It’s officially festival season in the city, and Pitchfork is returning for another year of live music this weekend. Set to take place July 21st-23rd at Chicago’s Union Park, Pitchfork is bringing genre-spanning headliners such as Alvvays, Perfume Genius, Weyes Blood, and Bon Iver. With an expansive lineup of amazing artists playing across three different stages, there’s something for everyone. The crew over here at WLUW has decided to highlight some acts that you won’t want to miss!
King Krule
Archy Marshall, known more commonly by his artist name King Krule, is one of Pitchfork’s Saturday headliners. This London-based artist has a jazzy-alternative sound with lyrics that tend to have a deeper, darker meaning. With a total of four albums, Marshall introduced his newest album, Space Heavy, earlier this year. The album works to make “perceived miseries endurable” with its lounge-like rhythm. Space Heavy expands on King Krule’s usual jazz sound to include a 90s-like rock in more upbeat songs such as “Hamburgerphobia” and “Pink Shell”. Make sure you check out these songs and more during King Krule’s Pitchfork performance this year
– Grace Kalb
Julia Jacklin
The Australian singer-songwriter from South Wales is hitting Chicago’s Pitchfork Stage on Saturday and we could not be more excited! From her debut album, Don’t Let The Kids Win, to her second album Crushing, and her most recent album Pre Pleasure, Julia Jacklin does not miss. Her music creates the perfect combination of dreamy Indie-pop, folk-rock, and heartfelt alt-country. With such a vast combination of genres, her music never strays from being intentional and unique. You’ll definitely be able to catch us singing along to songs like “Pressure To Party” and “I Was Neon” this Saturday!
– Aly Westrin
Florist
The quartet indie folk band, Florist, is taking the Pitchfork stage on Sunday after a new LP release last summer, self-titled Florist, members Emily Sprague, Rick Spataro, Jonnie Baker, and Felix Walworth rented a house together in the Hudson Valley to record the album and reconnect as friends. Its mystical instrumentals and impassioned lyrics immerse you into the group’s headspace, as if you were part of their upstate recording retreat. Their set is a must-see for your festival folk fix.
– Grace Wallace
Snail Mail
24 year old indie rocker, Lindsey Jordan aka Snail Mail is a band that we could not be more excited to see at Pitchfork this Saturday. Snail Mail’s themes are relatable, yet raw and vulnerable. After the success of Jordan’s 2018 album Lush, she has been steadily growing and perfecting her sound, leading to her 2021 sophomore album Valentine. An album that further proved Jordan’s ease with vulnerability. She is unapologetic, with her heart pinned on her sleeve. Jordan’s sound feels as if Fiona Apple, Cat Power, and Priests had a musical baby. She carries that older 90s indie sound while twisting it and contorting it into a new modern wave. On the second day of Pitchfork you can catch us rocking out to “Pristine” in Union Park.
– Kora Elms Fleming
Weyes Blood
Weyes Blood, or Natalie Mering, is a singer-songwriter from California that produces music that’s as ethereal as it is haunting. Her fifth most recent album, And in The Darkness, Hearts Aglow, will transport you to another world. Mering is a wonderful storyteller which is especially evident in songs like “God Turn Me Into a Flower” and from her earlier work “Andromeda”. Dreamy guitar and synth are the background for Mering’s exploration of life in a modern age. With amazing vocals and an otherworldly stage presence, Weyes Blood is definitely one to watch this Saturday.
– Ciara Belfiore
Mdou Moctar
Born Mahamadou Souleymane, Mdou Moctar is a Taureg songwriter and guitarist who performs rock inspired by Taureg guitar music. Mdou Moctar will be performing at pitchfork this Sunday alongside fellow guitarist Ahmoudou Madassane, bassist Micheal Coltun and drummer Souleymane Ibrahim. The band captivates audiences with electric interpretations of traditional Taureg music, showcasing the spectacular talent of Mdou Moctar on lead guitar. Don’t miss their performance this weekend!
– Ian Keller
Check out the entire Pitchfork lineup playlist below!