Victoria Monét performs during her Friday afternoon set on the T-Mobile main stage for the second day of Lollapalooza on Aug. 2, 2024. Photo courtesy of Dušana
Very fun, beautifully stunning and claiming her motherfvk*ng moment. That is how you can best describe Victoria Monét’s late Friday afternoon set at the main T-Mobile stage at Lollapalooza on the second day of the 2024 edition of the world-renowned music festival here in Chicago. That was easily one of the most anticipated performances of the whole festival and well worth the wait for the long overdue debut Lollapalooza performance from the multi-GRAMMYs Award-winning singer and songwriter.
Victoria made a memorable entrance too. As a video played on the big screen with a jungle before a message in all blue caps blaring saying, “You are now fvckng with the baddest in this b***h that’s why you in this bh no we no we don’t want to fvck unless you’re rich that’s bad for business b**h that’s bad for business hoe. Victoria then in the same pin-stripped trench suit from her most recent video for her newest single, Alright. Emerging down the stairs with her backing dancers in matching outfits giving a very stunning performance of the hit single. As the very enthusiastic crowd sang and danced along right before she smoothly transitioned into Cadillac (A Pimp’s Anthem). Then going into a break change with her dancers doing a routine to Aaliyah & Timbaland ‘s classic, Are You That Somebody.
Emerging back out in a sexy matching orange bra and booty revealing pants ensemble Victoria then went and sat down as she went into one of her most popular singles, F.U.C.K. Doing some somewhat proactive moves towards the middle to end of the performance. Victoria and her dancers all really showing off their amazing and somewhat provocative dance moves as she went into a cover of GloRilla’s, TGIF. Right before going into a beautifully amazing rendition of her standout record, How Does It Make You Feel. During part of the performance Victoria showing off members of her backing live band. As she let the guitarist, keyboardist and other guitarist that she dubbed, The Melodramatics, each show off their instrument’s. Then going back into the record and asking the crowd to sing along.
As we got to about the midway point of the performance. Victoria said she had a special guest to introduce the next song. A video of her daughter, Hazel, onscreen introducing it. As Victoria and her dancers went into a very amazing dance heavy performance covering Diana Ross & The Supremes classic hit record, Stop! In the Name Of Love. Right before she went into a performance of her own standout record, Stop (Askin Me 4Shyt). At one point in the middle of the performance even jokingly saying to the very big Lollapalooza crowd on the south end of Grant Park. “Stop wearing those shoe’s at Lolla you aren’t going to be comfortable in all weekend.” Also then saying, “Stop bringing along your friend that is going to always kill the vibe and be a hater.”
After saying how much she loved Chicago. Victoria would let the crowd know she’s from the Westcoast though and if she can show how things are there. Then going into a very amazing performance of her standout single, Coastin’. As the crowd sang and danced along. She would then go to the front middle of the field part of the stage trying to see the rest of the crowd better and then trying to see if the right or left side was the loudest. She would then ask if smoking was legal here in Illinois. To which the crowd gave an emphatic, “Yes!” Victoria then saying set the mood to the next song by lighting up then. As she went into a very smoke heavy performance of her hit Lucky Daye featured single, Smoke and its reprised version. As everyone so enthusiastically sang along while smoke also filled the air.
As we got to the latter part of the performance, Victoria, asked Chicago if she can slow things down. Then going into a very beautiful rendition of her standout single, Moment. Right before her and her dancers went into a very dance heavy cover of Twin of Twins classic, Scene 1 (Death News). Right before going into her own hit single, Party Girls. Victoria and her dancers going back to show off more of their amazing moves. While she went into, Jaguar. Then closing out with a very fun and amazing performance of her hit single, On My Mama. That the crowd so emphatically sang and danced along to. The perfect fun way to close out one of the best debut Lollapalooza performances ever. That I’m sure will be remembered as one of the festival’s best performances of the whole weekend and ready to bring Victoria back for a more prime time slot for Lollapalooza in just a few more year’s.