Attending BookMyShow Live’s Lollapalooza 2025 has always been on my bucket list and when the music festival finally came to Mumbai for its 3rd edition (presented by Perry Farrell and C3), I knew I HAD to be there! The hype was real, the lineup was insane, and the excitement in my veins was unmatched. But if you think getting to the festival was a smooth ride, oh honey, let me spill the tea, it was a full-blown adventure itself
Lollapalooza India 2025: The Heat, The Hustle & The Heartbeat!!
So, picture this, a blazing hot March afternoon, a crew of overexcited fans, hats, sunscreen, and two train changes later, we finally arrived at Mahalaxmi Station. But guess what? The roads were jam-packed, and we saw people straight up abandoning their cabs and walking towards the venue. So yeah, we joined the walking parade under the sun like true Mumbaikars. Heatwave 1 – Us 0.
After walking a solid 3 km (yes, we counted), we finally reached the venue, collected our wristbands and stepped into the magical world of Lollapalooza. Honestly, the moment we entered and saw the crowd dressed in vibrant outfits the heat, the exhaustion and the chaos just vanished. Lolla fever officially hit us!
The First Impressions: Water Sprinklers & Vinyl Discs
The entry setup was absolutely fab! Cool water sprinklers welcomed us at the entrance, instantly making us forget the Mumbai heat. There were four major stages set up at different corners of the Mahalaxmi Racecourse, each buzzing with energy.
- Nexa Stage – For all the soul-soothing acoustic performances.
- Corona Sunsets Stage – Serving pure vibes, perfect for sunset sets.
- Keep Walking Stage – Big artists, big energy — no kidding!
- Perry’s X H&M Stage – Absolute rave central, perfect for EDM lovers.
We first heard Isabel Rosa serenading the crowd with “Darling, can I be your favourite…” but instead of standing in the crowd, we decided to explore the surroundings while listening to her tunes and seeing her on the big screen attached to the stage. First stop? H&M Centre where they handed out FREE stickers to put up on vinyl discs. Cute touch, right? Next up, we found ourselves at the Corona Lounge where people were chilling on the level above for a better stage view. Oh, and did I mention the giant Ferris wheel? The view from there was pure magic but the long queue was a vibe killer!
Food, Tunes & Unexpected Surprises
Now, let’s talk about the FOOD. Oh-my-foodie-heaven! The Lolla Food Park was stacked with amazing options like Good Flippin’ Burgers, Foo, Tiger Yaki, Magnolia Bakery, Jimi’s Burger, Shuwa, Tokyo Matcha Bar and more. I shamelessly devoured The Cluckinator Burger from Good Flippin’ and sushi from Foo, zero regrets, just pure food bliss!
We made it just in time to catch Jonita Gandhi belting out “Deva Deva and What Jhumka?”, and the crowd went wild. Her vocals, her energy, and the whole vibe were surreal. By now, the sun had started setting, the sky turned golden, and it was finally time to park near the Corona Sunset Stage to catch the heartthrob, Shawn Mendes.
When Shawn Mendes Hit The Stage!
The moment Shawn walked out singing “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back”, the crowd practically LOST IT. Everyone went into chorus mode, screaming every lyric like their lives depended on it. Oh, and guess what? Shawn wore Virat Kohli’s Indian Cricket Team Jersey, sending the crowd into an emotional meltdown. If that wasn’t iconic enough, he kept throwing Hindi words like “Dher sara pyaar, Mumbai!” and boom, we were in love all over again.
Day 2: Hanumankind, Green Day & Goosebumps
We were already sore from Day 1, but did that stop us? Absolutely not! Day 2 for us began with Wave To Earth hitting the Nexa Stage with their electrifying performance and the drum set at the end was fire! But the real showstopper was Hanumankind’s performance, the energy, the rap, the vibe and everything was next-level. His “Wait a minute!” is still ringing in my head. But unfortunately, since Hanumankind’s set clashed with One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson’s performance, we had to miss the latter!
But the moment that made us cry? Green Day’s performance. The crowd lost it when Billie sang “I walk a lonely road…” during Boulevard of Broken Dreams. I’m not kidding, strangers hugged each other, tears were shed, and nostalgia hit us HARD. That moment? Pure magic. And, while Green Day was taking all of us to a boulevard of broken dreams, John Summit was sending EDM lovers into a frenzy on another stage, talk about major FOMO!
What Made Lollapalooza Worth It?
Apart from the killer lineup, Lollapalooza 2025 aced in one more department, comfort and convenience. There were hydration stations at every corner to keep us cool in the Mumbai heat. The gender-neutral washrooms were a total game-changer, making the event incredibly inclusive.
Another highlight? The Keep Walking Experience by Johnnie Walker. Their whole concept revolved around self-expression and pushing boundaries and honestly, it was the perfect metaphor for the whole Lolla experience. Whether you were dancing your heart out, eating your way through the food park, or getting lost in the music, everyone was simply walking their own walk.
Also Read: Lollapalooza’s 3rd Edition Wraps Up In Style With Louis Tomlinson, Hanumankind & Green Day
Would I Go Again To Lollapalooza?
“HELL, YES!”. Despite the heat, the long walk, and the sore feet, Lollapalooza 2025 Mumbai was the experience of a lifetime. Watching Shawn Mendes, Green Day, and Hanumankind perform live, gorging on delicious food, and vibing with 50,000+ music lovers, nothing compares to it. I couldn’t help but sulk over the acts I missed. The dreamy voice of Aurora, Niladri Kumar’s magical sitar performance and the electrifying performance by Raftaar X KR$NA. Other artists on my wishlist were, Lisa Mishra, Alok, Zedd and Glass Animals. Sadly, we had to give it a miss this time.
If you ever get a chance to attend Lollapalooza, grab it with both hands. And here’s a pro tip: Wear comfy shoes, carry sunscreen, and go with zero expectations, because trust me, the experience will exceed everything you ever imagined.
Lolla, you have my heart. Until next time!
Cover Image Courtesy: Supplied