I’ll get right to the point: I am so, so excited about this year’s Pitchfork Music Festival. This year offers a little bit of everything for the music publication’s audience. From hip-hop icons like Grandmaster Flash to Gen X and millennial nostalgia acts like Alanis Morissette, and local newbies including Akenya, Lifeguard and Kara Jackson, this year’s event is a collection of riches. No genre is left untapped, with artists as musically diverse as the disco pop of Carly Rae Jepsen and Jessie Ware to the experimental hip hop of Angry Blackmen and the folk of Jessica Pratt. Audiences are sure to leave satisfied with the abundance of good music available over the course of the weekend.
Friday
NOT TO MISS: Jai Paul’s music may be genre-defying and generationally influential, but a large part of his appeal is due to his elusiveness. Few artists have maintained as low a profile as Jai Paul. With only a handful of official single releases, Paul has captured the hearts of a generation raised on the beauty of R&B and the power of complex production. However, over the past five years, Paul has slowly begun to emerge. In 2019, he released “Leak 04-13 (Bait Ones),” a collection of unreleased material and one-offs that leaked online years earlier. Last year, Paul made an appearance at Coachella. It’s hard to know what his Pitchfork set will entail; he rarely, if ever, makes live appearances. However, I recommend his set (7:25 p.m. on the Red Stage) for the sheer improbability alone. Paul is a musical genius (one spin of his first and now-classic track “BTSTU” proves that). What a blessing it is to witness his greatness. Who knows when audiences will get the chance to do so again?
BEST STAGE: Friday offers a bevy of different options across all three stages, but the Red Stage is particularly special, offering a selection of electronic-influenced acts across various genres. Openers Angry Blackmen (1:45 p.m.) offer a taste of their experimental hip hop. For Chicagoans, their appearance is a special treat as this glitchy, industrial duo is also based in the city. Later in the day, fan-favorite producer and musician Yaeji makes an appearance (5:15 p.m.). Last year, Yaeji released her debut studio album, “With a Hammer,” her most critically acclaimed and strongest collection of music yet. Prepare to get sweaty during this dance-focused set. Later in the evening, Jai Paul closes out the stage.
SOMETHING ELSE: Few artists have the full package quite like Sudan Archives. A singer, songwriter and violinist, the musician (born Brittney Denise Parks; 6:30 p.m. on the Blue Stage) broke out in a big way two years ago with the release of her second album, “Natural Brown Prom Queen.” Like many artists at the festival, Parks brings a level of richness and depth to the genres she plays (electro, R&B), creating a body of work that hits heavy and punches low in the gut with its emotional truths and haunting melodies. Catch her here before she reaches greater heights in the mainstream music world.
Saturday
NOT TO MISS: What is there to say about Jessie Ware? On album after album, Ware has produced a collection of music that is rich in harmony and utterly romantic. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ware did something unexpected: she made a claim for the dance floor. Best known for her emotionally deft ballads, Ware pivoted to genres like house, disco and freestyle on her celebrated records “What’s Your Pleasure?” and “That! Feels Good!” Unsurprisingly, she blew old and new audiences away. In some ways, this feels like the Jessie Ware that was always meant to be front and center, one who is charming, sensual and fun. Festival-goers in search of a campy dance party will surely get a kick out of Ware’s set (6:15 p.m. on the Green Stage).
BEST STAGE: Chicago is front and center during the early hours of the Green Stage. Things kick off with Lifeguard (1 p.m.), an indie garage rock group made up of local high schoolers. It’s been nothing short of a joy to see this determined, precocious group take the DIY scene by storm and get signed to Matador Records. They are sure to make the energy of the festival pop. Next is poetry phenom and singer-songwriter Kara Jackson (2:30 p.m.). Jackson is something of a rare performer, only popping out for live local shows on special occasions. That’s why her set at the festival, with her unique, piercing yet soulful brand of folk country, is so anticipated. After Ware’s set later in the afternoon, British DJ and producer Jamie xx will headline the day (8:30 p.m.). The musician, who is also a member of indie rock group The xx, will make a much-celebrated return two months before the anticipated release of “In Waves.” This will be his first album in nearly a decade.
SOMETHING ELSE: Audiences interested in more experimental and genre-expansive music will surely enjoy the early set of L’Rain, the opener for the Red Stage (1:45 p.m.). Last year, the multifaceted musician released her latest record, the propulsive “I Killed Your Dog,” to rave reviews from critics and fans alike. L’Rain’s music is compelling due to its fearlessness. She is not afraid to push the limits of her work, whether lyrically or sonically. Earlier this year, L’Rain found a new audience with the track “Green,” a moody song from the original soundtrack for the celebrated supernatural film “I Saw the TV Glow.” Head to the festival early to revel in her brilliance.
