Pitchfork Music Festival is taking place this weekend, (July 19th to 21st), in Union Park, Chicago. The festival will feature food from local vendors, record and poster fairs, and of course, a ton of live music! The lineup features a variety of genres—hip hop, pop, alternative rock, and more, with artists such as HAIM, Pusha-T, Robyn, Charlie XCX, and the Isley Brothers all playing on the same grounds!
But before seeing the bigger names on the bill, be sure to check out some of the hugely talented up-and-coming artists that will be playing Pitchfork! See our tip sheet for some names to make room for in your festival schedule.
Rico Nasty
Set time: Friday, 2:45 pm, Blue Stage
Rico Nasty has already released four projects, but she is just recently getting the recognition she deserves. Rico’s conspicuous, brash and colorful style, which permeates everything from her rapping to her outfits to her visuals, makes her standout among her peers. Earlier this year she released Anger Management, a joint album with producer Kenny Beats, and she recently gained a coveted spot on the XXL Freshman Class list for 2019. Be sure to check out Rico’s Pitchfork set for an energetic pick me up in the mid-afternoon.
Soccer Mommy
Set time: Friday, 6:30 pm, Blue Stage
Sophie Allison, AKA Soccer Mommy, has been rising to indie stardom ever since the release of her terrific debut album Still Clean in 2018. Since then, she has been headlining tours and opening for Kacey Musgraves! Soccer Mommy’s setlists usually include songs from Still Clean, such as the fantastically blunt “Your Dog” and the moving “Scorpio Rising,” as well as from her 2016 and 2017 projects For Young Hearts and Collection. Therefore, seeing her live is a great way to get familiar with Soccer Mommy’s style!
JPEGMAFIA
Set time: Sunday, 3:20 pm, Red Stage
JPEGMAFIA is a relatively new rapper who has created a space for his distinct sound in the current hip hop landscape. JPEGMAFIA’s rapping, which can range from chill to very aggressive on the same song, is often set over experimental and glitchy beats. After the release of his debut album Veteran, which gained widespread critical acclaim, JPEGMAFIA went on tour with Vince Staples and has collaborated with artists such as Flume and Injury Reserve. See this innovative artist on Sunday afternoon on Pitchfork’s Red Stage!
Clairo
Set time: Sunday, 4:15 pm, Green Stage
Clairo is slowly becoming a huge name with her summery, ethereal bedroom pop love songs. She only started dropping music—mostly singles, apart from her EP diary 001—in 2018; however, since then she has gained a huge following and has been touring, including opening for Khalid. Her recent single “Bags,” from her upcoming debut album IMMUNITY, set to drop in August, is one of my personal favorite songs of the summer. Surely, Clairo will be playing it, and hopefully some more new material, at her Pitchfork set!
Snail Mail
Set time: Sunday, 7:45 pm, Blue Stage
If you still haven’t heard Snail Mail’s 2018 debut album Lush, you must! Or better yet, see her live! A friend of Soccer Mommy, Snail Mail, (whose real name is Lindsey Jordan), blew up last year with the release of Lush and has been touring for much of the past year. Songs like “Pristine” and “Heat Wave,” with their bright and dreamy yet sad and nostalgic sound, are the perfect soundtrack to summer. Snail Mail plays on Sunday night right before headliner Robyn, so catch her set for a sweet wind-down to the day!
Check out Pitchfork Music Festival's official website for the full lineup and schedule!
