Tens of thousands of independent music fans will descend upon Chicago’s Union Park this weekend for the eighth annual Pitchfork Music Festival. Founded by the distinguished Pitchfork Media, the festival has steadily grown since its inception due to its laid-back atmosphere and always-eclectic lineup. After all, where else can you see cult rapper Lil B, doom rockers Swans, and R&B legend R. Kelly in one weekend?
A Pitchfork attendee since 2008, I will take on Chicago this weekend to observe, enjoy, and report all the important happenings. But—it is imperative that a festivalgoer be prepared in his craft, so we at Jonk Music have provided some “must-see” acts at Pitchfork 2013.
Daughn Gibson
FRIDAY, 3:30 PM, RED STAGE
A former truck driver with a dark, yearning baritone, Daughn Gibson’s colorful palette dabbles in everything from lo-fi country tales to psyched out electronic jams. His Pitchfork appearance on Friday precedes a show at Madison’s High Noon Saloon on Sunday, July 21. So…you really have no excuse to not see him. Andrew Brandt recently reviewed Gibson’s new album, Me Moan.
Mac DeMarco
FRIDAY, 4:35 PM, GREEN STAGE
Mac DeMarco has been good to us Madisonians. Between a March soireé at High Noon Saloon and an appearance on Memorial Union’s Terrace, Mr. DeMarco has displayed his party-starting abilities. DeMarco’s chaotic live show is an entirely different beast than his tamer home-recorded albums. Check out my interview with Mac from back in March.
Wire
FRIDAY, 6:25 PM, GREEN STAGE
UK post-punk veterans Wire have really stood the test of time. Listening to the textural grooves on 154 is as exhilarating an experience today as it was in 1979. Though Wire could have gotten by on touring their timeless catalog, the band elected to put out a new album, Change Becomes Us, earlier this year. Like any and every Wire album, it received rave reviews.
Parquet Courts
SATURDAY, 2:50 PM, BLUE STAGE
Parquet Courts relish in the simple things: drinking beers, scraping rent together, making jams. The NYC-via-Austin four-piece have found success with their debut record, a collection of culturally rich, oft-hilarious tales called Light Up Gold.
Rustie
SATURDAY, 8:45 PM, BLUE STAGE
Though Belle & Sebastian are classic, the obvious choice for a youngin’ on Saturday night is Rustie. The rising UK producer has released a string of remixes and singles, in addition to an LP on Warp. Something like a (far) less self-indulgent Skrillex, Rustie blends tasteful house grooves with the obligatory mechanical sounds that everyone, myself included, seems to love.
DJ Rashad
SUNDAY, 1:00 PM, BLUE STAGE
A veteran of Chicago’s esteemed juke scene, DJ Rashad blends classic Chicago house with the more modern sound of frenetic drum machines. It will be interesting to see how DJ Rashad’s early afternoon timeslot resonates with the crowd but, regardless, the opportunity to see such an influential player in Chicago’s electronic scene shouldn’t be passed up.
Foxygen
SUNDAY, 1:45 PM, RED STAGE
Foxygen’s Sam France and Jonathan Rado blend elements of classic rock, bubblegum pop, and psychedelia for a result that’s as utterly catchy and captivating as it is unpredictable. The antics of frontman and Mick Jagger enthusiast Sam France are well-documented — France had a “meltdown” at SXSW and has cancelled numerous dates due to exhaustion — so the chance to revel in Foxygenized glory this Sunday should be mandatory for all.
M.I.A.
SUNDAY, 7:25 PM, RED STAGE
Maya Arulpragasm is a multi-faceted artist/musician who’s set to release her fourth LP later this year. To say that M.I.A.’s sound is unique would be quite an understatement, as it’s some of the most unprecedented, genre-drunk stuff to come out this century. Her talent for fusing elements of hip-hop, dub, worldbeat, and indie pop leads to a catchy, cohesive sound that’s just… well… M.I.A.
TNGHT
SUNDAY, 8:45 PM, BLUE STAGE
Famed producers Lunice and Hudson Mohawke make up the electronic wonder-duo TNGHT. The group, with a mere one EP under their belt, has managed to forge a massive online presence with over 5 million Spotify streams. The reason for their success? Their tracks are colossal electronic jams that sound unlike anything else. TNGHT will give an “epic” (I don’t use this word lightly like my pre-pubescent, videogaming brothers do) finish to an already epic festival.