The last time Korn played Lollapalooza was in 1997, performing alongside bands like Prodigy and Tool. Almost 30 years later, Korn is back, headlining the festival on the Bud Light stage, a glaring testament to their longevity and enduring talent.
Korn is a California-based nu-metal band formed in 1993 and composed of members Jonathan Davis, James Shaffer, Brian Welch, Reginald Arvizu and Ray Luzier.
The band’s breakthrough album “Follow The Leader” catapulted them into fame and created a nu-metal insurgence that cemented their legacy as pioneers of the genre.
At 8:30 p.m. “Pop Goes the Weasel” played out from the Bud Light stage, growing increasingly eerie as the popular children’s nursery rhyme continued. White strobe lights burst into the crowd, and phones immediately shot into the air as the dissonant guitar riff of “Blind” began.
“Lollapalooza, make some motherf—-ing noise,” Davis growled into the microphone. The audience immediately started bobbing their heads in unison, the stage illuminating in dark blue light.
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The intermittent guitar riffs grew increasingly menacing as Davis’ vocals crashed in, and the relentless pound of the drums rang out from the speakers. His vocal range became clear early in the hour-and-a-half set, effortlessly transitioning from melodic singing into guttural screaming.
The discordant guitar melody of “Blind” transitioned into the pounding rhythm of “Here to Stay,” Davis snarling into the microphone as the hammering rhythm of the song rang from the stage.
The intensity of the set never wavered, the jumbo screens jumping to and from each band member in a cinematic fashion, showing them banging their heads in the air as hair flew around their faces.
Matching the band’s movements, the audience threw themselves around, their heads whirling and their fists punching the air.
About a half hour into the set, Davis pulled out a bagpipe, garnering cheers from the crowd and signalling the beginning of “Shoots and Ladders.”
The shrill sound of the bagpipe eventually succumbed to the incessant droning of the electric guitar as Davis’ vocals pummelled in. “Ring around the Rosies, pocket full of posies,” he sang angstily, the melody of the electric guitar blazing behind him.
Davis would endearingly address the crowd throughout the night, roaring into the microphone as he asked festivalgoers if they were having a good time.
“The last time we played Lollapalooza y’all was in the 19 motherf—ing 97,” Davis shouted. “It’s been 28 years. And the fact that we are up on this stage again after 28 f—ing years, I cannot thank ya’ll enough. It’s because of you, it’s because of the OG Korn fans, it’s because of Chicago, it’s because of everything that you all have done for us after all of these years.”
Davis continued to express his gratitude before demanding that the crowd throw their middle fingers in the air — which they did without hesitation.
“Korn fans help out the other people, you know what’s coming,” Davis thundered. “Get ‘em up! And on the count of three, we’re gonna scream f— that.”
“F— that” rang out from the audience before Davis’ throaty voice rang into the microphone, “Ya’ll wanna single say f— that, f— that, f— that.”
The audience screamed and chanted back to him, their middle fingers never leaving the air, the energy of the song intensifying
“Ya’ll Want a Single” alone was enough to prove the band’s worthiness of its headlining spot, but they didn’t stop there, continuing their set for thirty more minutes before ending with “Freak On a Leash.”
“Ya’ll are an amazing crowd, and we love each and every one of you,” Davis said. “Have a safe and incredible night,” he screamed, his voice shifting to a guttural growl for the last time of the evening.
