Why SB19 Made Me Watch Lollapalooza for the First Time
Updated: Aug 9
I never imagined that my first time watching Lollapalooza would be because of a Filipino group. No, I didn't fly to Chicago. I just watched the livestream on my way to my doctor's appointment, and honestly, I only tuned in for SB19's set. Once they finished performing, I went on with the rest of my day.
For many people, that probably sounds odd. Lollapalooza is one of the biggest music festivals in the world, featuring some of the biggest names in music. So why watch only one act?
The answer is simple: This was the first time a homegrown Filipino act had ever been invited to perform there. That alone made it feel historic.
As Filipinos, we've grown accustomed to celebrating artists of Filipino descent who become successful overseas. We proudly claim Bruno Mars, Olivia Rodrigo, and countless others because of their Filipino heritage. But it's much rarer to see artists who were born, raised, and built their careers in the Philippines earn a place on one of the world's biggest festival stages.
Watching SB19 perform wasn't just about supporting my favorite group. It felt like witnessing a milestone for Filipino music.
At the same time, I knew I wasn't exactly a neutral observer. Seeing them perform, I honestly felt proud. I thought they did exceptionally well, and judging from the crowd's reaction, it seemed like they won over quite a few people who had never heard of them before.
But I also know that's just my opinion. So instead of stopping there, I became curious. I watched clips from some of the other performances. I read festival reviews from different publications. I wanted to know whether my excitement was simply because I was rooting for SB19 or whether their performance genuinely stood out in the context of the entire festival.
Interestingly, the more I read, the more balanced my own perspective became.
The general consensus wasn't that SB19 delivered the single greatest performance of the weekend. In fact, most critics seemed to agree that Lorde's set—especially with Charli XCX joining her onstage—was among the festival's defining moments. John Summit's hometown performance also generated enormous energy, while The Smashing Pumpkins created memorable moments with several surprise guests.
What caught my attention, however, was that SB19 kept appearing in a different kind of conversation.
They weren't necessarily being discussed as the festival's best act.
They were being discussed as one of its biggest breakout stories.
I think that's an important distinction.
There's a difference between having the most acclaimed performance and leaving the festival with the most momentum. Sometimes an artist doesn't need to headline or steal the entire show to make a lasting impression. Sometimes simply proving that you belong on that stage is already a victory.
SB19 wasn't even one of the headliners. Yet multiple reports highlighted them because they represented a first. They were the first P-pop act to perform at Lollapalooza, and by most accounts, they made that opportunity count. To me, that's something worth celebrating.
It's also a reminder that international recognition isn't about seeking validation for the sake of validation. I'd like to think it's about opening doors.
Every time a Filipino artist succeeds on a stage like Lollapalooza, they make it a little easier for the next Filipino act to be considered. Festival organizers become more familiar with Filipino talent. International audiences become more curious. The idea of seeing another P-pop or Filipino artist on future lineups becomes less of a novelty and more of a possibility. That's how progress usually happens—not through one earth-shattering moment, but through a series of successful firsts.
So yes, I watched Lollapalooza for the first time because of SB19. And after watching their performance, I came away feeling proud. Not because I believe they had the undisputed best set of the weekend. But because they represented the Philippines well, delivered a performance they can be proud of, and became one of the festival's most talked-about breakthrough stories. For me, that's already a win—not just for SB19, but for Filipino music as a whole.
Related Post: SB19 Defines P-pop and Succeeds Internationally
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