As this year's festival season continues, it's Pitchfork Music Festival on deck this weekend, with lucky number 13 kicking off on Friday.
Taking over Chicago's Union Park from July 20-22, the likes of Ms. Lauryn Hill, Tame Impala, The War on Drugs, Fleet Foxes, Chaka Khan, Courtney Barnett and DRAM will be entertaining a bevy of Midwest music fans. But further down the lineup, some very interesting talent really has our attention.
It's no secret the festival landscape is a fickle one these days, with a number of fests falling by the wayside recently, some due to saturation and business situations and others because of scandals. Regardless, Pitchfork Fest's lineup this year proves why it remains a unique but formidable player.
As you prepare to make your way to Union Park (or if you're still undecided about buying tickets), here are some of the 10 acts we're most excited to see this weekend.
Julie Byrne
The Buffalo singer-songwriter is coming off a fantastic year, following the release of her second studio album Not Even Happiness, which was among 2017's best. There will plenty of opportunities to get rowdy this weekend, but don't miss the chance to get lost in Byrne's entrancing, intimate live performance.
Mount Kimbie
The English electronic duo also released a new album last year, in the form of Love What Survives. They previously played Pitchfork in 2016, but they'll likely be performing from the new record this time around. They're absolutely magnetic on stage. And perhaps they'd have a cameo lined up?
Saba
Chicago's own rapper-producer is sure to put on a good show for his city. But beyond that, he seems to get better live with each year that passes. And he's released a handful of new tracks this year, so it's possible he has some unheard material just itching to be heard by the hometown fans.
Ravyn Lenae
Also from Chicago, the R&B singer is simply magical on record. But to experience her performance in the flesh is something unreal. Her Crush EP arrived earlier this year, featuring her standout single "Sticky," so she'll definitely be ready to deliver the goods, served fresh for the 312.
Syd
The Internet vocalist seems to finally be getting the attention she deserves and the timing couldn't be better. Her performance on Friday will come on the same day The Internet is dropping their new album Hive Mind, so there's truly no telling what all Syd has planned for what will surely be a special appearance on the Red Stage.
Berhana
It's been three years since he made his debut, but this year is off to a great start. After his song "Grey Luh" was featured on Donald Glover's FX series Atlanta, he released his brand new single "Whole Wide World," which is proof this guy is definitely one to watch right now.
Smino
The St. Louis emcee is one of Variance's 2018 FutureSounds and his performance promises to be one of the highest energy sets this weekend as he delivers live renditions from his debut album blkswn and presumably treats fans to new music, such as his recent Mick Jenkins collab.
Noname
The Chicago native will find plenty of friends in the crowd at Pitchfork Fest, but we'll be all ears this weekend because it's been two years since Fatimah Warner put out new music and she's been steadily teasing her next album Room 25. As recently as last week, she suggested it would "soon come." To quote Noname's "Diddy Bop" lyrics: "I’m ready, I’m ready, I’m ready, I’m ready."
Julien Baker
Her latest record Turn Out the Lights was one of Variance's Best of 2017, so it's been great seeing Baker's star rising for much of the past year. But Chicago is in for something special when she takes the stage. For proof, one would only need to see her stunning performance on CBS's Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Moses Sumney
And last but certainly not least, if you were to only see one set this weekend (which is a bad idea, of course), it should be Moses Sumney. Like several of the aforementioned, his album Aromanticism was among last year's best and his live performance is quite simply spellbinding. As in, don't even think about missing it.
