Pitchfork Music Festival- Day 1

For our first coverage of awesome Music News and Reviews here on the Welcome to Augrock Blog, we take a look at one of the newest Chicago Summer Institutions known as The Pitchfork Music Festival. This year from July 17th-19th, Chicago saw a festival that had grown from a relatively small festival attended by young Hip Music lovers, to a large 3 day event that dominates the sound scape of Chicago's Union Park for a Multi-generational Audience. I was there to represent Radio DePaul on Press and Promotional duty, but in the mean time I got coverage and photos on several of the finest acts the Festival had to offer. Stay Tuned for posts on all 3 days, including an Interview with Molly Siegel of Ponytail.

DAY 1

As the Festival began on a very overcast Friday evening, the attendees hustled into Union Park to get the musical satisfaction that they have been waiting for ever since the tickets for the festival went on sale. Swarms of teenagers, hipsters, punk rockers, parents, toddlers, and music hungry  fans filter in to hear the results of the "Write the Night" vote, a process by which the fans vote on the songs that Friday's artists will play. This gives a sense of eagerness and curiosity that keeps the crowd energetic and ready for the show. The bands, the crowd, and the music are all prepared for a huge weekend. 

Yo La Tengo

After a great starting set from Tortoise, the fans were just getting their feet wet into the night's theme of songs that have been voted on. With this in mind, the three piece combo of Kaplan, Hubley, and McNew that is Yo La Tengo took the stage by storm with some of the funkiest music that this festival has seen in it's 4 year run. After a quick ambience that lures the crowd in and a quick equipment switch, the trio starts playing their crowd pleasers. Most notably "Autumn Sweater," which has become almost the group's landmark song. They soon deviate from the concept of the night for a short while, and play a new  song from the upcoming album that rings of a more Rock N Roll Yo La Tengo. To say that this band is still a powerhouse after years of continuously pleasing their audience is an understatement. 

The Jesus Lizard

Possibly the most hyped band of the night, The Jesus Lizard return to the stage as hometown heroes after not playing a show in Chicago for a period of 11 years. With Lead singer David Yow at the helm, this Chicago powerhouse delivers an all out assault of punk and noise that this city has not seen since the last time The Jesus Lizard played over a decade ago. After a few short words, Yow Plunges into the crowd while wrestling the crowd for control of his microphone; an action which Yow repeats several times during his performance. Playing favorites such as "Nub," "Then Comes Dudley," and Chicago punk anthem "Mouthbreather," the 4 piece never put a halt to the energy. With the promise of 2 shows in November, the band has solidified that they are a force to be reckoned with again. 

That's it for Day 1 coverage. Stay tuned for Days 2 and 3!