Under the blazing Chicago sun in iconic Grant Park, we had the pleasure of catching up with Charley Yang, better known to fans as BoyWithUke. The singer, musician, and social media sensation first burst into the scene with his viral TikTok hit “Two Moons” in 2021. His distinct musical style, marked by his signature LED mask, captured the attention of millions and made him a internet phenomenon basically overnight. Recently, Charley unveiled his true identity at the end of his “Homesick” music video, opening the door to a new chapter in his career. With his recent Lucid Dreams Tour quickly selling out and his newest single “Ghost” dropping just days prior, BoyWithUke was ready to deliver an unforgettable performance at the festival. Dive into our conversation below to discover more about his latest musical evolution and what fans can expect from his upcoming EP, Burnout.
Preparing to step onto the Bacardi stage at Lollapalooza, BoyWithUke finds himself both in awe and reflective. The gravity of performing at such a massive festival seems to strike him in waves. “Sometimes it feels real, sometimes it doesn’t,” he admits. “Growing up, Lolla wasn’t really something I was interested in. But now that I’m here, I recognize the scale of it. I’m very thankful – thankful for my position right now.”
This performance comes at a pivotal time in BoyWithUke’s career. His latest single “Ghost,” released on August 1, marks a creative evolution with the incorporation of live drums. “Oh my god, as soon as I added live drums and I heard it in the song, I was like, holy shit!” he exclaims. The subtle yet impactful addition has invigorated his music, leading him to introduce live drums into several other tracks. “It’s like an entirely new dimension of music that I can tap into,” he adds, clearly thrilled by this fresh direction.
Looking ahead, BoyWithUke’s upcoming EP, Burnout, represents an important shift. He sees it as a farewell to his current masked persona. “I think Burnout is… a goodbye to BoyWithUke as we know it,” he reveals. “I do think it’s my last album as BoyWithUke, and I think after that I wanna make real shit – real music.” For him, the next phase is about authenticity, prioritizing personal expression over metrics and social media pressures. “Just making the kind of stuff that I would want to listen to.”
His evolving tastes are reflected in his current playlist. He’s been diving into the sounds of Steve Lacy and Twenty One Pilots, with a recent appreciation for Charlie XCX’s new album. “It’s pretty fire,” he says with a laugh. He also gives a nod to Chappell Roan, with a smile noting, “I mean, who isn’t listening to Chappell?!” In addition, he highlights artists like Dominic Fike, Will Paquin, Los Retros, Nujabes, and The Strokes as musicians worth checking out.
When it comes to his festival experience, he’s been soaking in performances with genuine enthusiasm. “I saw a bit of SZA’s performance yesterday, and it was really good,” he shares. He was also struck by the nostalgic vibes of Zedd‘s set. Looking ahead, he was particularly interested in catching both Tate McRae and Metro Boomin, and while some friends planned to see The Killers, BoyWithUke was here to savor every moment of his Lollapalooza experience. “Yeah, I’m just here to have a good time!” he says with excitement.
As BoyWithUke navigates his first Lollapalooza performance, the festival serves as both a milestone and a reflection of his evolving journey. His blend of appreciation for the moment and anticipation for future endeavors promises that this is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter in his career.
Portraits by Ann Storlie
Interview by Ann Storlie and Sarah Peter
Keep Up With BoyWithUke: Website // Instagram // Facebook // YouTube
