Please keep in mind that this is not the official Pitchfork schedule. For that you can go to their website and see everything that’s going to be happening. I’m just highlighting the stuff that I think is worth checking out. It’s a pretty full festival, but for the most part it’s spaced out enough that you can catch a lot of music.
On Friday the festivities start early with Priests at 1:45. They aren’t the first act to play, but Madame Ghandi’s set on the red stage will be happening while everyone is in line trying to get in the gates. Hit the green stage to see Priests.
Then hit the red stage for Hiss Golden Messenger. It’ll be much more laid back than Priests, so a good spot to catch your breath so you can keep up the rest of the day. Heart Like A Levee was one of 2016’s many highlights, and he’s sure to play a lot of tracks from it.
Ten minutes after Hiss ends, Vince Staples, fresh off gettin that Sprite money, takes the green stage.
Frankie Cosmos will probably be my first and only trip to the blue stage on Friday, though Arca should be good. Unfortunately the set overlaps both Dirty Projectors on the red stage and headliners LCD Soundsystem.
My Saturday also begins at 1:45, with Jeff Rosenstock on the red stage. Should be a dynamic day, with his punkish rock followed by Weyes Blood on the green stage, and then Cherry Glazerr at the blue stage. Glazerr’s Apocalipstick is one of the best albums out this year, so be sure to get over there before they go on at 245.
Cherry Glazerr ends at 330, leaving a half hour before Mitski takes the same stage. Barely time to get something to eat, but the bathrooms by the blue stage don’t see the usage of the others, so maybe time for a quick trip to the port-a-potty.
At 5:15 Francis & The Lights also take the blue stage. Now if only there were some hugely famous Chicagoan who might join Francis & The Lights for “May I Have This Dance.” Hmmmmm…
I feel bad leaving the blue stage because the programming is spot on all day, with Madlib up next. Angel Olsen is on the green stage at 6:15, though. I haven’t seen her play live since a little show at Empty Bottle way back in 2010. Been a fan since that day, so I’ll be at that set.
And the PJ Harvey, of course, on the red stage. Follow that with a headlining set from the brilliant A Tribe Called Quest.
On Sunday I’m going to sleep in a little bit, but get to the park in time for Ne-HI at 2:30 on the green stage.
Isiaiah Rashad finally gets the bump to the red stage after being stuck on blue for a while. He plays at 3:20 and then Hamilton Leithauser takes the green at 4:15.
I don’t particularly care for anything in the 5 o’clock hour, though I’d go with Pinegrove on the blue stage if I was forced to choose. Mainly because after them is Jamila Woods and then American Football.
The headliner is Solange, and I’m really hoping she allows photographers at this fest. It’s been off and on for her previous appearances this year, but I’m sure her set will be great.