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(Photo Courtesy of Huffington Post)
Pitchfork Music Festival took place in Chicago’s Union Park once again this past weekend. The three day festival presented headliners, Beck, Neutral Milk Hotel, and Kendrick Lamar. This is the ninth edition of Pitchfork Music Festival at Union Park. Every year this festival just seems to create a larger buzz.
This year the festival enjoyed a weekend with beautiful weather unlike last year where storms interrupted Bjork’s highly anticipated set. This year Three Day passes sold out in April. Saturday and Sunday passes sold out eventually as well.
Pitchfork is known to showcase a broad range of genres. It can range from Trap artists like Hudson Mohawke to Indie Pop like the Dum Dum Girls. A lot of different genres are represented at this festival and that makes it a very enjoyable experience for attendees. You get to enjoy your favorites but at the same time experience something new that you may not have given a chance before. Many music festivals nowadays are like this. I feel that this happens because in recent times people have been more open to explore several genres and not just stick to one.
Friday
Friday’s lineup included big names like SZA, Sharon Ven Etten, and Beck. Friday was one of the less crowded nights of Pitchfork given that it is the only day that single day tickets did not sell out for.
TDE (Top Dawg Entertainment) had a good number of their artists perform at Pitchfork this year. Aside from big name artists ,Kendrick Lamar and ScHoolboy Q, SZA and Isaiah Rashad were also present at the festival this year. SZA performed Friday afternoon. For those unfamiliar with SZA she is an R&b singer.
(SZA)
Beck a well known name around the world also performed Friday night. Beck performed hits like “Think I’m In Love” and “Loser”. Beck is an alternative rock artist who has been making music for a long time now. He has been making music since before people of my generation were around.
(Beck)
Saturday
The second day of the festival switched it up a bit with the big names being, Danny Brown, Pusha T, The Field, and St. Vincent. Saturday included a sold out crowd.
Danny Brown is always a very energetic person. When it comes to his personality as well as his performances. He a unique personality and that’s a big reason why he was a big name at this festival. People love him for his funny and sometimes outrageous lyrics. In some ways similar to one of last year’s performers Lil B.
(Danny Brown)
Another big name on Saturday was St. Vincent. She is a well know indie pop musician. Her appearance at the festival this year created a good amount of buzz given her popularity and great music. I don’t know too much about her. I have only listened to a handful of songs. Kid Cudi actually sampled one of her songs for his song titled, MANIAC
Sunday
Sunday always seems to be Pitchfork’s biggest day. I guess they like to go out with a bang. Sunday always seems to feature the biggest names. Sunday also seems to be the day in which single day tickets always sell out first for. Last Year R.Kelly, M.I.A., TNGHT, Killer Mike, El-P and Lil B performed on Sunday. This year Sunday included Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, Earl Sweatshirt, Hudson Mohawke, Isaiah Rashad, Grimes and others as well. In my opinion Sunday’s lineup was a very good one but I do love hip hop.
Hudson Mohawke is a producer that I think deserved to be recognized by more people than he really is. Hudson Mohawke is a big name in the Trap genre of music. He’s a very talented DJ. In fact he has worked with Kanye West and is actually signed to his GOOD Music label as well. Last year he was at Pitchfork as well but part of the TNGHT duo with Lunice.
(Hudson Mohawke)
Earl Sweatshirt had announced some time before Pitchfork that he would be cancelling the rest of his tour dates for the current tour he was on. Some had thought that he wouldn’t be performing at the festival following that announcement but he did. Not only that he also had a show in the city the night before that he didn’t cancel either. I guess Earl likes Chicago. Anyway Earl is a hip hop artist and a member of OFWGKTA. He’s a very lyrical artist as well. He’s known for his very intellectual lyricism.
(Earl Sweatshirt)
And of course I would have to mention, California native, Kendrick Lamar. Kendrick Lamar is easily the biggest name in hip hop right now. The release of Good Kid M.A.A.D. City brought him immense success. Kendrick Lamar headlined Pitchfork in 2012 as well. At that time he wasn’t as big as he is now. Its amazing how much buzz he has created in just two years time. In 2012 he was regarded as a very talented hip hop artist but not on a worldwide scale like he is now. This year Kendrick performed Sunday night as the most anticipated performer by many people. A cool light show combined with some of the best hip hop around equals a great night.
(Kendrick Lamar)
If I could I would highlight every performance that took place at Pitchfork this year but that would take me forever. I hope this article encouraged you to possibly check out Pitchfork Music Festival next year. It’s a great festival to check out. They provide great performances every year and you won’t break the bank getting a ticket like you would for Lollapalooza. They’re also easier to get.
(All Photos are courtesy of The Huffington Post)
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