We’re just days away from the 2016 edition of Pitchfork Music Festival and with that comes the debate of who to see during the weekend for a prime musical experience. The POD team will be present at the fest so we’ve had to wrack our brains to choose the right acts to see and we’ve compiled our thoughts into the list you see below.
Check out what acts we’ve deemed a must-see at #p4kfest.
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE
Whitney
Friday, 4:15pm – (Blue)
The breakthrough act of the year for us is Whitney, so of course they were an instant pick for this list. The Folk-y vibes on their debut album Light Upon The Lake seem like the perfect fit for kicking off the summer festivities on Friday afternoon. Chill chill chill.
Twin Peaks
Friday, 5:30pm – (Red)
Was this even a surprise? This Chicago outfit has matured and grown up a lot since the release of Wild Onion a couple of years ago, and that is evidenced by the sounds of their latest project Down In Heaven. But their fiery live shows still bring the raucous! You can look forward to a crowd that will do all in their power to try and keep up with the energy that the Twin Peaks dudes will bring to the stage, which spells nothing but dopeness in our eyes.
Mick Jenkins
Friday, 6:15pm – (Blue)
Can you tell by now that we like Chicago music? Right after checking out Twin Peaks’ Rock & Roll, head over to the Blue stage to catch Mick Jenkins’ Hip Hop stylings. Jenkins is a true wordsmith with an insightful message in a genre that highly praises that, ditching the antics of big-show performers to instead allow his music do his bidding. If you’re the type that complains about there not being enough “real Hip Hop” acts out today, Mick is who you should be listening to so that you can think otherwise.
However, the man also knows how to make you move too. The video above shows off his more playful, danceable grooves so expect to still catch some summer music fest vibes at this set.
Blood Orange
Saturday, 5:15pm – (Red)
The groovy, chill sounds unleashed in Blood Orange’s new album Freetown Sound will hit the spot as you reach the unofficial half-way point of the festival. Leave your inhibitions behind, and allow yourself to be taken over by the energy that will be emitted throughout this set.
Brian Wilson
Saturday, 7:25pm – (Red)
The Beach Boys are essentially the classic all-American band, and it was spearheaded by the amazingly talented mastermind that is Brian Wilson. One of Rock music’s most influential creatives will hit the Red stage at #p4kfest to play his band’s iconic album Pet Sounds, bringing to life one of the most spectacular works of art. Brian Wilson is no longer the troubled recluse he once was, so it’ll be a wonderful experience to catch this performance in a live setting.
Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals
Saturday, 7:50pm – (Blue)
One of the earliest contenders for album of the year arrived before we even got used to writing 2016 instead of the previous year on the top-right corner of our homework, by way of Anderson .Paak’s Malibu. The music is dope and easy to appreciate by Hip Hop heads, R&B’ers, ravers, and everyone in between. If you like Kendrick Lamar’s music but wondered what it would sound if it was projected through a Frank Ocean lens, then you’ll really dig what .Paak has to offer.
Sufjan Stevens
Saturday, 8:30pm – (Green)
As Pitchfork as it gets, Sufjan Stevens will headline on Saturday and all the Indie gods will rejoice with this set. Going beyond the playful cynicism, Sufjan Stevens truly is an amazing artist with spectacular music that commands respect from anyone that considers themselves a music connoisseur. His album Illinois can be argued to be a masterpiece (I’d vouch for it!) and the fact that this fest appearance will take place in the state that provided its namesake and in a city that inspired much of its songs, we can expect Stevens will deliver mighty renditions of those cuts as closes things out on Day 2.
HOMME
Sunday, 2:50pm – (Blue)
The POD faves were a (very) late addition to this year’s lineup, but having this pair at “Pitchfork” only strengthens the Sunday lineup to the point that it makes the final day of the fest the best of them all. Going from personal experience, we know Macie Stewart and Sima Cunningham will deliver a stunning performance that will make a fan out of anyone and they will leave plenty more craving for a follow-up to their 2015 self-titled EP to arrive ASAP.
Miguel
Sunday, 7:25pm – (Red)
Low-key, this is my early pick for the best performance of the festival. I saw this man deliver an amazing performance as the rain gods blessed the Governors Ball crowd to a wet set of Miguel’s best R&B joints. Miguel was feeding off a crowd that braved through cascading waters to see him do what he does best, and he sure as hell didn’t disappoint. The music is sexy and the show will be sexy, so the mood will be set for one sexy-ass party on a Sunday evening!
FKA twigs
Sunday, 8:30pm – (Green)
There aren’t too many artists these days that capture all your senses quite like FKA twigs can, so it only makes sense that she was picked to cap off the festival this year. Her music is futuristic, alternative, and just plain dope, while her body will move in ways that can simply be described as mesmerizing.
