Guide To Pitchfork Music Festival 2014
JULY 15-17, 2011: Thousands flocked to the Pitchfork Music Festival at Union Park in Chicago, Illinois. (credit: Steve Hardy/CBS Local)
Pitchfork Music Festival
Union Park
July 18-20
pitchforkmusicfestival.com
Pitchfork has risen in recent years to stand its own ground against some of the biggest festivals in the nation, including Lollapalooza. This year's Pitchfork raises the ante once again, providing an eclectic mix of music that's hard not to be excited about. Here's what you'll need to know.
You can also read more about Pitchfork Music Festival at WXRT.
Angel Olsen playing at Pitchfork 2013. (Photo Credit: Nancy Bardawil)
Music Highlights
Friday
Having recently released Morning Phase, which hearkens back to the acoustic and moody Sea Change, Beck seems like an ideal headlining act for Friday. Other artists appearing Friday include Giorgio Moroder, Avey Tare's Slasher Flicks, Sun Kil Moon, Sza, Sharon Van Etten, The Haxan Cloak, Neneh Cherry with Rocketnumbernine, Factory Floor, and Hundred Waters.
Saturday
Jeff Mangum's brought the indie rock deity known as Neutral Milk Hotel back to life, which is a good thing for people attending Pitchfork on Saturday. Other bands playing Saturday include FKA Twigs, St. Vincent The Field, Danny Brown, Kelela, Tune-Yards, The Range, Pusha T, Mas Ysa, Empress Of, Wild Beasts, Circulatory System, Ka, and Twin Peaks.
Sleigh Bells at Pitchfork Festival 2010.
(Photo Credit: Nate Azark)
Sunday
Kendrick Lamar, aka the "Hottest MC in the Game," is closing out Pitchfork on Sunday night. Other bands playing Sunday include Hudson Mohawke, Grimes, DJ Spinn, SLowdive, Majical Cloudz, Real Estate, Jon Hopkins, Schoolboy Q, Dum Dum Girls, Earl Sweatshirt, Isaiah Rashad, Deafheaven, Perfect Pussy, DIIV, Mutual Benefit and Speedy Ortiz.
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(Photo by Roger Kisby/Getty Images)
Other Activities
If at any point you get tired of the bellowing of sentimental or nonsensical lyrics, there are plenty of other things to do at Pitchfork Music Festival.
Book Fort
It's not made out of pillows and blankets, but it's still cool.
For those of you who are prose and poetry inclined, there's the Pitchfork Book Fort. Sponsored by Columbia College Chicago and curated by amazing Chicago publisher Curbside Splendor Publishing, the Book Fort will be the place to find Chicago's best books and writers. There are also readings on all three days, which will feature authors as entertaining as the bands at Pitchfork. Find out who's reading at the Facebook event.
Chirp Record Fair
Who cares about books when you can shop for records?! Brought to you by the Chicago Independent Radio Project, Chirp Record Fair will have a huge selection of records for attendees to peruse. There's nothing like buying a record straight from the label!
Art
Not that records and books aren't art...
While at Pitchfork, you'll also be able to check out the Flatstock, which will be showing off the country's best show-poster artists, and the Coterie Craft Fair, which will have the work of 40 jury-selected artists.
(Photo by Roger Kisby/Getty Images)
Transportation
Drive if you want, but have fun finding a parking spot. Seriously, it'll be a huge pain. Ride your bike, or take public transportation! Both are more fun and adventurous. Here are your options that don't involve a motor vehicle:
Biking! Pitchfork would prefer you show up on your fixie, so consider it. They've set up areas specifically to lock your bike up on the northwest side of the festival, which is the southeast corner of Ashland and Lake.
The Ashland-Lake Green/Pink Line "L" train is right beside Union Park, and therefore a great stop for Pitchfork. Doesn't matter what line you live close to, you can always take a train downtown and hop on the Green or Pink line. Easy peasy. If the Metra is more convenient, then you can hop on the BNSF Railway line, The Wester Avenue, Union Station and Halsted stops are all over a mile away, but not two, which makes for an easy enough walk. The CTA will be running extra trains and buses, so you might as well take advantage of them!
What To And Not To Bring
Yes, they will probably search you before you're allowed to enter.
The following items will not be allowed: Tents, flags, lounge chairs, instruments, knives or other weapons, video cameras, audio recording devices, professional cameras (NO cameras with detachable lenses), pets, food, beverages (other than sealed bottled water), drugs or drug paraphernalia.
The following items are A-OK: Digital cameras (non-professional), disposable cameras, film cameras (non-professional), fanny packs, sealed bottled water (important!), backpacks/satchels (medium-sized), hats, sun block, lighters, sunglasses, cigarettes, and folding chairs are permitted.
Got it? If you need any more info, you can find out more at Pitchforkmusicfestival.com.
