New Constellations Brings the Lolla Aftershow Energy — Rain Gear Required
New Constellations takes the stage for an official Lollapalooza aftershow at Garcia’s Chicago on August 1 at 11:00 PM CT, and the National Weather Service says the outdoor crowd should come ready for wet weather. The overnight forecast calls for showers and thunderstorms, a low around 68°F, and east southeast wind near 20 mph, with a 100% chance of precipitation and new rainfall between a half and three-quarters of an inch.
Since Garcia’s Chicago is an outdoor venue, this isn’t a “maybe bring a jacket” situation — it’s a plan-around-it situation.
What to Wear
With a low near 68°F, temps alone won’t be the issue — it’s the combination of steady rain and 20 mph wind that’ll make or break your night. Skip anything cotton (it won’t dry between downpours) and dress in layers you don’t mind getting damp. A packable rain jacket is the single most useful thing you can bring — it keeps your core dry without adding bulk, and it packs down small enough to stash if the storms clear early.
Footwear matters just as much here. Standing in a field with three-quarters of an inch of fresh rain underfoot means soaked sneakers by set two. Waterproof hiking boots will keep your feet dry and give you better footing on muddy ground than anything open-toed.
One thing we’re not recommending tonight: an umbrella. At 20 mph, a compact travel umbrella is more likely to turn inside out (or into a projectile near other fans) than keep you dry — a hood and a good rain jacket will serve you far better.
Aftershow Gear That Actually Matters
Rep your New Constellations fandom if you’ve got the gear, but the real MVP tonight is your phone. Thunderstorms plus a packed outdoor crowd is a recipe for spotty service and a fast-draining battery from everyone trying to check radar at once. A portable phone charger 20000mah means you can keep tracking the storm cell — and keep your ride-share app alive — without watching your battery bar disappear.
Practical Tips for the Night
Build in extra time to get to Garcia’s Chicago — rain slows both traffic and entry lines, and a 100% chance of precipitation means the walk from parking or your rideshare drop-off will be wet no matter what. Check the venue’s bag policy before you head out, and plan for lightning delays: outdoor shows in active thunderstorms sometimes pause for safety, so don’t cut your arrival time too close to 11 PM.
Bottom Line
This is a rain-jacket-and-boots night, not a cute-outfit night. Pack for the storm the NWS is calling for — half to three-quarters of an inch of rain, wind near 20 mph, temps near 68°F — and you’ll be dancing through New Constellations’ set instead of shivering through it.