Who's Who at P4k 2-0-1-2

Article by Jessica Sommers
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July 5, 2012
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Music

With the 4^th of July firework smoke and American flag beer cans a distant memory, we can turn our focus to the other great event that happens every July – Pitchfork Music Festival. The festival hits Chicago’s Union Park for the 7^th year in a row, bringing in crowds that are as aloof as they are stoked to be a part of the musical elite, brought together to celebrate everything authentic in the world of music (according to Pitchfork).

So you’ve properly waxed your moustache, got your jorts lookin’ fresh and plucked the perfect tank top from the Urban Outfitters sale rack, but you’re not entirely sure who you want to check out? Read on for our day-by-day itinerary of who we can’t wait to chill (and possibly get rowdy) to.

Friday:

Willis Earl Beal: Though he does hardly any press, this vagabond singer/guitarist from the grimy South Side of Chicago is certain to put on an entertaining, beautiful set with his soulful tunes and soft guitar. Released from jail in the Netherlands about a month ago after kicking a homeless dude, we’re anxious to see what this guy is all about.

A$AP Rocky: What’s Pitchfork without a stoner rapper setting the pace for the rest of the festival? This year it’s A$AP Rocky, a newcomer form Harlem, New York who raps about smokin’ weed, strains of green, and many other allusions to herb on his critically acclaimed album LongLiveA$AP. Sounds right up our alley.

Feist: Leslie Feist’s impressive career is 20 years in the making, including being a part of several bands, releasing four studio albums and even having a massively catchy tune in an Apple commercial. If that doesn’t mark success, then maybe headlining Friday night of Pitchfork does. We’re sure we’ll hear songs from her latest album Metals, but personally we hope she sticks to her old stuff.

Saturday:

Cults: This dreamy pop duo exploded last summer with their self-titled EP, but has since been silent on the new music front. Though one might peg them as a buzzband who would predictably fizzle out, their fans haven’t given up on them and, clearly, neither has Pitchfork. Their EP is only 45 minutes, but every beat is catchy and every lyric is sincere. Here’s to hoping they play some new, unreleased tunes and surprise us all.

Danny Brown: Danny Brown is a hot new rapper straight from the dirty D(etroit), in case you haven’t heard. Spin magazine named his sophomore release XXX the #1 hip-hop album of 2011, where he spits about Adderall, alcohol, and blunts after blunts after blunts. His unique voice and vulgar lyrics are enough to keep any kid entertained – we’re excited to see just how hype this crowd is about to get.

Grimes: Welcome to the weird. A quick Wikipedia check to better define Grimes’ genre leaves us with, “”Grimes’ music is not easily defined.” Well shit, this is the same website that has a 1,000-word entry on bukkake. Even the 24-year-old seems last as to who she is, citing influences that range from Nine Inch Nails, to Beyonce to Outkast, with a little medieval music thrown in for good measure. Should be a wacky time.

Sunday:

Kendrick Lamar: We didn’t believe the difference between west coast music and everyone else until we experienced it ourselves. When in L.A., Lamar blasts through shitty rental car speakers on the regular. Here, nary a peep of his genius Section.80. That changes on Sunday, when the Compton rapper blows up a couple blocks from the west…uh…side.

AraabMuzik: We caught AraabMuzik perform at Summer Camp Music Festival back in May, which only got us more excited to see him at Pitchfork. A Rhode Island DJ who perfectly blends together unique hip-hop and techno beats all on a MPC sampler, AraabMuzik is one artist who deserves even more credibility then he gets. Get ready to vibe to the music and shake it without realizing it, because it’s hard to not get pumped when AraabMuzik is on stage.

Beach House: Beach House can do no wrong, and after missing them at Pitchfork 2010, nothing will stop The Black Sheep from seeing their Sunday sun-setting set. The Maryland dreamy-poppy duo released Bloom in May, their third behind two other incredible albums, to (surprise, surprise!) incredibly great reviews. We’ve been told by a credible source that seeing Beach House is “like a spiritual experience.” Not much more needs to be said.