All photos by Bryan Lasky
The 2017 Pitchfork Music Festival closed up shop on Sunday with what looked like it was going to be a rainy dreary day, but thankfully the weather held out. The crowds weren’t as big as the previous two days, but it was still very well attended. The festival suffered a big blow that day, with The Avalanches having to cancel only a few hours before their set due to a family member being sick. Jamila Woods won out though being able to play right before Solange, but missing The Avalanches hurt.
Kilo Kish started the day with a set of both r+b and rap, while throwing her body all across the stage. It was quite the theatrical performance from Kilo and a great way to kick things off. Colin Stetson’s set was a complete 180, with a jaw-dropping amount of music coming from one man with various saxophones. Watching him loop his notes and play over them and it all lining up to an unimaginable soundscape was wild to see. Colin was easily one of the best sets of the weekend. Ne-Hi, the local indie rockers came up next and had the time of their lives. Throughout their set, there was nothing but smiles on all four members faces as the music kept the crowd shining smiles right back at them.
Up next were back to back hip-hop sets that saw their crowds go absolutely nuts. Isiah Rashad and Joey Purp both had the crowds in the palms of their hand the moment they came out to their respective stages. Isiah’s crowd whipped themselves into a frenzy the moment he got on stage and Joey Purp’s crowd was already wild upon his arrival. Since he is from Chicago, his stage was filled wall to wall with people. The smile that he constantly sported said everything about the powerful set that he threw down.
For many, Hamilton Leithauser’s set was a chance to relax in the shade and take in a chill moment on a wonderful Sunday afternoon. Ride was delayed slightly by equipment issues, but once they started their set was perfection. It was an absolute marvelous set from front to back from the English legends, who thankfully put out some new music this year. The new songs sound great next to their older material and the crowd lapped it up. Jamila Woods got a big break by having her stage moved due to The Avalanches unfortunate canceling and she made the most of it with a great band behind her and her wonderful voice. She was a perfect lead in for Solange, who closed down that stage a little while later.
American Football closed down the Blue Stage for the weekend with their mix of indie and emo that they made critically famous in the late 90’s. The band have been touring pretty regularly and sounded tight as a result. Solange got to close down the festival and put on a show, not a concert. With many dancers and plenty of choreographed moves, Solange closed down Pitchfork in style. She sounded great, but many people were seen heading out as she continued with her set to get an early start on the trip home.
So ended my first Pitchfork and I hope to be back again.
Kilo Kish:
Colin Stetson:
Ne-Hi:
Isiah Rashad:
Joey Purp:
Hamilton Leithauser:
Ride:
Jamila Woods:
American Football:
Solange:
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