With memories still fresh from Djo’s Lolla love fest in 2025, another “Stranger Things” star tried to fill the gap on Friday – albeit, with a very different style of music. Finn Wolfhard — known for playing character Mike Wheeler — made his real-life solo festival debut here in Chicago, which makes sense when you consider the city has become a special spot in his music career.
Wolfhard’s 2025 debut “Happy Birthday” was recorded in town with co-producer Kai Slater and instrumentalists Asher Case and Isaac Lowenstein (all from the local band Lifeguard) as well as Sofia Jensen from Chicago’s Free Range. “Happy Birthday” and its quick follow-up, “Fire from the Hip,” which was just released July 10, also feature the handiwork of Twin Peaks guitarist Cadien Lake James, who has long been Wolfhard’s mentor. There’s also a sub-context to the young talent’s music: his great love of Chicago titans Wilco.
The tried-and-true Midwest indie folk ramble and neo-country leanings were strong in Wolfhard’s material, though it may not have landed as well at Lollapalooza as it would have at, say, Evanston Folk Fest. The audience motility suggested as much. Wolfhard at one point suggested they “jump around a little.” What started with a crowded house and ear-piercing fangirl screaming at the top of the set was nearly muted by the end as most of the devotees thinned out, on to the next high-energy romp.
Wolfhard’s music has its place. It’s a beautiful slow-burner assortment chock full of electric and acoustic whimsy and layered with keys, lap steel, fiddle and drums from six additional skilled musicians. His foot-stomping and guitar-whipping are fun to watch, too, and he’s just as versatile when he drops an instrument.
This is not the Canadian’s first rodeo, either. The now 23-year-old began his musical pursuits when he was just 14 with the power pop band Calpurnia and then moved into the indie rock vein with The Aubreys. In addition to Wilco, he’s also a fan of the Rolling Stones, which informed much of his new material, as heard on the rousing opener “I’ll Let You Finish.” In his Lolla set, he covered another oldie but goodie with Faces’ “Ooh La La.” It also may be notable to mention that Wolfhard is working on a biopic of The Replacements. Suffice to say, his music taste is impressive, and it trickles down to his audience, too.
Unlike his “Stranger Things” co-stars Joe Keery (Djo) and Maya Hawke whose crowds can often be an extended show fan fest, Wolfhard’s Lolla draw brought a different mix. Yes, he had the obvious flock, but there were also quieter, elder indie rock listeners watching along.
He didn’t have much to greet them with. “There’s not much to say but thanks for coming out,” he said in a rare moment of stage banter. But maybe in another environment next time, he’ll have more to offer.