Thanks to all that is indie and diverse, the fifth annual Pitchfork Music Festival 2010 begins this Friday in Chicago’s Grant Park.
When I started digging to find my high buzz bands to cover, I found the best information in the most surprising. NPR.com is undoubtedly the most complete coverage of the festival and artists outside of the sites Pitchfork mark themselves. It is not surprising that, “alternative” radio station in Chicago, Q101, has never heard of the party, according to their site. Q101 is spending his time in Mountain Dew, the Dew Tour and covering Pete Wentz, new draft reggae-tinged, Black Cards.
This year, the Pitchfork Festival line-up reminds me of the first year or two of Lollapalooza, back when it was really “alternative” music to point to and identify with. In addition to giving greater exposure to the current blogosphere favorite Liars, Delorean, Titus Andronicus, Neon Indian, Sleigh Bells and more, Pitchfork also work hard to help the environment. All means of transport used for the festival will be only the hybrid vehicles, along with an aggressive recycling program, and all power to the festival will come from biodiesel fuel, cleaner than normal diesel, and reduces demand for oil. Coterie Chicago will feature hand-made goods of all shapes, sizes and styles made by local artists. Flatstock, a poster and a booklet of art that shows the phenomenon in the art of homemade sign, will also be present in the field.
The festival starts in mid-afternoon on Friday with sexy styles of Brooklyn singer / songwriter Sharon Van Etten and will close on Sunday with reunited alt-rockers Pavement. For three days, and through three stages, over 40 acts will play in Grant Park and I`m not sure a more diverse line-up is possible. From Ms. Van Etten to Broken Social Scene, and Seattle rockers Modest Mouse to hip-hop masters Raekwon and Big Boi, Pitchfork 2010 got it right
My Top 10 Must-See Acts are as follows:
Liars – Frontman Angus Andrew and his crazy man-dance skills are not to be missed as he bravely leas his brethren through tracks from the trio’s latest, Sisterworld.
Broken Social Scene – “World Sick” off of May’s Forgiveness Rock Record blew my mind, and will be a perfect accompaniment for early evening winds in Grant Park.
Modest Mouse – A favorite for years and the chance to sing “Float On” with tens of thousands is too good to pass up.
Delorean – lately well hyped online, and the fantastic remix of the XX’s “Islands” only further boosted the Barcelona-based quartet’s profile and its blissful electro-pop.
Titus Andronicus – too heavy to miss, too misanthropic to take completely seriously.
LCD Soundsystem – what better time than a Saturday night in the park to “Dance Yrself Clean”? This is definitely happening.
Beach House – Teen Dream found the duo sharpening their chops and expanding their sound. Let’s see how a Sunday crowd handles their many, many shifting moods.
Surfer Blood – they’re from West Palm Beach, I’m from West Palm Beach. Let’s see if they do the hometown proud.
Sleigh Bells – M.I.A.’s favorite bombastic, beat-driven duo are set to thrill and kill.
Pavement – seeing a reunited Pavement is a no-brainer for anyone who has heard but 30 seconds of Slanted and Enchanted.
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