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Pitchfork Festival is so back…and set to take over Douglas Park from July 19th-21st! We’re stoked to be covering this year’s event and capturing some great moments along the way. It’s always a blast seeing how Pitchfork highlights incredible artists while celebrating the unique vibe of our city.

At Pitchfork Fest, there’s always a fun self-awareness in the air—sometimes it feels like everyone else knows the music on a deeper level than you do! But that’s part of the charm; the festival brings together some of the best acts in the game while shining a light on incredible local talent, testing your allegiance to the “underground”. Plus, hosting the event in beloved Douglas Park, located in the West Loop, makes it one of my favorite spots to hang-out, regardless of the line-up. It’s convenient, vibrant, and the perfect backdrop for a Chicago summer!

Friday
Right off the bat, Pitchfork did an amazing job of making sure I get to the festival grounds early enough to catch Chicago’s very own Angry Blackmen. With a new album released this year entitled “The Legend of the ABM,” their lead track “Stanley Kubrick” offers one of the most exciting openings to any album this year. After that, I’m looking forward to seeing Rosali, who dropped a pretty strong album earlier this year, and Yaeji—an act I am SO excited to catch again. I saw them a couple of years ago at Pitchfork when they closed the stage the same night as Phoebe Bridgers. Make it rain, girl, make it rain!

And how could I possibly forget about Sudan Archives and the enigmatic Jai Paul? Sudan has been on my concert shortlist for a while, and I can’t wait to kick back and enjoy her performance as I prepare myself for Jai Paul’s first (or is it second?) Chicago concert.

Saturday
Instead of starting top down, we have to kick things off bottom up. Starting with Jamie xx. Jamie xx. Jamie xx. Who’s excited?! I was lucky enough to catch his set (in the rain, if you recall) at RE:Set, last June here in Chicago. Plus, I’ve been obsessively watching his recent Glastonbury performance from a few weeks back, and if it’s half as good as that, I’ll be more than happy. His highly anticipated second album, “In Waves,” is slated for release this September, so I’m definitely hoping to hear a few unreleased tracks!

Beyond Jamie, I’m itching to see Wednesday, an act I’ve been dying to catch live. I truly believe they’re poised to blow up after this summer. Honestly, I might try to tailor my aesthetic on Saturday to match the vibe of a Wednesday fan—maybe something like a sleazy alternative dirtbag look? Not sure yet, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed for some sweet MJ Lenderman trucker hats at the merch booth!

And let’s not forget Jessie Ware! Is she going to kick it into dance party overdrive as she sets the stage for Carly Rae Jepsen? Only time will tell!

Sunday

Sundays at music festivals can be a bit tricky to nail down. You definitely don’t want loud, heavy hitters blasting while you’re still recovering from the weekend festivities! Just take a cue from Kacey Musgraves’ unforgettable Sunday Lollapalooza performance in 2019 during her “Golden Hour” tour—that’s the kind of vibe we’re aiming for!

This year, I’m all about keeping it my sunday as chill as possible. I can already envision myself basking in the sun as Jessica Pratt serenades the crowd. Tracks from her latest album, “Here in the Pitch,” are just what I need to unwind after a long, sweaty weekend. And of course, I’m hoping Brittany Howard takes us on a journey through her incredible catalog, possibly throwing in a few Alabama Shakes classics while the sun sets over the red stage.

And to cap off the festival? Alanis Morissette! I can’t think of a better way to end the weekend than with her iconic hits. Bring on the nostalgia!

As we gear up for Pitchfork, expect our coverage to drop next week, so be sure to follow us on Instagram @wiitchicago for live updates! Here’s what you need to know: music will flow from the Red, Green, and Blue stages, with each day’s primary headliner gracing the Green stage. Festival gates open daily at 12 PM at Union Park (1501 W. Randolph Street), so don’t forget your photo ID and digital ticket for entry!

And for those of you looking to explore beyond the festival grounds, Pitchfork put together a Chicago City Guide featuring some of the best spots to eat, drink, visit, flirt, dance, and, of course, catch even more amazing music. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, there’s always something new to discover.

I fell in love again
All things go, all things go!

See you at the festival!