Jennie made history as the first Korean female solo artist to headline Lollapalooza Chicago, but her performance received a mix of praise and criticism.
The BLACKPINK member performed on a main stage at Grant Park in Chicago on August 1 local time. Her appearance marked an important milestone in her solo career outside the group.
A review published by the Chicago Sun-Times said Jennie showed why she was chosen as a headliner during performances of her popular songs, including Mantra, ExtraL, and Like Jennie. The critic noted that her stage presence became stronger during the second half of the show as the choreography and production came together.
However, the review was less positive about the opening portion. It claimed that the large stage, numerous dancers, and extensive production sometimes made Jennie appear less prominent. Sound balance problems were also said to have made parts of her live vocals sound flat.
The performance of Dracula, which used Kevin Parker’s recorded vocals, received particularly sharp criticism. The reviewer said the combination of Jennie’s live singing and the recorded part sounded like “little more than glorified karaoke.”
The amount of unreleased music in the set was also questioned. Jennie introduced songs including Heaven, Rock It Down, and Sweet Tooth. While fans near the front reportedly reacted with excitement, some general festival visitors appeared less familiar with the new material, and the review said some audience members gradually left.
The critic also described the set as relatively short for a headline performance and suggested that unreleased songs filled a significant part of the show because Jennie’s solo music catalog is still growing.
Some people who watched the livestream shared similar concerns about the balance between Jennie’s voice and the backing track. They claimed there were moments when the instrumental appeared stronger than her live vocals or when the timing did not sound fully matched.
However, many fans and concertgoers defended the performance. Supporters praised Jennie’s energy, stage design, choreography, and confidence. Some attendees also said her vocals sounded clearer inside the venue than they did through the livestream.
Others said the show was worth attending despite rainy and muddy festival conditions.
Jennie’s performance ultimately drew divided opinions, with some viewers praising her growth and presence as a solo artist while others felt parts of the show needed stronger live vocals and better sound balance.
Despite the criticism, her appearance remains a historic achievement as the first Korean female solo artist to headline Lollapalooza Chicago.
