Recap: Pitchfork Music Festival 2017 [Day 2]

(A Tribe Called Quest)

Saturday was a hot one, and many opted to sit in the shade and relax while the music played. Another eclectic bill from top to bottom took to the park, all starting with a rousing set from Vagabon and her band. The crowd was all in from the moment she stepped on the stage and she gave everything she had. Jeff Rosenstock was the happiest person on the planet when he took the stage. His energy was infectious and the crowd wildly approved his entire punk rock and new wave infused set. He joked about how much money the band was paid to play the fest as well as helped destroy a Trump piñata, much to the crowds adoration.

Weyes Blood’s haunting tunes led to a relaxing mid-day set. Her voice drifted over the crowd with an amazing amount of ease and grace. Cherry Glazerr almost tore down the stage with the amount of energy that they exacerbated. They easily had one of the best sets of the weekend and their stage was packed to the brim with people trying to get a glimpse of the carnage they left behind. If you have an opportunity to see them soon, make it your business to do so. Arab Strap, who started slow, really kept the momentum going to a fantastic end and more than held their own. The band hasn’t been around since 2006, but they sounded absolutely fantastic.

(Angel Olsen)

George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic started late and ran over their set time. The show was fine, but honestly when you’re at a festival you have to manage your time wisely. Due to their tardy finish, The Feelies had to start their set late as a result and understandbly weren’t happy about it. Even so, their set was glorious, delivering everything you could want from the legendary New Jersey band. Angel Olsen was the epitome of perfection for her set. She charmed the crowd as she sang and you couldn’t have asked for anymore from her. The same could be said for PJ Harvey, who pretty much stuck to the setlist she has been going around with for over a year, but then again, it’s a great setlist. PJ is just an absolute bad-ass and it’s hard to find any faults in her performance ever.

(PJ Harvey)

S U R V I V E, the critical darlings who did the music for Stranger Things, closed down The Blue Stage with their electronic set of beats and blips from every machine you could think of. The music they produce sounds just as great live as it does from their studio work. A Tribe Called Quest, who easily had the performance of the weekend, ran through a 27-song set that never slowed down. With a mic on stage for Phife Dawg, whose voice rang through the speakers during much of the music, the whole show was in tribute to him. To watch one of the most legendary hip-hop crews come on stage and act like no time has passed by from when they started was just stunning to watch. If this is their last go around they are going out strong.