The Music

Pitchfork is all about thinking outside the box and disturbing the status quo, and that’s pretty evident as you go throughout the several acts in the day.  While the music is quite eclectic for the average music listener, you’re bound to find a new artist you’ll adore at Pitchfork Fest, regardless of your taste.

At the Blue Stage, we found industry leaders like Jeremih, who just finished his nationwide tour with R&B artist Teyana Taylor, as well as underground artists like Tasha and Neneh Cherry. The Green Stage housed acts like Japanese punk band CHAI, Parquet Courts, and rising star Clairo as she captivated the audience with charm and sass. It also gave a home to Sky Ferreira‘s highly-anticipated set and sister trio HAIM. The Red Stage gave us an exciting blend that included the awe-inspiring voice of Cate le Bon, a Welsh musician with the lightest sound you’ll probably expect at a festival, and the literal musical opposite, JPEGMAFIA. So amazing watching him dominate the crowd with his flare and dramatic moves.

Of course, we can’t forget TheIsley Brothers, who dominated the hits right after golden hour on Day 2. While these artists range in genre, they all have one thing in common—they’re powerhouses of their generations and their fans know it. (Fun Fact: Listen to The Isley Brothers a few times. Notice anything strange? Their music has been sampled by dozens across the industry, including by The Notorious B.I.G., Mac Miller, Logic, and Joey Bada$$. Go figure, huh?)

The Food

While festival food is always the bomb.com, Pitchfork brings a new spin to Chicago cuisine. You can elect for the traditional deep-dish pizza from Connie’s, a favorite amongst Chicago dwellers, or sample some of the vegan cuisine offered by several different vendors. Regardless, you’re bound to find whatever your heart desires here at Pitchfork. Besides the food, the drinks are another highlight of the festival. Within the VIP section (it costs extra but totally worth it), you can enjoy free (yes, we said free) drinks catered by Svedka Vodka, Bulleit Rye Whiskey, and even Don Julio. Try drinks like 12-year aged scotch paired with watermelon juice, or a fresh glass of Goose Island Brewery’s Pale Ale.

The Fans

Every year, Pitchfork continues to foster a diverse environment that invites an array of fans to its festival. You can count on rave babies turned indie for the weekend or just a casual family lounging around with their three little children. The best part about Pitchfork is the resounding cheers from the audience, no matter the genre or time of day.

It seems like this audience is especially receptive to multi-genre festivals, or at least a festival where artistry is a higher focus than topping the charts. Instead of listening to the arena-fillers like Taylor Swift, The Chainsmokers, or Zedd, the Pitchfork crowd consistently comes back to experiment with new artists, rather than (pitch)fork over a pretty penny to see the “hot” artists of our time.

Make sure to check out the full album by photographer Cassidy Kotyla on the official Soundazed website!

---

Connect with Soundazed