The three-day Pitchfork music festival in Union Park opens Friday. This is still one of the easiest, best organized and most interesting fests in Chicago. While it’s an endurance test to rock out all three days from start to finish, I highly recommend checking out some of the early acts. Openers Hundred Waters, Twin Peaks and Speedy Ortiz are likely to put everything they’ve got into their short sets. These will be the least crowded performances as well.
Looking at the rest of the sets, here’s a day by day analysis. I highlight some bands because of personal preference but the lineup is pretty strong all three days. There’s a good mix of electronic and rock. Some of the hardest bands are playing Sunday and that’s also the day Kendrick Lamar (the fest’s biggest star) headlines.
Here are my picks:
Friday
Don’t miss: Neneh Cherry, Beck
Other intriguing acts: Sharon Van Etten, Giorgio Moroder, Factory Floor
Saturday
Don’t miss: St. Vincent
Other intriguing acts: Cloud Nothings, Neutral Milk Hotel, Tune-Yards
Sunday
Don’t miss: Dum Dum Girls
Other intriguing acts: Speedy Ortiz, Perfect Pussy, Deafheaven, Grimes
All the Young Punks 