PREVIEW: Pitchfork Music Festival 2017
BY SHAYE GRAVES, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF (2017)
Pitchfork Music Festival takes place this weekend at Chicago’s Union Park. Thrown by online magazine Pitchfork Media Inc., AKA the nation’s music bible, the festival is now in its 12th year. Three-day passes have already sold out, and fans are expected to show up by the tens of thousands to see both legendary and up-and-coming artists, all Pitchfork-acclaimed, share the festival’s three stages.
While fans are justly amped to see big-shot artists like LCDSoundsystem, A Tribe Called Quest, Solange and Sonic Youth frontman Thurston Moore, many of the weekend’s lesser known acts are must-sees as well. The festival has a history of booking artists right before they hit the big time — rap god Kendrick Lamar, for instance, performed at the festival in 2012 shortly before he skyrocketed to notoriety. Artists performing this year that have this potential include punk band Priests, indie rock/alternative country band Pinegrove (this band is already exploding) and Chicago’s own rock band NE-HI. Keep these groups in mind as you choose which bands to see this weekend to capitalize on what could be one of the last times they perform during relative obscurity.
In the meantime, prepare for the weekend’s festivities by listening to the playlist below. Or if you’re not attending, live the festival vicariously through our playlist and upcoming coverage — either way will be a good time. The playlist features two songs from each artist on the lineup, with preference towards new material and songs they’ve recently performed. Happy listening, and stay tuned for more Pitchfork updates.