2hollis is an artist you immediately recognize — if not from his distinctly harsh electronic sound, from his smudged eyeliner and platinum hair.
The L.A.-based and Chicago native singer/rapper/producer has been releasing music since 2018, originally under the name Drippy Soup. Recently, he has garnered a large following with the release of his latest album “star” and an appearance on Ken Carson’s “The Lord of Chaos Tour.”
Blending together genres such as experimental rap, dance and pop music, 2hollis’s catalog is a diverse mix of gritty club hits and raging electronica comparable to his peers Snow Strippers and Destroy Lonely.
Before he stepped onto The Grove stage Thursday night, the crowd started cheering and holding up their phones in anticipation. The cool chill of the evening set the perfect backdrop for what would be an electrifying set of nonstop energy.
Eerie music rang from the speakers as the harsh red glow of a digital clock displayed the time — 7:45. Thick white clouds of smoke rose from the crowd as water flicked up into the sky and festivalgoers shoved towards the stage.
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Blinding white lights shone out in the audience, and the music grew louder and more sinister with every second. In an abrupt transition, the ethereal wall of sound transformed into a harsh beat that immediately had the crowd jumping up and down.
2hollis appeared on stage in a frenzy of lights, his all white outfit and platinum blond hair glinting under the stage lights. He shrieked the lyrics of his 2023 single “Jeans” as he spun around the stage in quick whirls. In a series of abrupt movements, he bounded from each side in choppy motions, carelessly maneuvering around as he yelled into the microphone.
The pulsating beat and sharp atmospheric vibration of the music reverberated from the stage, occasionally cutting out to have the audience sing the lyrics.
“Chicago, Lollapalooza, I love you,” 2hollis said into the microphone before immediately going into “gold,” the boundless energy of his opening song immediately transferring over into the next.
Following “gold,” an ominous pounding rang out from the stage before 2hollis announced, “What the f— is up!”
He allowed the backtrack of his next song, “nerve,” to overpower his vocals, opting to caw and occasionally screech the lyrics into the microphone instead, the bird-like sound clashing with the percussive stabs of the song.
About 20 minutes into the set, the show was abruptly paused due to a medical emergency. Staff instructed festivalgoers to take three steps back to ensure everyone’s safety in the audience.
“Step back, don’t hurt each other,” 2hollis said in a genuine display of concern for his fans. “I know it’s crazy, I love you, I love you, I don’t want you to be hurt. If someone falls down, pick them up.”
The set resumed only minutes later, when the safety of the crowd was restored, and metallic whirring and thudding rhythms rang out from the stage. 2hollis maintained the high energy throughout the rest of his performance, slithering and rolling over on the stage before getting up and resuming his earlier dance moves.
Songs like “sidekick,” “Actor” and “two bad,” earned screams from the audience, the driving tempo of each song never letting up.
2hollis ended his set with “afraid,” expressing his love and gratitude for Chicago before exiting the stage in a blinding blur of light.
“Thank you,” 2hollis said. “Thank you.”
