Lollapalooza Suspended Due To Weather

Lollapalooza has been shut down and the festival grounds evacuated as heavy storms roll into Chicago.

Festival organizers decided to suspend the fest in light of National Weather Service reports of severe thunderstorms and began escorting attendees to pre-determined evacuation zones. Fans are being told that the events are on hold until at least 6 p.m. Central Time, when organizers will determine whether or not to allow attendees back into Grant Park.

The evacuation was announced from the stages at 3:30 CT, postponing afternoon sets from bands like fun., Alabama Shakes and The Weeknd, the latter of whom tweeted he hoped to play by 7:30. Attendees were evacuated to three official locations, while many downtown Chicago hotels were flooded with guests and Lolla-goers alike.

Around 4:45 pm, folk-rock group The Dunwells played an impromptu 2-song set at the Hilton's Normandie Lounge while they waited to confirm a new time for their set at the BMI stage. Also at the Hilton, Spoon lead singer Britt Daniel, also of Divine Fits, headed down to the lobby to "check out the chaos," as he told Billboard.

"Our first priority is always the safety of our fans, staff and artists," said Shelby Meade, communications director for C3 Presents, in a statement posted to the festival's website. "We regret having to suspend any show, but safety always comes first."

Update (6:56 p.m. ET): The gates at Lollapalooza have just re-opened, to the tune of the Star Wars theme. Updated set times can be found here.