Photos by Vanessa Bly, recap by Vanessa Bly and Geoff Henao
Pitchfork Music Festival 2015 has come and gone! Despite the sometimes muddy, sometimes rainy, and sometimes scorching hot day (sometimes all in the same day), fun was to be had at Pitchfork this year. Admittedly, there was an overall sense of something missing from this year’s festival. Nevertheless, Chicagoans were the highlight this year, anchored by Chance the Rapper’s outstanding performance to close Pitchfork out. Check out our recaps and photos from the festival over the next few pages!
Pitchfork Music Festival 2015 – Day 1
CHVRCHES
CHVRCHES’ performance at Pitchfork was the band’s first in the United States since April, and you could sense the excitement and energy among the three. Notably, singer Lauren Mayberry’s stage presence was at an all-time high as the crowd sang and danced along. Given this was my first time seeing CHVRCHES (outside of videos online), I didn’t know what to expect, but I’m glad to say they were the perfect end to Day 1 of Pitchfork 2015. – Geoff Henao
RYLEY WALKER
Ryley Walker was a jam band that kicked off Pitchfork Music Festival 2015. Given their opener status, the crowd already at Pitchfork really vibed to their music. – Vanessa Bly
JESSICA PRATT
Jessica Pratt’s performance was super chill… perhaps a bit too super chill. The crowd was still during her performance, which isn’t what you’d typically find at a music festival. – Vanessa Bly
STEVE GUNN
Steve Gunn looked like he wasn’t having too much fun during their set. Granted, musicians enter a different attitude and embody on-stage personas when performing, but his seriousness turned me off. – Vanessa Bly
MAC DEMARCO
Mac DeMarco’s set was FUN! His gap-toothed smile was hilarious, and the crowd really responded to them. Overall, the best way to describe their set was just simple, great fun. – Vanessa Bly
PANDA BEAR
Panda Bear’s sound transcends all musical interests – whether you love hip hop or swear by rock, Panda Bear’s appeal is enough to bring all types of different people together. The crowd for his set was vibing extra hard to his music, despite his relatively chill beats. I’d love to catch him at a venue one day. – Geoff Henao
Pitchfork Music Festival 2015 – Day 2
SLEATER-KINNEY
Finally, Sleater-Kinney made their triumphant return to Chicago after a years-long hiatus. The band co-headlined Pitchfork’s Day 2, supporting their latest album, No Cities to Love. Their performance made it seem like the band didn’t take an extended break from one another as their set was tight and one of the major highlights of an otherwise dreary day ruined by the rain. – Geoff Henao
FUTURE BROWN
Future Brown’s set was a lot different when compared to live performances I’ve become used to over the years. They’re a production group, but brought out a plethora of guests to round out their set, including Lil Durk. The crowd was really into their set and weren’t swayed when the rain began to pour down. – Vanessa Bly
EX HEX
Ex Hex’s set was unfortunately cut short after a few songs due to the rain, which sucked because they were rocking the stage. Even as the rain began to downpour heavier, the crowd stuck around in hopes the band would return before the festival was officially postponed. – Vanessa Bly
SHAMIR
I love Shamir’s personality when he performs, but I don’t think he brought it for his Pitchfork set; I was really looking forward to it, actually. “This is me on the regular,” he sings, but I was hoping he’d bring more than just the regular. – Vanessa Bly
Pitchfork Music Festival 2015 – Day 3
CHANCE THE RAPPER
What can be said about Chance’s set? It means a lot for a Chicagoan to close out Pitchfork alone, but Chance brought everything he had to commemorate the event. Backed by The Social Experiment, Chance ran through all of the hits during his night cap, and surprised the crowd by bringing out gospel singer Kirk Franklin! It felt like, for just one moment, the entire city was united together during his set, and it’s moments like these that both Chicagoans and music fans alike can truly appreciate. – Vanessa Bly
RUN THE JEWELS
As a surprise to nobody, Run the Jewels’ set was wild and fucking crazy. It’s hard not to truly enjoy yourselves while Killer Mike and El-P are on stage. They even brought out Rage Against the Machine’s Zach de la Rocha, which put the crowd into even more of a frenzy. Rappers take note: RTJ’s sets are exactly what you ought to strive for when fleshing out your live performances. – Vanessa Bly
FREDDIE GIBBS AND MADLIB
DOPE! The crowd was wild for Freddie Gibbs and Madlib’s set, rapping along to every one of Freddie Gibbs’ lyrics. By my count, a large number of the crowd waited nearly three hours for their set, and their patience was truly rewarded. – Vanessa Bly
WAXAHATCHEE
Waxahatchee were cute and fun, and a great start for Pitchfork’s final day. I definitely need an indie-rock fix, and they I (and the crowd!) loved what they had to offer. – Vanessa Bly
COURTNEY BARNETT
Courtney Barnett’s style of rock and roll was super cool and infectious. The crowd was made up of dedicated fans that not only loved her, but sang along to every song. I just might find myself learning all of her songs for the next time she’s in Chicago. – Vanessa Bly
JAMIE XX
Jamie XX’s set was wild and nothing what I expected. The crowd went berserk for them, and even partook in some crowd surfing. Can you believe that, crowd surfing during a DJ’s set?! That alone should be enough to summarize Jamie XX. – Vanessa Bly
