Future X Metro Boomin arrive fashionably late to entertaining headlining set: Lollapalooza review

High temperatures and frustration are never a good concert combo, and those elements nearly boiled over Saturday night as fans waited for a heavily delayed, ultimately abbreviated headlining set by rapper Future and producer Metro Boomin, who performed for about 45 minutes on Lollapalooza’s north main stage.

“It’s not Rage energy …” joked a fan nearby as concertgoers began jumping the general admission guardrail during the delay, referencing arguably Lollapalooza’s single rowdiest crowd, an infamously massive throng assembled to see political rockers Rage Against the Machine in 2008. “It’s a little more subdued.”

That it was. But some fans being pushed up against the guardrail during the delay began calling out to staffers that a crowd surge from general admission into the VIP section flanking the stage was imminent. As staffers scurried to help fans spilling over the guardrail, no actual security was present. They were busy tackling someone on stage for all fans to see — as stagehands appeared to work on the stage itself in the run-up to the set’s late start.

Once the performance finally began, 30 minutes late at 9:15 p.m., things appeared to calm somewhat, despite a strange energy lingering — but only temporarily.

Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

“Attention, attention. Ladies and gentlemen ..." came the on stage announcement 25 minutes later as Future and Metro Boomin were forced to halt the performance at 9:40, just 25 minutes in. “I need you guys to take five steps back and relieve the pressure. We have to relieve the pressure to resume the show.”

Live images of the performance stopped as the massive screens flanking each side of the stage turned red, reading “ATTENTION: PLEASE TAKE A FEW STEPS BACK AND THE SHOW WILL RESUME SHORTLY.”

The Future X Metro Boomin “We Trust You” tour has been plagued from go, with the duo having already canceled five performances last month. “Yeah, yeah, yeah!” said Future, taking to the Lollapalooza stage 30 minutes late to crushing applause nevertheless.

In opener “Superhero,” pyro fountains soared from the stage as Metro emerged in a White Sox jersey. “Put your hands up into the sky!” he said, counting in the song.

Known for his collaborative endeavors, Future first began working with Metro Boomin on his sophomore studio album “Honest” in 2014, with the producer taking part in cuts like the title track and “I Won” ahead of an even bigger role on the “DS2” album in 2015.

Teaming up on the 2016 mixtape “Purple Reign,” the duo offered up their first two albums together, dropping “We Don’t Trust You” and “We Still Don’t Trust You” this past March and April respectively.

“We gotta go back to the 'DS2' days!” said Metro Boomin, setting up “Thought It Was a Drought.”

The Twitterverse was in full on meltdown over rumors of a possible Drake appearance, which could’ve squashed infamous Future/Drake beef. That never transpired, with energy reaching a boiling point as the duo moved forward with their entertaining set despite the early issues, offering up “Low Life” late.

“I knew Chicago was gonna come out and show up,” shouted Future as the set neared its final moments.

Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

Lollapalooza 2024 in photos

Fans cheer as BigXThaPlug performs on IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

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Fans arrive in Grant Park for the first day of Lollapolooza on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

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Fans arrive in Grant Park for the first day of Lollapolooza on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

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Fans arrive in Grant Park for the first day of Lollapolooza on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

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Fans cheer as BigXThaPlug performs on IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

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Fans cheer as BigXThaPlug performs on IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

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Tyla performs on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. | Peyton Reich/Sun-Times

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Iverson Woods and Jade Flournoy pose for a photo on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.

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Matt Hansen performs on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. | Peyton Reich/Sun-Times

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Chappell Roan performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

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Fans cheer as BigXThaPlug performs on IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

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Festival goers enjoy Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. | Peyton Reich/Sun-Times

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Fans watch as Chappell Roan performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

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Chappell Roan performs on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. | Peyton Reich/Sun-Times

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Fans watch as Chappell Roan performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

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Chappell Roan fans wait at the barricade before her set on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. | Peyton Reich/Sun-Times

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Adan Diaz performs on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.

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Kesha performs on the IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

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Fans cheer as Kesha performs on the IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

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A fan holds the heart that Kesha threw out into the crowd as Kesha performs on the IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

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A fan pretends to bite the heart that Kesha threw out into the crowd as Kesha performs on the IHG Hotels and Resorts stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

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Labrinth performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

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Fans cheer as Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

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Hozier performs to a packed crowd during the 8:30pm set on the Bud Light stage on day 1 of Lollapalooza in Chicago on Aug. 1, 2024. | Manuel Martinez/WBEZ

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Hozier performs to a packed crowd during the 8:30pm set on the Bud Light stage on day 1 of Lollapalooza in Chicago on Aug. 1, 2024. | Manuel Martinez/WBEZ

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Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

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Stay Safe Lolla is displayed on a tower prior to Megan Thee Stallion performing on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

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Fans cheer as Megan Thee Stallion performs on the T-Mobile stage on day one of Lollapalooza, Thursday, August 1, 2024. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

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Thousands flock to Grant Park for day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

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Wisp performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. | Peyton Reich/Sun-Times

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Kids watch Taj Farrant perform at Kidzapalooza on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. | Peyton Reich/Sun-Times

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Thousands flock to Grant Park for day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

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Festival-goers dress up as the Power Rangers as thousands flock to Grant Park for day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

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Wisp performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. | Peyton Reich/Sun-Times

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Fans listen to Wisp on the Second day of LollaPalloza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. | Peyton Reich/Sun-Times

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Ava Maybee performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. | Peyton Reich/Sun-Times

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Queen Herby performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

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Taj Farrant performs at Kidzapalooza on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. | Peyton Reich/Sun-Times

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Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

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Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

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Festival-goers dance and cheer as Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

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Festival-goers dance and cheer as Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

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Festival-goers dance and cheer as Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

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Festival-goers dance and cheer as Sexyy Red performs on day two of Lollapalooza, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

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Laufey performs with the Chicago Philharmonic on day two of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

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Victoria Monét performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. | Peyton Reich/Sun-Times

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Victoria Monét performs on the second day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. | Peyton Reich/Sun-Times

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Festivalgoers dance at Casa Bacardí during day three of Lollapallooza at Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

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Festivalgoers mill around on the third day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

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Matthew Hendley of Happy Landing performs on the third day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

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Leisure performs on the third day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. | Peyton Reich/Sun-Times

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Security mists festivalgoers as they wait for IVE to perform on the third day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

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IVE performs on the third day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

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Festivalgoers watch IVE on the third day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

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Stephen Carpenter of Deftones performs on the third day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. | Peyton Reich/Sun-Times

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Future and Metro Boomin perform on the third day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

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Fesivalgoers scream as they watch Future and Metro Boomin on the third day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

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