13 is hopefully the magic number for the 2018 edition of the Pitchfork Music Festival which takes place July 20 – 22 at Union Park. With the festival circuit taking some casualties this year due to some notable event cancellations, Pitchfork continues to persevere amidst the chaos and uncertainty of the ‘’festival bubble‘’. Another spectrum covering line up that counts the folk of Julie Byrne, noise rockers Japandroids, R&B veteran Lauryn Hill and electronic auteur Mount Kimbie amongst some of the offerings to explore across 3 days of performances. This year also brings a heavy dose of hometown love with over a dozen artists hailing from the Chicago area. Upstarts such as Melkbelly, Nnamdi Ogbonnaya and Open Mike Eagle to living legend Chaka Khan will grace the stages at Union Park. Here are 5 acts you should not miss.
The Stadium Rock Heir Apparent: Tame Impala
Performing Friday @ 8:30pm on The Green Stage
Musical mastermind Kevin Parker, knows no bounds with his band Tame Impala, which now prepares to potentially bring new music since releasing their 3rd album ’’Currents’’ in 2015 to Union Park as the first of 3 headliners over the weekend. While bending and blurring the lines between pop, rock, psych, soul or anything else that enters Parkers mind, Tame Impala have slowly grown into what will be an unstoppable juggernaut whenever their next album is released. Big sounds, beautiful vocals and mind numbing visuals are the standard for any Tame Impala live show, and Friday night at Union Park will be no exception.
The Future Toast Of Chi Town: Ravyn Lenae
Performing Sunday @ 3:20pm on The Red Stage
Mature beyond her years and paying homage to the likes of Erykah Badu and Outkast, emerging Chicago artist Ravyn Lenae is ready to take the music world by storm. Her newest EP ’’Crush’’ completes a trilogy of releases that showcase Lenae’s pursuit of forward thinking R&B. Her voice soars with boundless energy on ‘’4 Leaf Clover’’, which features Steve Lacy who will also be at the festival as a backing band member for Syd aka The Internet. ( Could there be a guest appearance? ) In the live setting Lenae strives to break that barrier between audience and performer, making even the largest audiences feel ever so intimate. Be sure to grab a spot at the red stage for this set, as its sure to be a memorable one.
The Indie Pop Heartthrob: Alex Cameron
Performing Sunday @ 5:15pm on The Blue Stage
With power ballads, addictive hooks and a slight homage to the likes of mid 80’s Springsteen on his latest release ’’Forced Witness’’, the Sydney Australia native Alex Cameron blends it all into pure charisma. He brings a sort of satirical disposition to both song lyrics and live performance with an ease that makes you wonder if this actually real life. Joined onstage with a full backing band which is highlighted by saxophonist and proclaimed ‘’Business Partner’’ Roy Molloy, the two have an undeniable chemistry onstage that will make anyone dance.
The Underground Legacy Act: This Is Not This Heat
Performing Saturday @ 6:30pm on The Blue Stage
Back together after disbanding over 35 years ago, surviving members Charles Bullen and Charles Hayward of This Heat, have returned after what could be seen as a state of hibernation. Their experimental and avant garde form of rock feels perfectly in place within the current musical landscape, that one could argue that This Heat was so far ahead of the curve, that they had to go away in order for their contemporaries to catch up. Pitchfork Festival alums such as LCD Soundsystem, Danny Brown and Hot Chip have paid tribute to the group in their own music via samples and lyrics. That in itself should warrant some time spent at their set before entering the festivals evening offerings.
The Synthesizer Queen: Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith
Performing Saturday @ 2:45pm on The Blue Stage
In a live setting, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith surrounds herself with a plethora of equipment which she seamlessly uses transport an audience to the vast reaches of space and time. All it took for Smith to get here was a mention of composer Terry Riley and the dive into the world of synthesizers began. Her neighbor at the time lent her an array of Buchla synthesizers for a year and Smith taught herself how to use the instrument. With her most current release ‘’The Kid’’, Smith interweaves vaporous vocals, intricate orchestral arrangements and a more focused pop sensibility than in previous outings. You can surely expect to be taken on a cosmic journey of synthesis even at such an early time of the day, so be prepared.
SET TIMES – FRIDAY
SET TIMES – SATURDAY
SET TIMES – SUNDAY
3 day, single day and +PLUS Passes are available to purchase here. Also just announced are a slew of after shows featuring Zola Jesus, Paul Cherry, The Curls, Kweku Collins and more. Tickets for all the after shows are onsale now!
BUY PASSES: July 20th – 22nd: Pitchfork Music Festival 2018 at Union Park (CHICAGO, IL)
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