Pitchfork Music Festival returns to Chicago's Union Park this weekend, July 13 - 15. For college radio listeners, and alternative rock and indie music fans, this is one of the best annual gatherings of performers. As usual, it will be infernally hot, but as veteran Pitchforkers know, there are many less people to contend with than a typical summer festival, due to a smaller space than Lollapalooza's Grant Park stomping grounds and a ticket selling policy that deliberately cuts off sales at about 20,000 daily to allow more space for concertgoers.
Though it sounds marmish, if you plan on going, wear sunscreen (a hat may be a good idea, too) and stay hydrated. No, hydrated doesn't mean drinking delicious Goose Island 312 brew, although that and several other tasty brews are usually available at the festival. You can bring in factory-sealed bottled water and there is a Whole Foods tent full of fresh produce goodness, including very hydrating melons. As for soothing (without being boring) music that sounds like a big blue sky day, don't miss Cults ("Go Outside") on Saturday and Beach House ("Myths") on Sunday.
There is parallel street parking for blocks around the park, but your best bet is public transportation, especially since there is an El train stop within walking distance of the Pitchfork festival entrance. Food is also generally good, with several Chicago restaurants and decent food vendors providing a wide variety of reasonably priced items.
Here are my daily picks for the festival, and I am being really nice here. If you follow this itinerary, there will be no two acts playing at the same time, though in reality there are over 40 bands on three stages doing just that and competing for your discerning musical attention.
Friday, July 13: Top pick: Feist, 8:20 p.m., Green Stage. The Canadian singer-songwriter took a noncommercial turn in her discography with the recent Metals, which may be a detriment at some megamusic gatherings, but earns her kudos at Pitchfork. She's a crowd friendly live performer, usually bantering with the audience and getting them involved. Although on this latest tour she has generally not been singing her biggest hit, "1234," Leslie Feist has an excellent catalog of music to fill out this headliner set.
Other picks--Dirty Projectors, 7:20, Red Stage; Japandroids, 6:15, Blue Stage.
Saturday, July 14: Top pick: Hot Chip, 7:25 p.m., Red. This versatile band crosses many musical genres, including Erasure-like pop, dance, and world music. Mostly, they will get you to move, whether it's voluntary or not. Hot Chip is one of two headlining acts reportedly due to release new material soon, but if the majority of the set is from their 2010 release One Life Stand, that wouldn't be a bad thing (and the title track is Stamper wedding reception-approved).
Other picks--Godspeed You! Black Emperor, 8:30, Green; Sleigh Bells, 6:15, Green; Wild Flag, 5:15, Red; Cults, 3:20, Red.
Sunday, July 15: Top pick: Vampire Weekend, 8:30 p.m., Green. The other act with new material on the way, these white guys from New England with the African-style beats first appeared in Chicago at 2008's Pitchfork. Four years later, they close the festival with their angular and bouncy sound that has become ubiquitous between their first two recordings' popularity and the television ads featuring their music.
Other picks--Beach House, 7:25, Red; Thee Oh Sees, 2:50, Blue.
As of this posting, weekend passes are sold out and Saturday tickets are gone as well. For purchasing tickets in advance, the complete lineup, and other general information, see http://www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com/.
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