It’s hard to believe we’re already in mid-July, but this only means the music festival scene is in full affect. The good folks at Pitchfork Media have once again organized a great weekend for the city of Chicago and concert goers with their seventh annual Pitchfork Music Festival. The festival, which takes place in Union Park, July 13-15, promises to live up to and exceed expectations as the line-up is filled with a plethora of well-known up-and-coming artists. With over 20,000 people in attendance each day in the past, it is definitely something you won’t want to miss. The three day event showcases over 40 independent bands and artists on three separate stages. The reasonably priced festival has long been known for offering attendees a comfortable and upbeat experience.
Friday’s lineup includes: Outer Minds, Lower Dens, Willis Earl Beal, Tim Hecker, A$AP Rocky, Japandroids, Big K.R.I.T., Clams Casino, Dirty Projectors, Purity Ring and Feist.
Saturday’s lineup includes: The Atlas Moth, The Psychic Paramount, Cloud Nothings, Lotus Plaza, Atlas Sound, Liturgy, Cults, Youth Lagoon, Flying Lotus, Nicolas Jaar, Wild Flag, Schoolboy Q, Sleigh Bells, Chromatics, Hot Chip, Danny Brown, Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Grimes
Sunday’s lineup includes: A Lull, Dirty Beaches, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Milk Music, Iceage, Thee Oh Sees, Ty Segall, The Men, Real Estate, Kendrick Lamar, Chavez, Oneohtrix Point Never, AraabMuzik, King Krule, Beach House, The Field, Vampire Weekend.
With three stages housing all these acts and the weekend quickly approaching, we thought it necessary to provide you with preview of the pandemonium from start to finish.
Ticket Info
Three day passes and individual day tickets for Saturday, July 14th are now sold out.
Individual day tickets for Friday, July 13th and Sunday, July 15th are still available for $45.00
Features
Coterie Chicago will be presenting the work of 40 artists and craftspeople selected on the basis of originality and attention to technique. The Coterie collection, which will be open to all festival attendees, will include a variety of clothing, jewelry, original artwork and much more.
The BOOK FORT, which highlights the indie presses, is an exciting addition to the festival. With tons of dope music the entire weekend, the BOOK FORT simply serves as its literary counterpart. There will be tables and bookshelves for browsing, as well as publishers and editors. The BOOK FORT will be located by the Flatstock poster fair. There will also be readings and showcases taking place throughout the weekend.
The Flatstock poster show has long been a fixture at the Pitchfork Music Festival. Designs and hand-pulled prints from some of the most talented gig-poster producers in the country will be on hand. A great compliment to the work of bands and artists on stage, gives festivalgoers the opportunity to revel in the flourishing printmaking scene
The CHIRP Record Fair has been a highlight of the Pitchfork Music Festival for years. Hosted by the Chicago Independent Radio Project, the fair gives attendees a chance to purchase their favorite vinyl records, while lending a hand and supporting a non-for-profit community radio station.
Accommodations
Hyatt Regency Chicago: 312-565-1234 (Discounted room rates with special offer code: Stay15)
Hard Rock Hotel Chicago: 312-345-1000
Chicago Marriott at Medical District/UNC: 312-491-1234
Crown Plaza Chicago Metro: 312-829-5000
Hotel Allegro: 312-236-0123 (Special rate package enter code: PCHIC)
Chicago Getaway Hostel: 773-929-5380
Rules and such
To successfully run an event with crowds of more than 20,000, there must be some organization and rule keeping; don’t look at it as an impediment to the fun, more so for the safety and comfort of all festivalgoers. Children under the age of 10 are free as long as their accompanied by an adult. The festival will go on, rain or shine. No outside food or beverages, except two sealed bottles of water. There is no reentry. The print at home service, Ticketfast, is being used so guests can print tickets from home. There will be a variety of food menus to accommodate those with a particular diet.
The following items are not allowed on festival ground: Tents (apologies, no camping out), flags, lounge chairs, instruments, knives or other weapons, video cameras, audio recording devices, professional cameras (No cameras with detachable lenses, except for press), pets, food, beverages (other than the sealed bottled water), drugs or drug paraphernalia.
The following items are permitted: Digital cameras (non-professional), disposable cameras, film cameras (non-professional), fanny packs, medium-sized backpacks, hats, sun block, lighters, sunglasses, cigarettes and folding chairs.
Attendees will need to provide a valid ID to festival security in order to receive a wristband to purchase alcohol. Sales of alcohol will end at 9:30 PM.
The main gate for the event is located on Ashland Avenue, between Washington Boulevard and Lake Street. A smaller gate is located at the east end of Washington Boulevard. Gates open at 3PM on Friday and Noon on Saturday and Sunday.
Lost and found will be located in the will call trailer on Ashland Ave.
Sustainability
The Pitchfork Music Festival takes its responsibility to the environment seriously, as such they need attendees help to do their part by recycling plastic cups, bottles, aluminum cans and paper in one of the numerous blue recycling bins on the festival grounds. Hybrid vehicles are provided by ZipCar, who since 2007 has provided the festival with transportation. Since 2009, The Pitchfork Music Festival and The Chicago Reader have teamed up to provide free bicycle parking, as well as water, air and on-site assistance for festival attendees. If you’re traveling from the Chicago area, utilize the following to help plan your trip: Chicago CTA, PaceBus, MetraRail; outside of Chicago: Amtrak, Greyhound or Megabus are good transportation resources.
We will continue to keep you updated, but for any additional information head over to their website here
