By Sonali Khanna, Senior Arts & Entertainment Reporter • Aug 2, 2026

As one of the final headliners for Lollapalooza 2026, pop artist Tate McRae took to the T-Mobile stage and delivered a high-energy, intricate set. 

The singer-songwriter and undeniably talented dancer rose to fame with her 2020 single “You Broke Me First.” Since then, she’s stayed in the spotlight, with this year marking her third Lollapalooza performance. 

Anticipation for her performance was high. Fans flocked to the T-Mobile stage area, with many sitting in the mud or barricading for hours before her set began. When the lights went out, even without a logo or a teasing tune, the crowd went wild.

The T-Mobile and Allianz stage area can hold tens of thousands of people, but McRae’s pull was so strong that people packed the area beyond the maximum. 

McRae arrived fashionably late for her set by about 10 minutes, and in her absence, fans were chanting her name and “We want Tate” in hopes of getting her to arrive. 

Once the set started, the energy didn’t die down. She opened with her song “Just Keep Watching,” with fireworks going off throughout. 

Dance breaks are a key characteristic of McRae’s live performances, and it’s no shock that she brought some powerful moves to her set.  

McRae’s stage and lighting were also impressively managed, and she made good use of it all, even dipping herself in gold during the set. 

“Hello guys, my name is Tate McRae; it’s such a pleasure to meet you all,” McRae said towards the beginning of her set. “I am so beyond excited to be back in Chicago. I love it here; this is one of my favorite places to perform … This is my first time headlining, which is crazy. You guys gonna be a loud crowd like usual? You guys ready to have some fun?”

Made unique by her dance breaks and set design, McRae’s headlining performance was one to behold. 

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