Sunday
NOT TO MISS: Recent changes to Pitchfork, the publication, have also led to a few surprises at the music festival. One of those surprises is the booking of celebrated ’90s alternative rock musician Alanis Morissette. The announcement of her booking was certainly a surprise for long-time festival-goers, but a welcome one. Morissette’s music easily defined the angst and strife of love and heartbreak for two generations of listeners, meaning her headlining set is sure to draw massive crowds (8:30 p.m. on the Green Stage). I will be one of them, singing along to Morissette’s decade-defining music from albums like her mega-breakthrough record “Jagged Little Pill.” Many music festivals rely on the strength of nostalgia acts, and Pitchfork Music Festival, at least this year, is one of them. For this fan, that is not a problem.
BEST STAGE: The Green Stage has a little bit of everything on Sunday. Start the day off early with festival opener Akenya. This Chicago musician, who blends elements of jazz and R&B, is sure to dazzle audiences interested in music that challenges as much as it satisfies. Take a breather later in the day during Jessica Pratt’s afternoon set. Earlier this spring, Pratt released her latest record, “Here in the Pitch,” an emotive and atmospheric collection embodying the best of her skills as a lyricist. Fans of indie pop will have a great time in the early evening as the trio MUNA hits the stage. It’s been a handful of years since the group released their last album, a self-titled work with the catchiest of earworms about the joy of love and being yourself. Their anthemic tracks are sure to delight old fans and curious audiences alike.
SOMETHING ELSE: If Morissette wasn’t closing out Sunday of the festival, that spot would surely have gone to Brittany Howard (7:25 p.m. on the Red Stage). The Alabama Shakes musician has deftly carved out a space for herself as a solo artist. On her latest record, “What Now,” released earlier this year, Howard steps further out into the spotlight. Her joyously brash collection of tunes underscores her true rock superstardom. With a blend of elements like soul and funk (in addition to her signature Southern rock) on tracks like “I Don’t” and “Red Flags,” the record proves why Howard is a critical leader in music today. Her live shows are even more enthralling than her recorded music. And thankfully, her set ends five minutes before Morissette’s begins. You won’t want to miss a minute.
What to know
The 2024 Pitchfork Music Festival will take place at July 19-21 in Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St. Along with the music, look for a return of the CHIRP Record Fair, the Renegade Craft Fair and Flatstock Poster Fair, along with the merch tent and loads of food and beverage vendors.
For entry: Gates open each day at noon (subject to change). Main gates are located on Ashland south of Lake Street, and the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Ogden Avenue. Guests are required to have a photo ID and a digital ticket for entry to the festival. Children 10 and under can attend the festival for free.
Bag policy: Bags will be restricted to small purses/satchels/fanny packs/drawstring bags, and may not exceed 14 x 11 x 5 inches. All attendees and their bags will be searched upon entering the festival. Guests will be required to empty their pockets. Pitchfork reserves the right to refuse entry.
Stages: Music is on the Red, Green and Blue stages. Each day’s primary headliner performs on the Green stage.
Updates: For up-to-date information from the festival, follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @pitchforkest, on the Pitchfork Music Festival website or through festival emails.
Safety: Guests with questions about safety and security or those who need special accommodations can contact festival staff at info@pitchforkmusicfestival.com. Guests with medical-related questions can email the festival staff at medical@pitchforkmusicfestival.com.
Pitchfork has a zero-tolerance policy for harassment or discrimination of any kind based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion and disability status.Those found in violation may be removed.
Accessibility: Ramps from the sidewalks to the street will be available as well as an ADA entrance on Randolph/Ogden. ADA restrooms will be available on-site. Designated viewing platforms will be available for ADA festival attendees for all three stages. To view these stages, patrons must obtain the wristband by checking in with customer assistance at the Box Office (Gate 1) or the help desk at Gate 2 with the customer assistance desk ADA entrance.
Guests with pre-existing medical conditions that require medication, special diets or awareness can notify security staff upon entering the festival. Security staff will direct patrons to the first aid tent so they may properly store any medications and ensure any other needs are met.
Medications must be stored within their pharmacy-labeled container that states the prescription, dosage and patient name. Medicine in the container must match the prescription medicine noted on the label. Guests should provide a government-issued ID that matches the name on the container and are only allowed a sufficient supply of the prescribed medication for that day. Inhaled or smoked medicines are prohibited unless in a prescribed inhaler. OTC medications are allowed in a sufficient supply for the day.
Allowed items
- Blankets, sheets, and towels
- Strollers accompanied with a child
- GoPro Cameras (no GoPro sticks), point-and-shoot cameras, disposable cameras, binoculars
- Two factory-sealed bottles of water (up to 1 liter each). Security will break the seal upon entry. Empty CamelBaks, empty hydration packs (must be able to remove water pouch from bag) and empty water bottles (plastic or aluminum only) with a max size of 36oz.
- Sunblock (non-aerosol). Does not need to be factory-sealed. Factory-sealed bug spray (non-aerosol). Security will break the seal upon entry. Hand sanitizer.
- Factory-sealed vape pens, factory-sealed vape cartridges, empty vape pens
- Factory sealed tampons
For a full list of prohibited items, check pitchforkmusicfestival.com/info.
