Lollapalooza attendees have attracted widespread attention online after footage showed a bag of urine being carried above the audience.
The yearly Chicago festival returned for its 2026 event last week, featuring sets from Olivia Dean, Charli XCX, Tate McRae, Lorde, The xx and The Smashing Pumpkins.
The lineup also featured Geese, Wet Leg, Wolf Alice, Ethel Cain, Turnstile, Lil Uzi Vert, CMAT, Little Simz, Zara Larsson, Clipse, The Neighbourhood, Yungblud, Beabadoobee and Sombr.
The event had already sparked conversation after Lorde invited Charli XCX onto the stage, The Smashing Pumpkins welcomed Olivia Rodrigo, and Charli XCX caused women’s underwear to fall over the audience. However, questions about festival etiquette have now taken over after a video emerged showing concertgoers moving a bag of urine across the crowd.
The widely shared footage shows a liquid filled bag sitting inside a cardboard box as audience members carry it above their heads. The video appeared alongside the caption: “Passing a bag of pee through the crowd is NOT OK”.
The clip quickly gained attention across social media, prompting numerous users to criticise the behaviour and raise concerns about cleanliness at the festival.
“Do people just not understand portal potties? Or is there a major logistics nightmare that is keeping people from accessing the bathrooms,” one viewer asked in the comments. “Is it the crowds not letting people out? I’m so confused why this is a thing?”
Another user responded: “sorry how the fuck does smth like this even begin to happen in the first place?” A third person offered a shorter reaction, writing: “Reason number 847 why I avoid this festival.”
Among the other angry responses, one commenter said: “What is happening at lolla?! This is disgusting. Shitting and peeing in the crowd is just ridiculous. Be an adult, be respectful and go to the porta potty. No artist is worth that!”
A different viewer suggested this type of conduct appears to be happening more often, writing: “What in the actual f is happening at festivals now??!! I have been to countless festivals over the last 20 years and have never once relieved myself anywhere but the bathroom. A couple of close calls, sure but I can’t even imagine.”
Several major performers, including Noah Kahan and Olivia Rodrigo, have also addressed unpleasant hygiene problems among audience members at their concerts in recent months.
In July, Kahan jokingly urged Congress to intervene and make his followers wear diapers during performances after reports of people defecating on the floors at his concerts.
Rodrigo had previously discussed similar incidents at her own show, revealing that she had “smelled” dedicated followers wearing diapers while standing in the front row.
Authorities also opened an investigation after a Morgan Wallen attendee allegedly urinated on a family of four because he reportedly refused to briefly leave the concert for the bathroom. More recently, a performance by New Zealand metal group Devilskin drew attention online after it was reportedly spoiled by “a huge mess of shit, just completely spread all in the mosh pit.”
