The 5 Best Acts at Pitchfork 2017
*This May Be A Little Late, But I Hope You Enjoy*
Chicago’s music scene may be the most varied and equally impressive of the major American cities. From spearheading Chicago Blues and Dixieland Jazz to Hip hop icons like Kanye West and Chance the Rapper, Chicago resides at the forefront of music. And all of these (OK, not Dixieland) find a stage at their two main festivals: Lollapalooza and its younger brother Pitchfork.
Over the years, Lollapalooza has drifted further to the center, reeling in the biggest acts available. Meanwhile, Pitchfork, which comes from the independent music magazine of the same name, brings in mostly indie acts who claim critical acclaim instead of best-selling albums.
For anyone who goes, Pitchfork is an event. Whether it’s checking out your favorite band, taking notes on fashion inspiration from festival-goers, or checking out the branded stands (kefir popsicles this year!), there’s always something to do.
Of course one of the best parts of Pitchfork is that most bands are completely off your radar. Every time you bump into someone you know (Pitchfork caters to a select crowd), the inevitable “What are you seeing today?” question pops up, and out comes the tiny schedule everyone carries around. Usually someone has one or two bands a day they desperately want to watch (“We’re gonna try to get to the front for X!”). But those are few and far in between, so you wander from stage to stage based off an artist’s name or singles you flipped through lazily in the morning. And behold, you find your new favorite artist of the year.
To acknowledge that feeling, here are the 5 best acts at Pitchfork 2017 in their respective categories:
Best Art Performance: Kilo Kish

Going on as the first act on a Sunday can be daunting, but Kilo Kish had no problem turning her 1pm set into an experience. Kish, whose music moves from subdued R&B to pop hooks and fuzzy synths, went on at the lunching hour and the crowd grew rapidly. Perhaps it was the empty stage or her bright red suit against the cloudy day. Maybe it was her props such as a copy of the New Yorker, a red corded telephone, and a brown briefcase; her dance moves that went from tight toe shifts to careening like fighting a ghost. Call it what you like, but everything about the set appeared deliberate, as if stumbling upon the contemporary art wing. Even as her movements became more aggressive to the point of smashing her briefcase on the ground and screaming, you could not look away.
Best Crowd Sing-along: Pinegrove

Here’s a challenge: name a band whose biggest song has the word “labyrinthine” in it. Let’s make it harder: name a group whose entire fanbase screams that 50-cent word and more with complete confidence. If you picked Pinegrove, you’ve got quite the head on your shoulders. The Montclair, NJ 5-piece has taken their emo sensibilities and alt-country licks across the country for a few years, but a positive review of their debut Cardinal from Pitchfork pushed them into the hearts of many 20somethings. Exhibiting an excitement and energy hard to find in other artists, Pinegrove’s crowd followed in suit. From the moment they appeared on stage, the fans pushed forward, threw up their arms, and sang to lyrics a dense as “just when I thought I had this pattern sorted out / apparently my ventricles are full of doubt.” It was impossible to mask that beautiful sensation of togetherness that comes from being in a crowd of that capacity. Don’t be surprised if their minimalist logo starts appearing on hats everywhere.
Best Group Whose Age Refuses to Affect Their Energy: LCD Soundsystem

In a decade defined by sequels and reboots (Honestly, how many Spider-man movies can one person see?), the biggest news on any music lover’s mind was LCD Soundsystem’s return. Once critical darlings who redefined dance music through their bouncy synths and funny, heartwrenching lyrics, their creator James Murphy retired the group in 2011 after a massive farewell concert. However, following a surprise Christmas song last December, they have returned. Were they better than ever? Well, one look at Murphy’s haggard face and paunch said otherwise. But they still had their signature giant disco ball, punchy synths, high-energy, and melodies that kicked your heart into pure elation. The old guys won’t bring you down yet.
Best Use of the Surrounding Environment: Francis and the Lights

Recognizable by his mix of Lin-Manuel Miranda and Phil Collins vocals, it’s hard to pin down Francis and the Lights’s music. It travels from 80s dance to mid 90s Backstreet Boys pop to inflective, Bon Iver influenced indie. Famous for his collaboration with the aforementioned and Kanye West, Francis took to the stage in all black, dark shades, and rapid-fire moves. The crowded bounced along with a collective look of “who’s this guy? I don’t know, but he’s good!” Even as the crowd was subdued during his lesser known songs, his zeal could not be controlled. He spun for the entirety of “May I Have This Dance,” leading into a climb up the scaffolding. During the penultimate song, he disappeared off the stage only to reappear halfway up a tree, still singing, unaffected by the landscape. He was a sight to behold.
Best Color Palette: Solange

Solange may have been the most beautiful act, and it’s not surprising she was saved for last. As she strolled out, her stage morphed into a setting sun with strong reds and oranges bathing her band members and column stage props in mystical light. She walked with confidence. Her high notes were buoyant, floating above the crowd, and behind her trailed her backup singers in minimalist choreography. As she busted out “Cranes in the Sky” you felt undulating emotions explode in the crowd as voices all around me hummed the refrain: “Away, away, away, away.” At one point, she walked down and sang solely to one woman in the crowd, holding her hand. It was an experience beyond any other seen that weekend.