2014 marks the ninth year that Pitchfork Music Festival will rock Chicago’s Union Park. Unlike most festivals, where the trend seems to be the bigger the better, Pitchfork Media knows that stagnating the size of their gala works in both their and their fans’ favors.
In my humble opinion, there isn’t a better bang-for-your-buck weekend in the entire summer festival circuit. And this year’s lineup looks to be its best yet even after the loss of Death Grips, who let go of all of their future gigs, forever.
Chicago native Kanye West once reminded us that diamonds are forever, and I’m here to remind you that your memories of next weekend will last just as long. That being said, here are 10 performers that you really, really don’t want to miss.
Sharon Van Etten
FRIDAY, 5:30 PM, RED STAGE
Sharon has been on her cathartic-album grind for half of a decade now, and I think this year’s self-produced Are We There is the culmination of all of the blood, sweat, and tears she’s put towards her career thus far. Friday happens is a pretty ideal set time for her, too; her haunting vocals will drive the sun into setting.
Sun Kil Moon
FRIDAY, 6:25 PM, GREEN STAGE
Mark Kozelek has been honing his sad-song skills since the early ’90s, first as Red House Painters and now as Sun Kil Moon. Surprisingly, 2014 is the year he’s finally hit it big, thanks to his hour-long funeral-fest, Benji. His set is sure to be both a humbling and life-affirming event.
Wild Beasts
SATURDAY, 2:30 PM, GREEN STAGE
The oft-underrated Wild Beasts have been jabbed again, but I couldn’t be happier. By playing at 2:30 (2:30!) on Saturday, there’ll be no other big name to keep anyone from enjoying their set. Yes, it’ll be a semi-self-deprecating start to the day, but enjoyable nonetheless.
Pusha T
SATURDAY, 4:15 PM, GREEN STAGE
I caught Pusha at Bonnaroo last month, and it was the by far the most thirsty crowd of the weekend. With My Name is My Name finally seeing its release last fall, this feels like Pusha’s summer to shine. Expect: Kanye guest verses, a few Clipse tracks, and plenty of hits from MNIMN. Don’t expect: Kendrick to show up a day early for “Nosetalgia.”
St. Vincent
SATURDAY, 7:25 PM, RED STAGE
It may have taken four albums for St. Vincent to be comfortable enough to make a self-titled one, but she’s been snugly slaying stages for years. Look for her stunning fretwork and singing to be up to its usual yet impressive par on Saturday evening.
Neutral Milk Hotel
SATURDAY, 8:30 PM, GREEN STAGE
Neutral Milk Hotel’s reunion appears to have no end in sight, but don’t bank on seeing this play out elsewhere. The second coming of Jeff Magnum and Co. is seriously a big ass deal, especially since In the Aeroplane Over the Sea is sure to be their headlining set’s backbone.
Speedy Ortiz
SUNDAY, 1:00 PM, BLUE STAGE
Speedy Ortiz are an ultra-smart and scrappy crew from Massachusetts who write and record biting rock tunes. For some reason I always think of them as underdogs, even though their credentials seem to suggest otherwise. Like Cloud Nothings (who’re on the Red Stage on Saturday), their live show is a distorted masterpiece of energy and raw talent.
Deafheaven
SUNDAY, 2:30 PM, GREEN STAGE
Deafheaven is the only metal—and arguably the only hardcore—band at Pitchfork this year. While their set is sure to be a good one, I’m most excited to see how their light, dark, and light-and-then-dark tracks off of last year’s Sunbather play out on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
Majical Cloudz
SUNDAY, 5:45 PM, BLUE STAGE
Majical Cloudz’s 2013 release, Impersonator, was essentially a clinic for how to make effective minimalist music. Singer Devon Welsh is rumored to be more intense in person than on record (if you can even fathom that). Here’s to hoping he bares his soul on Sunday—and glares into yours as well.
Grimes
SUNDAY, 7:25 PM, RED STAGE
Grimes’ “Oblivion” was the soundtrack to my life circa 2012. Her latest single, “Go,” was originally written for Rihanna and it finds the singer-songwriter on a pop-paved path. It’ll be interesting to see if Grimes has re-worked her older material to fit her new image; at the very least her set will be a fitting warm-up for Kendrick Lamar’s headlining performance.