LOS ANGELES: K-Pop star J-Hope of the boy band sensation BTS will perform this month as the finale act at Chicago's annual Lollapalooza show, becoming the first South Korean artist to headline a major U.S. musical festival, organizers said on Tuesday.
J-Hope, 28, who made his debut as a member of BTS in 2013 and released his first solo mixtape five years later, is slated to close the four-day Lollapalooza festival with a main-stage performance on July 31, according to Live Nation Entertainment.
The billing of J-Hope comes barely a month after the seven members of BTS (short for the Korean phrase Bangtan Sonyeondan, or "Bulletproof Boys") said they were taking a break from musical ventures as a group to pursue solo projects.
Live Nation also announced that the five-member South Korean boy band Tomorrow X Together, also known as TXT, are billed to perform at Lollapalooza on July 30, marking their U.S. festival debut.
Welcoming both acts to the "Lollapalooza family,” festival founder Perry Farrell said in a statement: “Their global audience speak different languages but possess an intense passion for their music. ... These are the superstars of the global phenomenon of K-Pop."
J-Hope, a rapper, songwriter and dancer, was the third member to join BTS, also known as the Bangtan Boys, as a trainee of the septet, after RM and Suga.
His 2018 debut solo mixtape, "Hope World," peaked at No. 38 on the Billboard 200, making him the highest-ranking solo Korean artist on the U.S. album chart at the time, according to Wikipedia.
Still, his solo following pales in comparison to the blockbuster global success of BTS, the best-selling act in South Korean history, with over 30 million albums sold, and one of the few recording groups since the Beatles in the 1960s to have charted four U.S. No. 1 albums in less than two years.
Lollapalooza, which began as a touring show in 1991, has since made Chicago's Grant Park its annual venue and ranks as one of the leading events on the U.S. musical festival circuit.
Reuters
Thu Jul 21 2022
J-Hope makes history as first South Korean artist to headline major US festival. - REUTERS
Immediate allocation of RM150 mln for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
Minimum wage to increase to RM1,700 effective Feb 1, 2025
The Progressive Wage Policy would be fully enforced next year with an allocation of RM200 million, benefiting 50,000 workers.
Bursa Malaysia ends higher on Budget 2025 optimism
The benchmark index, which opened 1.85 points higher at 1,643.29, moved between 1,641.71 and 1,649.31 throughout the trading session.
Five important aspects relating to people’s lives in Budget 2025 - PM
The focus is on driving the MADANI Economy, speeding reforms, cutting red tape, raising wages, and tackling the cost of living.
Economic outlook: Govt plans to leverage, expand existing city transit system
The expansion aims to provide a more efficient and reliable public transportation network, reduce congestion, and improve accessibility.
Economic outlook: Budget 2025 to lay foundation for a digital-driven economy
The report said Budget 2025 will entail efforts to position Kuala Lumpur as a top 20 global startup hub by 2030 through the KL20 initiative.
Economic outlook: Corruption and lack of accountability hinder economic progress
Special Cabinet Committee on National governance is established to curb corruption, law reforms to modernise outdate regulations, MoF said.
National Wages Consultative Council will be strengthened
The govt will also incentivise hiring women returning from career breaks, offer job matching and improve care services facilities.
Economic outlook: Ensuring 11 years of compulsory education for all children
Budget 2025 will continue prioritising upskilling and retraining initiatives to equip workers with the latest skill sets necessary.
Consolidated public sector projected to record lower surplus of RM41.7 bil 2024
The MoF said the consolidated general government revenue is estimated to increase slightly to RM384.7 billion in 2024.
PM announces substantial Budget 2025 hastening Malaysia to become Asian economic powerhouse
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said it would create jobs and also tackle financial leakages to enhance public spending efficiency.
Fatwa gazetted declaring GISB deviates from true Islamic teachings - MAIS
The ban includes any teachings or practices similar to those associated with GISB.
Budget 2025 allocation at RM421 billion, up 3.3 per cent from last year
The government has allocated RM421 billion, or 20.2 per cent of the GDP, for Budget 2025.
Malaysian mothers cheer vote to fix 'sexist' constitution
The legislation still needs to be approved by the upper house, but campaigners are hopeful it should go through.
Sinwar's death came at the end of months of searching by Israel
The operation which finally killed Yahya Sinwar was not a planned and targeted strike, Israeli officials said.
Najib regrets over SRC International losses, High Court heard
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak admitted at the High Court that he has certain regrets over the losses facing SRC International Sdn Bhd.
Smashed hotel room, narcotics found as Liam Payne death probe unfolds
Liam Payne died of multiple traumas and internal bleeding after plunging from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, prosecutors said.
Billionaire Cuban stumps for Harris as Musk hits trail for Trump
Mark Cuban calls Donald Trump's plan to impose tariffs on 60 pct of Chinese goods a "crazy notion" that will ultimately hurt consumers.
Malaysia’s trade records 10.2 per cent jump, exceeds RM2 trillion mark in first nine months of 2024
According to the World Trade Organisation's forecast, Asia's exports are expected to rise by 7.4 per cent in 2024.