The 2018 Pitchfork Music Festival is right around the corner, so now’s as good a time as any to start looking closely into the lineup and highlighting the performances we’re most interested in seeing.
So look below to find our suggestion of the must-watch performances for #p4kfest 2018.
Courtney Barnett – Friday, 7:25pm – Red Stage
I got to see the Australian rocker the last time around, when she was still a rather fresh-faced act. Since the 2015 appearance, she expanded on her catalog and added a couple projects that would be worth experiencing with a more mature performer.
Japandroids – Sunday, 7:45pm – Blue Stage
If you want to check out a lively set that packs a punch, look no further than what the Canadian duo will be offering on the closing date at the Blue stage. The frenetic energy and anthemic songs will be a hell of a way to bid farewell to the fest.
Kelela – Saturday, 7:45pm – Blue Stage
Her voice is alluring, and she’s been steadily dropping critically-appraised project after critically-appraised project. Last year’s Take Me Apart really elevated her game, and if you throw in her features on tracks by Solange and Gorillaz into this live mix, you better believe she’ll be in the running for MVP of the festival.
Kweku Collins –Sunday, 2:30pm – Green Stage
From the moment this Chicago area rapper sprung into the scene, Kweku has repeatedly impressed listeners left and right. His vibe is a bit unconventional in the greater context of Hip Hop, but his music is always a mood and there’s absolutely no denying his stage presence is supercharged by his infectious energy.
Noname – Sunday, 5:15pm – Red Stage
Noname is one of those elusive figures in our scene lately, abandoning social media almost entirely and using a single Insta post teasing her eventual return will be paired with new music, which helps make this Day 3 appearance one of the most exciting and can’t-miss sets of the fest. Telefone was one of 2016’s strongest projects regardless of genres, and her live performances only elevate her sound.
Melkbelly – Friday, 1:45pm – Red Stage
Chicago’s noise Rock band is having their moment in the sun. They’ve got a few years under their belt, and this P4kfest appearance may very well be the springboard that helps them take them to the next level. Plus, this early afternoon set has all the buzzsaw guitar riffs you’ll need to kick off Day 1 with invigorating style.
Ravyn Lenae – Sunday, 3:20pm – Red Stage
This girl is special. Her sound is the future! There are few artists we’ve been following since pretty much they first started, but Ravyn is one of them, so we have to check her out on that alone… However, when you throw in just how much she’s evolved and how her Crush EP is all delectable, future-thinking music, then you’ve got yourself a queen of music in the making. Also, aesthetically, she’s a damn leader, so photogs out there, you won’t want to miss this either.
Saba– Friday, 5:15pm – Red Stage
I have to say this here: Saba’s set is my most-highly-anticipated of the entire festival. Care For Me is one of my top contenders for best projects of 2018 so far. Saba is one of Chicago’s finest artists and with this hometown show, you should expect him to bring to the stage everything he’s got. And the fact that so many of the other local acts on this list are also friends/collaborators, surprise appearances are a pleasant possibility.
Smino – Sunday, 4:15pm – Green Stage
One of the most exciting acts. Smino’s vocal delivery is the perfect punctuation to the slinky, spacey production. He’s another one of those artists that just embodies cool. He’s been slowly releasing newer material recently, so when you’ve got an artist on the rise like Smi, you can imagine that new stuff will be fire.
Syd – Friday, 6:15pm – Green Stage
Syd’s been making dope music with her group The Internet for a while, and as its members dipped out for a sec to release solo efforts, Syd made sure she stood out on her own accord this time as well. Consider her solo stuff is flame, and the fact that Hive Mind comes out this Friday, I can only imagine they’ve got something special up their sleeves for Pitchfork Fest.
Tame Impala – Friday, 8:30pm – Green Stage
Tame Impala are the heavyweights of this lineup. Their effortless, cool style mixed with head-wrapping psychedelic sound will likely generate the biggest draw of the weekend, and for good reason. Also, Rihanna is a fan, so what other endorsement do you even need?
The War on Drugs – Saturday, 7:25pm – Red Stage
This Indie Rock staple should expect quite the crowd, largely because their last effort A Deeper Understanding helped further cement their legacy as one of those bands that are damn consistently good. Headlining the Red stage will be a fitting reward for all these years of sweet tunes.
