WLUW Takes Pitchfork Music Festival 2024
It's officially the start of Pitchfork Musical Festival weekend July 19-21, and members of WLUW will be on-site providing our loyal listeners with content from the ground. Ahead of the weekend, our fabulous writers compiled a list of acts they're most excited to see — learn a little more about some of them below!
Mannequin Pussy
The four-piece band out of Philadelphia gives a refreshing take on punk and indie rock. The group comprises Colins “Bear” Regisford, Kaleen Reading, Maxine Steen, and Marisa Dabice. Mannequin Pussy has four albums out, with music demanding to be heard. Their discography consists of battle cries and rebellious ballads. The band hopes to be a grounding force in a chaotic, imperfect world, shedding light on the empowerment of being yourself. Their newest album I Got Heaven consists of 10 inspiring tracks, ranging from indie to punk rock. The album forces you to get out of your comfort zone, and perhaps look at the world from a different perspective. It explores questions of freedom and where you stand as a young person in society today.
Written by Melanie Cammarano
MUNA
Originating out of sunny Southern California, MUNA is a feel-good, indie pop band. The three-piece consists of Katie Gavin, Josette Maskin, and Naomi McPherson. The group went viral on Tik Tok after their single "Silk Chiffon" featuring Phoebe Bridgers blew up. From there, they’ve been unstoppable. Their music has always embraced difficulties growing up, longing, and heartache, but in a way, you can jump up and down too. MUNA has three promising studio albums, with more in the works. They also have a podcast, Gayotic with MUNA, every Wednesday they come out with new episodes as they talk about personal lives, pastimes, and of course, music. Special guests are often featured in episodes. Music about self-acceptance, rediscovery, and navigating the unpredictable never fails, and MUNA’s got plenty for you.
Written by Melanie Cammarano
Sudan Archives
Sudan Archives, aka Brittney Parks, is an up and coming violinist and singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles, California. Sudan Archives has made a name for herself taking influence from the club and rave scene, as well as traditional African and Irish music. Using various cultures to enhance her natural talent, Sudan Archives continues to push the boundaries of pop and R&B. Since starting her music career, Sudan Archives has released two albums. Her most recent album Natural Brown Prom Queen (2022), is powerful and fluid, and details a journey of self-discovery throughout time. A single off of the album, “Selfish Soul,” gained the most popularity with its catchy lyrics that hit on much deeper topics of self-love and acceptance. With live performances described as “tantalizing” and “otherworldly,” there is no doubt that Sudan Archives has the power to charm a crowd. Her unique artistry and experimental sound makes her a name to remember, so make sure to catch her set on the Blue Stage at Pitchfork this Friday at 6:30 pm. You won’t want to miss it!
Written by Natalie Silva
Lifeguard
Chicago band Lifeguard, comprised of Asher Case, Isaac Lowenstein, and Kai Slater, will be headed to Pitchfork for the first time this summer! Their music is bursting with energy, drawing inspiration from a variety of genres resulting in a wonderfully nostalgic sound. Case and Slater’s vocals supported by Lowenstein’s drums, their guitar and bass create a style of rock that’s just as connected to the past as it is to the present. With an almost dreamlike quality at times showcased in songs like "17-18 Lovesong" from their 2023 EP Dressed in Trenches, Lifeguard not only delivers exciting rock music but also music that makes you want to dance. Check out Lifeguard at Pitchfork this Saturday!
Written by Ciara Belfiore
Wednesday
Hailing from Asheville, North Carolina, Wednesday is an alt-country band made up of Lead singer Karly Hartzman, guitarist MJ Lenderman, lap steel player Xandy Chelmis, bassist Ethan Baechtold and drummer Alan Miller. Hartzman’s vocals combined with Lenderman’s guitar creates their unique sound, with shoegaze and country influences. Their 2023 album Rat Saw God was voted one of the best albums of 2023 by Pitchfork. Wednesday’s music speaks not only to their current experiences but is also deeply connected to their North Carolina roots, in Chosen to Deserve Hartzman’s lyrics call back to her childhood. Wednesday’s alt-country is as sad at times as it joyous and will without a doubt make for an amazing set at Pitchfork.
Written by Ciara Belfiore
Carly Rae Jepsen
Carly Rae Jepsen’s breakthrough first came with the 2012 blockbuster, “Call Me Maybe”, but over the past decade she has grown to be one of the most exciting and innovative acts in pop. Her 2015 album Emotion is widely praised as one of the greatest contemporary pop albums, with the anthemic single “Run Away With Me” remaining a cult classic to this day, and the severely underrated Dedicated emulates the same 80s pop dreaminess with even more assurance. Influenced by the likes of Kate Bush and Cyndi Lauper, Jepsen is known for her signature fusion of synths with euphoric dance beats and the most alchemic melodies you will ever hear. Coming off the release of her sister-albums, The Loneliest Time and The Loveliest Time, Jepsen’s must-see headlining performance will be at Pitchfork’s Red Stage on Saturday.
Written by Max Moroz
Water From Your Eyes
Hailing from Brooklyn, Water From Your Eyes is bringing an avant-garde sound to this year’s Pitchfork festival. Their 2023 album Everyone’s Crushed met praise for not only its experimental instrumentation and synth inclusions, but also its deadpan lyrics commenting on life in the post-pandemic, late-stage capitalism era. Consisting of duo Rachel Brown and Nate Amos, the band’s set this Saturday is sure to bring a fun change of pace to your festival-viewing.
Written by Grace Wallace
Alanis Morissette
Alternative rock veteran Alanis Morissette is set to headline Pitchfork Music Festival on Sunday, July 21. The seven-time Grammy Award winning artist reigned over late 90s and early aughts radio, blending the raw edges of grunge with mainstream pop sound on her 1995 hit ‘You Oughta Know’.Almost 30 years later, the Canadian-American singer’s music has matured with the times as she has. Her most recent release, 2022’s ‘the storm before the calm’ is a stark contrast to her critically acclaimed 1995 release ‘Jagged Little Pill’. The albumspeaks to Morissette’s journey of introspection and healing from past events that had left her a woman scorned. Breathing a new light into the vulnerable lyricism that defined her early career, Morissette's once vehemently fierce sound has evolved into emotive bliss that will leave you feeling like an empath in paradise.
Written by Victoria Palmeri
The full 2024 Pitchfork Music Festival lineup and schedule is available here.