In just over a week, K-pop superstars Stray Kids will be headlining the Bud Light stage at Lollapalooza in Chicago, IL. The group will perform on Friday night, adding to the evening’s star-studded lineup including artists like SZA, Victoria Monét, and Reneé Rapp.
Stray Kids are known for their signature boisterous sound and hard-hitting choreography, making them a staple act for a large-scale summer music festival like this. STAYs, their fans, have been buzzing with excitement ever since the lineup was announced, and they quickly became one of the most highly-anticipated artists of the weekend.
Debuting in 2018 under JYP Entertainment, the eight-member boy group has been making an impact on the K-pop scene both in Korea and across the globe. In the six years Stray Kids has been active they’ve collected numerous awards, chart accomplishments in multiple countries, and a massive international fanbase. The members have accumulated quite a list of songwriting and production credits during their career, as well. This group is no stranger to festival performances either, securing gigs like Global Citizen Festival 2023, British Summer Time Hyde Park 2024, Lollapalooza Paris 2023, and several appearances at KCON throughout the years.
Whether you’re unfamiliar and curious about the group’s sound, or already a fan wanting to prepare for their set: we’ve got you covered. There are a few songs that could be considered setlist regulars for the group, and they recently released their new album ATE with the title track “Chk Chk Boom”, which will almost certainly be included. This list contains songs that are both popular amongst K-pop listeners and likely to be on their setlist based on their track record.
Songs To Hear Before Lollapalooza
Here are 10 songs to either get you hyped up for Stray Kids’ Lollapalooza set, or introduce you to the group:
- “Chk Chk Boom”
“Chk Chk Boom” is the newest addition to Stray Kids’ long list of hard-hitting title tracks. While the group doesn’t stick to one genre across the board, their title tracks are usually overflowing with power and a strong EDM influence that gets people moving. Perfect for a festival environment.
- “S-Class”
One of the songs that comes to mind when I hear the word “earworm”. The repetitive elements of the chorus stick with you and keep you coming back for another listen, and the beat switch at 1:16 is a fun addition.
- “LALALALA”
“LALALALA” might be one of the most suited songs of theirs to be played at Lollapalooza. It’s hard to hear it and not want to get up on your feet and dance, and the choreography ties it together to make it perfect for large-scale performances.
- “TOPLINE”
The live version will lack the feature from Korean hip-hop legend Tiger JK, unfortunately, but this song stands out against the other picks based on style. The rappers of the group always have their moment, but tracks like this allow them to really shine.
- “God’s Menu”
“God’s Menu” stands out as one of Stray Kids’ most iconic songs of all time. It’s hard to imagine how obsessed everyone was with this song if you weren’t there, but there’s a reason they perform it so much. Both the song and choreography are permanently etched in the minds of K-pop fans, whether they’re STAYs or not.
- “MIROH”
A track from earlier in their career, “MIROH” earned the group their first music show win. The song has since become one of their most quintessential, and a very special song in the hearts of both Stray Kids and STAYs.
- “DOMINO”
Another prime example of Stray Kids members Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han (also known as the trio 3RACHA) proving their skills as writers and producers. Rather than creating generic lyrics or “safe” instrumentals, the boys in 3RACHA are determined to push boundaries and have fun while doing it.
- “Thunderous”
The title track of their album “NOEASY” is a tongue-in-cheek commentary on the criticism Stray Kids receive for the type of music they make, which people refer to as “noisy”. Lyrics acknowledge their reputation as a loud group over an even louder beat, letting people know it doesn’t bother them and wearing their “Thunderous” tendencies like a badge of honor.
- “MANIAC”
Another song by the group that took over the scene for a moment, partly due to the memorable choreography. With lyrics about the shared feeling of keeping things contained for the sake of looking put-together and abandoning it to be a “maniac”, it makes the perfect track to get the crowd to let loose.
- “Back Door”
The funky bass in the instrumental would make anyone who hears it want to dance, and the powerful outro would be perfect to close out the evening. “Back Door” is one of the group’s most fun tracks, and an essential in their discography.
Stray Kids’ “Venom”: An Unexpected Pick
This song may be a bit less likely to end up in the setlist, but it felt necessary to add anyway. “VENOM” is Stray Kids at their best; smooth vocals, rapping that feels like it’s intentional rather than an afterthought (as it’s sometimes treated in K-pop), and a beat so good and so strange that it has no choice but to stay stuck in your head.
This group is an absolute must-see for this festival season. Don’t miss Stray Kids at Lollapalooza on Friday, August 3, and check out their new album ATE here!
Author’s Note
Paddy Murphy is a Midwest-based photographer specializing in live music with a BFA in Photography from Ball State University and a life-long passion for music and concerts. Portfolio: saint-paddy.com
