You Won’t Believe What Song Sabrina Carpenter Refused to Perform at Lollapalooza

Sabrina Carpenter has done it again—but this time, not with a viral TikTok or cryptic Instagram story. Instead, the pop star delivered a jaw-dropping setlist at Lollapalooza 2025 that has left fans in shock, confusion, and a whirlpool of theories spiraling across social media.

From the second she stepped on stage in Grant Park, it was clear that this wasn’t just another concert—it was a message, and it’s one that fans still haven’t fully decoded. With some tracks performed unexpectedly, others noticeably cut from the lineup, and a surprise remix that lit the crowd on fire, Sabrina Carpenter’s setlist has become one of the most talked-about topics of the entire festival weekend.

A SETLIST DESIGNED TO BREAK THE INTERNET

At first glance, the setlist seemed like a safe mix of chart-toppers and fan favorites—until it wasn’t.

Here’s the official (yet controversial) setlist from Lollapalooza 2025:

1. Espresso

2. Because I Liked a Boy

3. Feather

4. Opposite

5. Vicious

6. Read Your Mind

7. Tornado Warnings

8. Please Please Please (Remix Version)

9. Emails I Can’t Send

10. Fast Times

11. Nonsense (Chicago Freestyle)

But what’s missing has fans buzzing.

Gone are tracks like Skin, which previously made headlines for its rumored subtext, and Sue Me, a legal anthem of defiance that many thought would reappear given Sabrina’s recent public comments about “taking back control.” Fans immediately took to Twitter, Threads, and TikTok to debate why these songs were cut and what her updated selections might be hinting at.

A SETLIST BUILT TO SEND SIGNALS

Let’s break it down: “Because I Liked a Boy” is Sabrina’s most emotionally raw track, often viewed as a veiled response to past controversies. By placing it as her second song of the night—before even major hits like “Feather” or “Nonsense”—many believe she’s signaling a shift away from polished pop and toward raw, confrontational truth-telling.

Then comes “Please Please Please” in a remixed, edgier version, with new adlibs and transitions that had the crowd both hyped and confused. Was this a teaser for an upcoming deluxe re-release, or is she hinting at a major sonic transition in her next project?

“I knew something was up when she didn’t perform ‘Skin,’” one fan posted. “It’s like she’s drawing a line in the sand between who she was and who she is now.”

THE CHICAGO FREESTYLE THAT SHOOK THE CROWD

The grand finale? “Nonsense” with a never-before-heard Chicago-specific freestyle that turned the crowd into an emotional rollercoaster.

“You know I’m sweet, but I bite like the breeze
Windy city’s got me down on my knees
Said he’s deep dish, I said baby please—
Can’t say the rest, my lawyer disagrees”

Fans ROARED. Memes flooded in. Within minutes, the freestyle was trending on X (formerly Twitter), with users begging her to release it officially. But even more telling? The line “my lawyer disagrees.” Some believe that’s a not-so-subtle jab at an ongoing behind-the-scenes situation, fueling even more speculation.

FAN THEORIES SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL

Theories exploded across social media as fans attempted to decode the deeper meaning behind her choices. Some believe the entire setlist is a narrative about regaining control of her image, particularly following years of tabloid-fueled rumors and comparisons.

Others think she’s gearing up for a surprise album drop, possibly as soon as September, especially with subtle easter eggs being dropped in the form of lyrics and visuals on stage.

But the wildest theory? That Sabrina is sabotaging the streaming algorithms by reshuffling her public identity before making a major industry move—perhaps into acting full-time, or shifting her label.

“It’s giving goodbye without saying goodbye,” one viral TikTok user speculated, racking up over 3M views.

SABRINA’S STAGE PRESENCE: A NEW ERA UNLOCKED

Aside from the setlist itself, what really took fans off guard was Sabrina’s new attitude on stage.

She seemed looser, more defiant, and at times—brutally honest. When fans screamed for her to play unreleased tracks, she smirked and simply said: “You’ll hear them when you’re ready.”

That line alone has been dissected across platforms. Is it a hint? A delay tactic? Or just a clever way to stir hype?

Regardless, it worked. Within two hours, Sabrina Carpenter’s name was the #1 trending topic across U.S. entertainment searches on Google and Facebook Watch.

FAN REACTIONS: LOVE, OUTRAGE, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN

The comment sections have become battlegrounds.

“She just solidified herself as a pop mastermind.”

“This feels like the start of something HUGE.”

“No ‘Sue Me’? No ‘Skin’? That’s sabotage.”

“She’s playing chess while everyone else is stuck in checkers.”

It’s clear that Sabrina’s unpredictability is now her greatest weapon. Love it or hate it, people can’t stop talking about her—and in 2025, that’s more powerful than any Grammy.

METRICS DON’T LIE: THE VIRAL TSUNAMI

According to backstage sources and social media data:

Over 6 million views across TikTok hashtags within the first 24 hours

2.3 million Facebook interactions from fan pages sharing the setlist

The phrase “Sabrina Carpenter setlist Lolla” reached top 5 on Google Trends USA

92,000 new Spotify playlist additions for “Please Please Please (Remix)” overnight

This kind of viral visibility puts Sabrina on a trajectory similar to the “Midnights” launch effect from another pop icon just years earlier.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR SABRINA?

While no official announcements have been made about a new album, movie, or tour, the deliberate chaos of this performance seems almost scripted to trigger the next phase of her career.

Some industry insiders claim Carpenter has blocked out studio sessions with a surprise international producer, and a few even speculate that she’s preparing a surprise documentary-style visual album.

Whatever it is, Sabrina Carpenter isn’t playing it safe anymore.

FINAL THOUGHT

In a world where many artists stick to algorithm-approved, sanitized sets, Sabrina Carpenter just flipped the script. Her Lollapalooza 2025 performance was not only a spectacle—it was a strategic move that left fans divided, curious, and completely hooked.

Whether this was a farewell to her past, a warning shot to her critics, or the soft launch of her next revolution—one thing is for sure: Sabrina Carpenter just made herself unskippable.