In case you haven’t noticed, the lineup at this year’s Pitchfork Music Festival is absolutely stacked. With headliners as strong as Wilco, Sleater-Kinney and Chance the Rapper along with a supremely consistent undercard, the three-day event (July 17-19 at Union Park) is one of 2015’s best.
Today, festival organizers released its daily schedule. While they undoubtedly had to cram in as much talent as they could into just three stages, the majority of the bill is spaced out enough to please damn near everyone. However, with the realities of scheduling music festival,s not everyone is going to be happy with some of the major conflicts. Below, here are seven of the hardest decisions festivalgoers will have to make. Don’t fret though: We have some sage advice to help you choose.
1. Saturday: Sleater-Kinney vs. Vic Mensa
I understand the venn diagram of Riot Grrrl aficionados and Savemoney stans is fairly slim, but my god, is this is going to be a tough decision.
Who should you see?: Tie, but we’re seeing Vic to rep Chicago. His stunning new visual for “U Mad” is reason enough.
2. Friday: Natalie Prass vs. Riley Walker
Both of these artists have released incredible, past-evoking albums this year. Where Prass has a cooing, soulful and ornate take on Dusty Springfield, Joni Mitchell and Judy Collins, Walker matches her with mind-bending Van Morrison, John Fahey and Fairport Convention-inspired jazz-folk.
Who should you see?: Prass. If you’re not sold, just be dazzled by the vibrant colors in her new “Bird of Prey” video.
3. Friday: Wilco vs. Ought
In a classic battle between old against new, Chicago’s best band Wilco is up against one of Canada’s most exciting exports Ought, who play a Talking Heads-channeling blend of post-punk and indie rock.
Who should you see?: Wilco. Check out the band’s recent cover of Pavement’s “Cut Your Hair” here.
4. Saturday: Bully vs. Protomartyr
Bully’s spunky and buzzing garage rock makes the Nashville group the only act playing both Pitchfork and Lollapalooza this year (and maybe ever?) while Detroit’s Protomartyr’s simmering and gritty take on post-punk makes the band a can’t miss live act.
Who should you see?: If you’re already going to Lolla, go see Protomartyr. If not, Bully all the way. Listen to Bully’s “Trying” here.
5. Saturday: Shamir vs. Future Islands
While Baltimore’s Future Islands had last year’s best song in “Seasons (Waiting On You),” Shamir’s unassaible dance-pop anthem “On The Regular” might give the synth-rock three piece a run for its money.
Who should you see?: Try to fit in both. Revisit “Seasons (Waiting On You)” here.
6. Sunday: The Julie Ruin vs. Freddie Gibbs and Madlib vs. Waxahatchee
No matter what, one of these awesome artists is going to get the short end of the stick Sunday afternoon. It all boils down to whether seeing one of rap’s best pairings is more important than seeing the triumphant return of Kathleen Hanna. And don’t forget Waxahatchee, whose heartfelt and unrelenting songs are just as potent as her elders.’
Who should you see?: We’re seeing the Julie Ruin before heading over to Freddie Gibbs and Madlib. Watch the rap duo’s cinematic clip for album cut “Deeper” here.
7. Friday: Panda Bear vs. Tobias Jesso Jr.
Animal Collective’s lead man goes up against modern day piano man Tobias Jesso Jr. Honestly, this matchup will just depend on your mood: if you’d like your senses to be pummeling by looping electronics and psychedlich melodies, Panda Bear might be better than Jesso Jr. But who can deny the effortless simplicity of songs like “Hollywood” and “Just a Dream”?
Who should you see?: Tobias Jesso Jr., just listen to song to see why.
Below, check out the full day by day schedule.
Friday, July 17
8:30pm – Wilco (Green Stage)
8:15pm – Ought (Blue Stage)
7:20pm – Chvrches (Red Stage)
7:15pm – Iceage (Blue Stage)
6:25pm – Panda Bear (Green Stage)
6:15pm – Tobias Jesso Jr. (Blue Stage)
5:30pm – Mac DeMarco (Red Stage)
5:15pm – Steve Gunn (Blue Stage)
4:35pm – iLoveMakonnen (Green Stage)
4:15pm – Jessica Pratt (Blue Stage)
3:30pm – Natalie Prass (Red Stage)
3:20pm – Ryley Walker (Blue Stage)
Saturday, July 18
8:30pm – Sleater-Kinney (Green Stage)
8:45pm – Vic Mensa (Blue Stage)
7:45pm – Sophie (Blue Stage)
7:25pm – Future Islands (Red Stage)
6:45pm – Shamir (Blue Stage)
6:15pm – The New Pornographers
5:45pm – A$AP Ferg (Blue Stage)
5:15pm – Parquet Courts (Red Stage)
4:45pm – Ariel Pink (Blue Stage)
4:15pm – Kurt Vile (Green Stage)
3:45pm – Vince Staples (Blue Stage)
3:20pm – Ex Hex (Red Stage)
2:50pm – Mr. Twin Sister (Blue Stage)
2:30pm – Future Brown (Green Stage)
1:55pm – Bully (Blue Stage)
1:45pm – Protomartyr (Red Stage)
1:00pm – Jimmy Whispers (Green Stage)
Sunday, July 19
8:30pm – Chance The Rapper (Green Stage)
7:45pm – Todd Terje & The Olsens (Blue Stage)
7:25pm – Run The Jewels (Red Stage)
6:45pm – A. G. Cook (Blue Stage)
6:15pm – Caribou (Green Stage)
5:45pm – Clark (Blue Stage)
5:15pm – Jamie xx (Red Stage)
4:45pm – How To Dress Well (Red Stage)
4:15pm – Courtney Barnett (Green Stage)
3:45pm – Perfume Genius (Blue Stage)
3:20pm – Madlib & Freddie Gibbs (Red Stage)
2:50pm – The Julie Ruin (Blue Stage)
2:30pm – Waxahatchee (Green Stage)
1:55pm – Mourn (Blue Stage)
1:45pm – Viet Cong (Red Stage)
1:00pm – Single Mothers (Blue Stage)
1:00pm – Bitchin Bajas (Green Stage)
jterry@redeyechicago.com, @joshhterry
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