Having established itself of the hottest festivals in the country, the Pitchfork Music Festival, which takes place in Chicago, is one of the best places to find new and old indie music. Taking place in from July 13-15 in Union Park, this year’s headliners include Feist, Grimes and Vampire Weekend. That being said, here our five must-see new bands on this year’s lineup.

Lower Dens

Friday 3:30 Red Stage

Lower Dens are such a great addition for any music festival. Having them perform on the festival’s first day will help set the stage for an amazing music weekend. This band’s grand building of sounds and vocals, along with them being on the cusp of greatness, will help them carve their own place in the music scene, especially at an event like this. For those skipping out of work early, try and get there in time to catch this band. I feel like this is going to be a set I’m going to be happy to catch while they’re still a new band, so I don’t feel like I’m jumping on the bandwagon.

Atlas Sound

Saturday 2:30 Green Stage

My first introduction to Atlas Sound aka Bradford Cox of Deerhunter fame, was watching a taped performance of his song “Te Amo.” By his getup alone, old school matching pajamas set, hair stick in many directions, and an acoustic guitar, I wasn’t prepared for the sounds that came out of this man. I’m can’t believe that only now is he landing on my musical radar. Don’t make the same mistake as I have, go see this dude. Clean layered sounds with strategically placed vocals demonstrate the care that this man takes in his creative process. If you want an enjoyable groove friendly, set this is it.

Youth Lagoon

Saturday 3:45 Blue Stage

Trevor Powers, the man otherwise known as Youth Lagoon, skyrocketed to my list of can’t miss sets after only spending a couple minutes enjoying his debut album, Year of Hibernation. It is an impressive mix a haunting vocals along with atmospheric elements that take the listener back to a different era. There’s a definite push and pull throughout that tug at a sense of familiarity and then give a slight fear of what’s out there. A comment posted on one of the videos online puts it best when the listener wrote: “Today I learned I enjoy music that makes me feel like a ghost”. This Saturday afternoon set might have a similar feel to a Fleet Foxes Lollapalooza set a couple years back. Being at a peak time in the day make sure to plan this man in your custom lineup.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra

Sunday 1:45 Red Stage

If you frequent our site regularly, you may have noticed that we aren’t strangers to Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and you shouldn’t be either. Most of my picks have been more on the mellow side, so I was ecstatic to see UMO’s set time being early on Sunday. Besides the fact that I will finally get to see what my fellow writers have already experienced and raved about, I hope to also get that much needed burst of energy for the last day of the fest. This lo-fi Portland-based part psych rock group is worth coming out early for. The underlying beats that keep their songs going add a welcome element to a more “traditional” psych rock group. Having taken a look at their videos online they definitely have a certain style that I can’t wait to watch a full crowd become engrossed by.

Real Estate

Sunday 4:15 Green Stage

There’s a sweet spot in my heart for bands from New Jersey, but when I heard Real Estate, I had to  double, and even triple check where they were from. This band’s dreamy indie pop sound had me thinking they were either from California by way of possibly Morning Benders, or stretching it a bit and guessing Brooklyn, but nope this is a Jersey band. They are an easy listening just plain enjoyable band. That also evokes a sense of purity and nostalgia not unlike many of the other bands that made this list. I plan to grab a drink and sway and head bob along with these summer perfect songs that will help close out this festival.