This year, Fred and I finally made it down to the Pitchfork Music Festival at Union Park in Chicago.We were there on Saturday and Sunday, and of course the headliners those nights – LCD Soundsystem and Pavement – were outstanding as expected.
But as usual at these fests, it’s the acts that surprise you that really provide the biggest thrill. One of those bands this year for me was Here We Go Magic. I’ve been their fan since the first time I heard the track Fangela. Their set in Chicago was energetic and sounded great; it was one of my favorite sets of the weekend.
Once again, HWGM has released a video in which they acoustically perform one of their songs. In this case, its Casual from their most recent release “Pigeons.”
Here We Go Magic will be warming up the High Noon before White Rabbits on Saturday, April 24th. The band is made up of Luke Temple, Kristina Lieberson, Michael Bloch, Jennifer Turner, and Peter Hale. They originally came together in New York in early 2009 through “a series of chance encounters, overheard conversations and supernatural occurrences” and found common inspiration in a collection of four-track recordings that had been created by lead singer Luke Temple. This solo recording was released as Here We Go Magic (Western Vinyl) in February 2009, and I love this album.
Here We Go Magic has a new self-produced album - Pigeons – set for release on Secretly Canadian on June 8th.
The Kickback will open the evening. They’ve been described by Rolling Stone as a “High drama Chicago-based rock band that conjures the very best parts of the Veils and the Walkmen and the Killers, writing lean, nervy songs that snarl and snap.”
A great line-up is coming our way Saturday April 24 at High Noon Saloon.
White Rabbits headlines this show, and they are reputed to put on an amazing live show. Their most recent album – It’s Frightening (TBD Records) – was produced by Britt Daniel (Spoon), and their dark pop sound has an unhinged edge that I really like.
White Rabbits is made up of Stephen Patterson (vocals/piano), Jamie Levinson (drums), Matthew Clark (drums, guitar), Alex Even (guitar), Gregory Roberts (guitar/vocals).
I am quite pumped about this show. White Rabbits will be coming off of their recent performance at Coachella. Catch them at High Noon!
Our friends in Chicago can see them at the Metro on Sunday April 25th.
Part of a great line up: Pavement, LCD Soundsystem & Modest Mouse
Pitchfork Festival seems to get better every year. This summer they will be featuring PAVEMENT! Yes…the one and only Pavement will be in our area (kind of). And if you thought that was amazing, check out the rest of this brilliant (and recently released) line up for this summer’s indie rock hoe-down:
Friday, July 16:
Modest Mouse
Saturday, July 17:
LCD Soundsystem
Raekwon
Here We Go Magic
Sunday, July 18:
Pavement
St. Vincent
Lightning Bolt
Cass McCombs
Sleigh Bells
Pitchfork Music Festival is happening at Union Park in Chicago July 16-18, 2010. Tickets go on sale at noon Central time today at TicketWeb. Single-day passes cost $40, and three-day passes cost $90. (There are no two-day passes this year.) [from Pitchfork.com]
