It’s getting that time of the year when a slew of festivals are releasing their lineups which will be received with excitement or utter disappointment. We all know festivals like Bonnaroo (decent lineup this year) and Coachella (very good lineup this year), but I would like to give you an early update on what is a truly a festival to get excited about. Pitchfork.com is a daily visit for me, so why not give the website and their yearly festival a little bit of recognition.
Taking place as always in Chicago, Union Park to be exact, on July 16-18 is the Pitchfork Music Festival. An announcement was made late last week regarding the festival and the early signs are that this will be an outstanding weekend of music and one that I will try to attend for several reasons. It really could all be summed up in one word: Pavement. Need I say more? Stephen Malkmus will forever be my indie hero, some may say I have a man-crush on him. The indie legends, and that’s what they are, have been slated as the headliners for the closing night of the festival. This is just one stop on their reunion trek across the world. I don’t want to turn any readers away, but if you have not listened to “Slanted and Enchanted” could you please stop reading. News of a Pavement reunion was something to get excited about, but their addition to the Pitchfork Music Festival makes an indie nerd blow his…well I won’t go there.
Another artist I was excited to see on the lineup and better yet the same day as Pavement (Did I mention Pavement is going to be there?) is Cass McCombs. I’m sure he is unknown to most of you, he was unknown to me until I discovered his absolutely moving album “Catacombs”. Do yourself a favor and look this immensely talented man up, you won’t be disappointed. The inclusion of Pitchfork favorites, Wu-Tang alum Raekwon and hipster songstress St. Vincent, were no surprise. Alternative acts Modest Mouse and LCD Soundsystem were also announced for the festival.
Now if you want to make the weekend trip up to Chicago, like I’m hoping to, you can get a weekend pass for $90. If you want to just go for a day you can purchase a day pass for $40. With this lineup already announced and many more acts forthcoming, I would recommend just buying a weekend pass since it is pretty affordable.
I’d like to take this time to just express some of my hopes for those forthcoming announcements. To me, Pitchfork picks favorites and shows a bias to certain artists and bands. Their favorites seem to always play this festival at some point. I’m personally hoping that other Pitchfork favorites like Girls, Dirty Projectors, Beach House, Phoenix, and above all Real Estate are added to the lineup. Real Estate would be a highlight of the lineup for me, they are a fantastic new band that you should also check out. I can see some of those acts being added, but for now that is just wishful thinking. Here is the lineup as it is right now:
Friday, July 16:
Saturday, July 17:
LCD Soundsystem
Raekwon
Sunday, July 18:
Pavement
St. Vincent
Lightning Bolt
Cass McCombs
Sleigh Bells
Here We Go Magic
I know that personally, I was excited to see Modest Mouse on the line up. They’ve always been someone I have wanted to see!
I think Sunday is just a mind blowing day. Cass McCombs and St. Vincent on the same day as Pavement is amazing. Watch out for Sleigh Bells they are really good and could steal the show.
[...] be opening for the New Pornographers for month of May and will also be making an appearance at the Pitchfork Music Festival. White Rabbits will be playing one date with the Flaming Lips, the Dead Weather, and Minus the [...]
Between me and my husband we’ve owned more MP3 players over the years than I can count, including Sansas, iRivers, iPods (classic & touch), the Ibiza Rhapsody, etc. But, the last few years I’ve settled down to one line of players. Why? Because I was happy to discover how well-designed and fun to use the underappreciated (and widely mocked) Zunes are.