Chicago – Yes, yes it’s that time of year again! Time for one of the hippest music festivals around: Pitchfork. As to be expected, the line-up is stellar. As an added bonus, it’s loaded with Chicago artists, from the legendary Wilco and the remarkable Ryley Walker, to local hip hop celebs Vic Mensa and Chance the Rapper. This year marks the 10th anniversary of Pitchfork Music Festival which hosts “50,000 attendees of all ages from 45 states and 26 countries” every year. The festival brings in over 40 bands over the course of three days in Chicago’s Union Park. With so many new bands trying to figure out which ones to see can be tough. Best New Bands is here to help point you in the right direction.
Let’s get to it!
Ryley Walker
A well-deserved spotlight has begun to fall upon Chicago’s very own Ryley Walker. This amazingly talented singer-songwriter and guitarist gained the attention of music bloggers with his sophomore album Primrose Green (Dead Oceans Records). The attention has taken him from playing smaller Windy City festivals like West Fest to playing the doozy that is Pitchfork.
Blue Stage, Friday 3:20p.m.
(Photo Credit: Dusdin Condren)
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Tobias Jesso Jr.
One listen to Tobias Jesso Jr. and there’s really no explanation needed as to why you must see the Canadian singer. Go ahead, listen to “How Could You Babe.” You want more right? If you haven’t already, get your hands on his debut Goon (True Panther Sounds), and then make your Pitchfork weekend marvelous by penciling him in!
Blue Stage, Friday 6:15p.m.
(Photo Credit: Sandy Kim)
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CHVRCHES
Scream it with me, “Chvrches are back!” Admit it, you’re just as excited as we are to see the Scottish electro-pop trio. Last year they were all over the festival circuit thanks to the success of their debut album The Bones of What You Believe (Glassnote). (You can read our review of their Lollapalooza show here.) If you somehow managed to miss them or you simply want to see them again, you can and should. Plus, they’ve been hard at work on album number two, so the odds of hearing some new tunes are pretty high!
Red Stage, Friday 7:20p.m.
(Photo Credit: Sarah Hess)
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Ought
Echoing sounds of the Talking Heads, Ought is known for raw, intense shows filled with emotional songs that dissect the frustrations and concerns of mundane life. The Montréal based foursome just graced us with the single “Beautiful Blue Sky,” from the band’s soon to be released sophomore album Sun Coming Down (Constellation Records). Perhaps at Pitchfork Ought will unveil some more new material?
Blue Stage, Friday 8:15p.m.
(Photo Credit: Victoria Davis)
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Bully
We first discovered Bully opening for Drowners at Chicago’s Beat Kitchen. And well, Bully stole the show, largely in part to their immensely talented frontwoman Alicia Bognanno! The Nashville band has been turning heads and drawing praise with their debut Feels Like (Columbia Records). Bully races to the top of current 90s revival groups with their echoes of Nirvana and sharp, feminist lyrics like those of Hole and Garbage. But make no mistake, Bully offers more than simply reviving youthful memories; Bully is on track to be one the best rock bands of our day.
Blue Stage, Saturday 1:55p.m.
(Photo Credit: Pooneh Ghana)
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Shamir
Las Vegas badass Shamir recently unleashed his debut Ratchet, which many are calling one of the best albums of 2015. (X Ambassadors frontman Sam Harris is a fan!) Add to his irresistible songs plenty of wit and a colorful personality, and how could you go wrong? Shamir is a pop star in the making. Go see him so one day you can tell your grandkids, “I saw Shamir when I was your age!”
Blue Stage, Saturday 6:45p.m.
(Photo courtesy of Pitchfork Festival)
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Vic Mensa
Chicago hip hop legend in the making and SAVEMONEY founder Vic Mensa is on the fast track to success. After his group Kids These Days split up in 2013, Mensa went solo. He quickly built a local following with the mixtape INNANETAPE and “Orange Soda.” Last summer he unleashed his first major label single “Down On My Luck,” earning him a wider fan base. Now a year later, he’s unleashed “U Mad” ft. Kanye West, off his upcoming and highly anticipated album Traffic which is on Jay Z’s Roc Nation.
Blue Stage, Saturday 8:45p.m.
(Photo courtesy of Pitchfork Festival)
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MOURN
Pitchfork presents you with a fabulous opportunity to catch Barcelona four-piece Mourn. Their songs like “Otitis” and “Misery Factory,” are filled with plenty of angst and touches of 80s punk and 90s rock. The teenagers of Mourn may be inspired by music made well before their time, but what they are creating is fun and fresh for music lovers of any age. Get your hungover butt up early to thrash around and take in some headbanging with Mourn.
Blue Stage, Sunday 1:55p.m.
(Photo Credit: Kimi Selfridge)
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Run The Jewels
Alright yes, we just told you to see Run The Jewels at Bonnaroo. But let’s be honest, can you ever really get enough of rappers Killer Mike and El-P? N to the O. Run The Jewels put on a monumental show every damn time. The authorities have spoken.
Red Stage, Sunday 7:25p.m.
(Photo Credit: Sarah Hess)
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Chance The Rapper
Twenty-two year old Chancelor Bennett aka Chance the Rapper has been making Chicago proud since ’09, whether it be with his solo work or his collaborations with SAVEMONEY and The Social Experiment. And while he may be headlining the last night of Pitchfork, there’s no doubt the talented Southsider will bring his friends along for the ride. It’s pretty much a guarantee Chance will share the stage with some of his buddies because just down the street that night Bottom Lounge is hosting a Pitchfork after party with the SAVEMONEY crew. But just who from the crew will show up? You better stick around and find out! Get comfy, grab a No Collar, and resist the urge to leave early in an attempt to avoid the mass exodus. We give you the okay to call in sick for work on Monday.
Green Stage, Sunday 8:30p.m.
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Follow Pitchfork Music Festival on Facebook and Twitter and be sure to use #PitchforkFest with all your festival posts. You can tweet at Best New Bands, too. Let us know what new bands you’ve discovered and enjoying!
Sarah Hess
After attending The School of the Art Institute in Chicago, Sarah went on to study education at Dominican University, earning a degree in history. When not teaching, writing, or taking in a show, she is most likely to be found with a camera to her eye or hanging out in a darkroom.
You can follow Sarah Hess on twitter at @Sarahhasanh and view her music photography on her website: smhimaging.com.
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