Niall Horan and K-pop Sensation Seventeen Steal the Show on Day 2 of Lollapalooza 2024
Day two of Lollapalooza was far from boring. Fans of Louis Tomlinson got an extra treat, as former bandmate Niall Horan headlined the second day. But most of Sunday’s crowd came for the K-pop sensation ‘Seventeen.’
Seventeen is a popular K-pop group from South Korea, consisting of 13 members. What makes Seventeen unique is that the group is divided into three ‘units,’ each focusing on different aspects of their music: vocals, dance, and rap. The band has become one of the biggest K-pop groups in the world, with success both in Asia and internationally.
This was evident in Berlin as well: the field was already packed with fans of the band from the morning. The excitement reached a fever pitch when the group finally took the stage. Seventeen is known for their powerful performances and creative choreography, and the members didn’t stand still for a moment. At one point, the field had to be closed off completely because there was simply no more room.
Niall Horan took to the main stage on the opposite side of the field, drawing the crowd back over. A large group of fans held the front rows and went wild when their idol took the stage. Horan’s solo music style differs from that of One Direction and includes influences of folk, pop, and rock. He scored major hits with songs like ‘Slow Hands’ and ‘Nice To Meet Ya.’ Horan accompanied himself on guitar for much of the show, even playing a ballad on the piano. The 31-year-old Irishman certainly holds his own against his former bandmates Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson, and the audience agreed as they cheered loudly. He closed his performance by thanking the fans for coming.
The band Nothing But Thieves also returned for day two of the festival, delivering a typically flawless performance. Lead singer Conor Mason sang all the songs with his distinctive voice, and all their biggest hits were included, from ‘Sorry’ to ‘Welcome to the DCC.’ Alongside the British band was British rapper Loyle Carner, known for his introspective lyrics and personal approach to music. His style is often described as a mix of hip-hop and jazz, with a focus on storytelling, touching on themes such as family, identity, ADHD, and his life experiences. Carner proved to be a popular act at Lollapalooza. Even though he is mostly famous in the UK, he managed to win over the Berlin crowd.
The two closing acts on Sunday were Sam Smith and The Chainsmokers. Sam Smith performed on one of the main stages outside the stadium, while The Chainsmokers entertained the crowd inside. The DJ duo closed the night with a spectacular show, complete with fireworks, confetti, and CO2 cannons. Both DJs declared it their best show to date, repeatedly shouting this into the microphone. They were so euphoric that one of them jumped off the stage into the crowd.
This marked the lead-up to the grand finale of Lollapalooza 2024, with the entire stadium lit up by an incredible fireworks display. It was a fitting end to an extraordinary festival weekend in Berlin’s Olympiapark and a promising preview of Lollapalooza 2025, which will be the 10th German edition.
Photos (c) Marjolein van Veldhuizen
