Day 3 of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.

Leon Thomas performs on the T-Mobile stage on Day 3 of Lollapalooza in Grant Park on Saturday.

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Giacomo Cain/For the Sun-Times

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Jae Stephens performs on the BMI stage on Day 3 of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.

Jae Stephens performs on the BMI stage on Day 3 of Lollapalooza in Grant Park on Saturday.

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Giacomo Cain/For the Sun-Times

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Billy Corgan performs with The Smashing Pumpkins on the Bud Light stage Day 2 of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.

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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

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Thousands flock to Grant Park for Day 2 of Lollapalooza.

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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

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HorsegiirL performs on the Airbnb stage on Day 2 of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.

HorsegiirL performs on the Airbnb stage on Day 2 of Lollapalooza in Grant Park on Friday.

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Jeremy Battle/Sun-Times

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Zara Larsson performs on the T-Mobile stage on Day 2 of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.

Zara Larsson performs on the T-Mobile stage on Day 2 of Lollapalooza in Grant Park on Friday.

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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

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Finn Wolfhard performs with his band on the Airbnb stage on Day 2 of Lollapalooza in Grant Park on Friday.

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Jeremy Battle/Sun-Times

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Slayyyter performs on the Bud Light stage on Day 2 of Lollapalooza in Grant Park on Friday.

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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

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Fans dance and cheer as Slayyyter performs on Day 2 of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.

Fans dance and cheer as Slayyyter performs on Day 2 of Lollapalooza in Grant Park on Friday.

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Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

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Lorde performs on the T-Mobile stage on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park

Lorde performs on the T-Mobile stage on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park on Thursday.

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Charles Reagan Hackleman for Lollapalooza

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John Summit performs on the Bud Light stage on Thursday, the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.

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Manuel Martinez/WBEZ

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Sombr hugs a fan on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.

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Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

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Five Seconds of Summer performs with Sombr on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.

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Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

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Fans sing along to Sombr on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.

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Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

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Blood Orange performs on the Bud Light stage on Thursday, the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.

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Manuel Martinez/WBEZ

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Fans scream as SB19 performs on the Allianz stage on Thursday, the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.

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Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

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SB19 performs on the Allianz stage on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park.

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Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

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An aerial view of the muddy fields after Lollapalooza at Grant Park. — An aerial view of the muddy fields after Lollapalooza at Grant Park on Monday.

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) and quarterback Tyson Bagnet (17) run drills during training camp at Halas Hall. — Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) and quarterback Tyson Bagnet (17) run drills during training camp at Halas Hall in Lake Forest on Thursday.

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson watches players run drills during training camp. — Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson watches players run drills Tuesday during training camp at Halas Hall in Lake Forest.

Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (85) runs drills during training camp at Halas Hall. — Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (85) runs drills Tuesday during training camp at Halas Hall in Lake Forest.

Performers play instruments at Marquette Park. — Performers play instruments at Marquette Park after marching in Chicago Lawn on Aug. 1 where people gathered to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Marquette Park march against segregation.

Head Football Coah Bobby Rome cheers for Chicago State University President Zaldwaynaka “Z” Scott as she stops by football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. The team is preparing to begin its inaugural season at the end of the month. — Head Football Coah Bobby Rome cheers for Chicago State University President Zaldwaynaka “Z” Scott as she stops by football practice on Wednesday. The team is preparing to begin its inaugural season at the end of the month.

Patrice Daniels, a man incarcerated at Dixon Correctional Center, speaks in the visiting room of the correctional center. — Patrice Daniels, a man incarcerated at Dixon Correctional Center, speaks about his experiences at the Joliet Treatment Center.

Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias' back is to the camera with a dozen reporters holding microphones and cameras in front of him as he speaks to the press after announcing his run for mayor. — Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias speaks to the press after announcing his run for mayor Sunday.

Illinois State Police investigates a fatal crash scene on the express and local lanes of the inbound I-90/94 near Garfield Boulevard on July 31. — Illinois State Police investigates a fatal crash scene on the express and local lanes of inbound I-90/94 near Garfield Boulevard on July 31.

Ivy Kelly, who is incarcerated at Division 9 of the Cook County Department of Corrections and maintains his innocence after serving 26 years, stands in a room where attorneys speak to their clients, Friday, June 12, 2026. Kelly was offered to walk free if he pleaded guilty to murdering his best friend. He denied the offer and maintains his innocence. — At the Cook County Jail, Ivy Kelly, who maintains his innocence after serving 26 years, awaits a retrial on charges he fatally shot his best friend in 1999. Kelly has rejected an offer to plead guilty and walk free.

Maria Mizhuiri sobs while addressing dozens of family, friends, and community members attending a vigil for her 16-year-old son Alex Blacio inside his aunt’s home on Wednesday. — Maria Mizhuiri sobs while addressing dozens of family, friends, and community members attending a vigil for her 16-year-old son, Alex Blacio, inside his aunt’s home on Wednesday. Blacio was struck and killed while riding an e-scooter on Western Avenue on Monday while going home from work.

A dumpster filled with school supplies sits in an alleyway next to Carlos Fuentes Elementary School in the Avondale neighborhood on Monday. — A dumpster filled with school supplies sits in an alleyway next to Carlos Fuentes Elementary School in Avondale on Monday. According to neighbors, for nearly a week, parents and teachers have been diving into the dumpster to recover whatever supplies their children need ahead of the school year.

Nakia Smith waters recently planted collard greens in his community garden in Roseland. — Nakia Smith waters recently planted collard greens in his community garden in Roseland on the Far South Side on Monday.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson marches with activist Rami Nashashibi (left) and Common near West 63rd Street and South Kedzie Avenue in Chicago Lawn. — Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson marches with activist Rami Nashashibi (left) and Common near West 63rd Street and South Kedzie Avenue in Chicago Lawn on August 1 where people gathered to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Marquette Park march against segregation.

10 arrested at muddy Lollapalooza, including a backstage brawler, drone operator and poncho seller News At least 10 people were arrested in and around this year’s muddy Lollapalooza music festival in Grant Park, with some facing charges for selling rain ponchos without a permit, illegally flying a drone and punching a backstage security guard with a pocketful of drugs. This year’s arrests were split evenly…
Así luce Grant Park después de que Lollapalooza desmontó los escenarios News Otro Lollapalooza ya pasó, pero Grant Park tiene un largo camino antes de volver a la normalidad. Entre un fin de semana lleno de lluvia (además de las precipitaciones históricas en toda la región de Chicago este verano) y cuatro días en los que más de 100,000 asistentes al festival…
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How we photographed Lollapalooza’s energy

What makes this photo important?

How did you get this photo?

Technical details:

More great photos from Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ photojournalists:

Related Posts:

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What makes this photo important?

How did you get this photo?

Technical details:

More great photos from Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ photojournalists:

Related Posts:

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