Lollapalooza this year was more than just a festival. It was a gateway for music lovers to dive deep into the culture and craft of their favorite art forms, thanks to Airbnb’s innovative experiences. Marking the first year of a global partnership with Lollapalooza, Airbnb brought fans access to the heart of the music scene through unique experiences hosted by industry insiders.
A standout was the DJ mixing workshop led by Chicago’s own Queen of House, DJ Lady D. Known for her soulful house music and a career spanning over two decades, Lady D invited fans to step behind the decks themselves.
“DJing has been a defining part of my life for over 20 years. I’ve had the chance to perform worldwide, and DJing at Lollapalooza over a decade ago remains one of my career highlights,” she shared. Teaching mixing skills during this iconic Chicago weekend, she described it as a “full-circle moment,” made even more meaningful through Airbnb’s focus on “connection, creativity, and celebrating the spirit of the city.”
© Chad WadsworthParticipants in the workshop got to learn the ethos of house music, practice syncing tracks with hands-on coaching, and ride the energy with a private live set, all included alongside a one-day festival pass.
© Victoria SandersThis exclusive Airbnb Original experience gave fans an insider’s glimpse into the legendary Chicago house scene, elevating their Lollapalooza experience beyond the usual.
Ali Killam from Airbnb explained how this activation fits into a broader vision. “So when Airbnb first started, the idea of hosting people in your home for a stay was completely unheard of... now that we’ve officially had over 2 billion people stay on Airbnb, we figured it’s like the next, we’re ready for the next step.”
© Chad WadsworthThat next step involves bridging travelers not just to places, but to experiences that immerse them deeply in local culture. “Travelers now are looking for more than just a really nice stay... they’re really looking for one of a kind, once in a lifetime experiences that really immerse themselves in the place they’re visiting."
© Chad Wadsworth"We’ve also seen a huge rise in fandom travel," she explained, "people traveling the distance to see their favorite artists perform.” This philosophy follows Airbnb’s new offerings launched just last year, including Airbnb Services, which brings personal chefs, stylists, and trainers directly to guests, and the reimagined Airbnb Experiences, where local experts curate authentic adventures.
© Chad WadsworthLollapalooza in Chicago featured five curated experiences designed to connect fans with music culture beyond the main stages. Alongside DJ Lady D’s workshop, fans could enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour with veteran festival director Tim Sweetwood, styling sessions with celebrity stylist Anne Marie Wang, makeup tutorials from Jill Powell, and a festival photography workshop with acclaimed photographer Octavius, teaching how to capture festival magic using just a smartphone.
Ali Killam highlighted the care taken to select hosts, “There’s a whole process of applying to be an experience host, and we’re really looking for hosts that have a unique local perspective and are experts in their field... people who really know the industry and music better than anyone else.”
