You may either love or hate Pitchfork’s skewed music reviews and god-like worship of Kanye West but you have to admit they put on a pretty good festival every year. This year’s lineup is another diverse collection of acts ranging from folk to rap and everything in between. We’ll be there this year and here’s some of the acts we’re looking forward to on Saturday.
Jimmy Whispers | 1:30PM at the Green Stage
Pitchfork’s latest unsung hero of lo-fi bedroom rock was once the frontman of Chicago psych-pop group Light Pollution, a band I can recall opening for the likes of DIIV, Deerhunter, and The Pillows nearly a decade ago. James Cicero took on the moniker Jimmy Whispers after the demise of Light Pollution and began performing sentimental songs from the point-of-view of the classic loner archetype. His songs can you hit hard when you least expect it and are incredibly heartfelt but playful. His first full length Summer In Pain is available now on Moniker Records.
Protomartyr | 1:45PM at the Red Stage
Hailing from Detroit and hitting Pitchfork’s Red Stage early on Saturday is post-punk outfit Protomartyr. Just this week, Protomartyr announced their upcoming album, The Agent Intellect, due October 2015. From that album, they shared track “Why Does It Shake?”. We’re hoping to hear one of its first performances this weekend. Listen below:
Kurt Vile & the Violators | 4:15PM at the Green Stage
With a new album in the works for later this year and 2013’s Walking On A Pretty Daze still ringing in our ears we couldn’t be more excited to see Kurt Vile (again). His indie-folk beginnings have slowly but surely mutated into more avant-garde compositions and extended psychedelic live jams that draw you in and don’t let go. Hopefully we’ll see a few new songs Saturday on the Green Stage as well as some classics.
Sleater-Kinney | 8:30PM at the Green Stage
I spent my teen years devouring Sleater-Kinney albums and I’d have to admit I was damn heartbroken when I heard news of their “Indefinite hiatus” back in 2006. They left on an incredible high note, their 2005 album The Woods. It blew me away on first listen and is still a powerful example of what the band is capable of. The stars have aligned and Sleater-Kinney are back with so much buzz and confidence that you’d think they never left us. Their latest LP No Cities To Love marked their return to the Sub Pop family after 10 years away and picks up right where they left off. I saw them then, and I’ve seen them now, and they will always be one of the best live acts around. Don’t miss them Saturday night.
Vic Mensa | 8:45PM at the Blue Stage
Some might know Vic Mensa from his start with Kids These Days; some might know him from his collaborations with Chance the Rapper and Kanye West. Either way, this Chicago hip hop artist is kicking ass is major ways. Mensa has come a long way since his debut mixtape, Straight Up, in 2010, and is positioning himself as a key player in Chicago’s hip hop scene. Watch his most recent video and collaboration with Kanye West, “U Mad”, to get amped for his headlining performance on the Blue Stage.
Other highlights for us include Bully, Ex-Hex, Ariel Pink, Parquet Courts, The New Pornographers, and more!
Stay tuned throughout the week for more of our “Pitchfork Must-Sees” and be sure to keep up with us this weekend as we post photos and other goodies from the festival grounds!
Pitchfork Music Festival Official | Full Lineup & Schedule