Dope Dozen: Artists to Catch at Pitchfork Music Festival 2023

Chicago! One of the summer’s dopest festivals is finally here. Pitchfork Music Festival is back for its 17th consecutive year at Union Park, and we’re unbelievably excited to once again be in attendance for this wonderful weekend full of eclectic music, vibrant culture, and unrelenting dopeness.

The Pitchfork team has mastered the art of festival production as it’s clear, year after year, that they care not only about the live music, but also the experience beyond the music. Attendees will be able enjoy some of the city’s finest restaurants, an on-site vinyl shop, the infamous, crazy-dope Flatstock poster fair, live artist interviews, and so many other activities to keep it interesting in between the 40+ bands featured this weekend.

I’m always filled with an overwhelming amount of gratitude throughout Pitchfork weekend as this festival perfectly showcases a wide range of perfectly-curated music while simultenatously attracting some of the coolest music fans from around the world. Seriously, the Pitchfork Music Fest crowds are always a beautiful representation of Chicago’s diverse and culturally-rich music scene.

Check out some of the artists below that we know you can’t miss this weekend!

Sen Morimoto – Friday, Green Stage (2:30-3:15pm)

Chicago-based artist Sen Morimoto has to be on your radar if you’re heading to P4k this weekend! The multi-instrumentalist has gracefully repped Sooper Records throughout his discography and we’re so excited and hopeful to hear some new cuts off of his upcoming full-length, Diagnosis. Sen will surely offer a beautiful set filled with gorgeous instrumentation and intricately-layered harmonics to start the weekend off right.

– Jack

MAVI – Friday, Blue Stage, 2:45-3:30
I’ve been lucky enough to see MAVI grace the stage twice in the last few months; first at his headlining show at Lincoln Hall in January and later at the Fake Shore Drive showcase at the House of Vans. The 23-year-old, Charlotte-bred MC commands the stage like an absolute veteran. His discography taps into a massively wide range of emotions and his live performances amplify the emotion tenfold. This will undoubtedly be one of the best hip-hop performances of the weekend.

– Jack

Ric Wilson – Friday, Blue Stage, 6:30-7:15

Ric Wilson is one of our favorites here at PoD! It’s so dope to see that Pitchfork has given him a primetime set on the first day of the weekend. We can tell you, with absolute certainty, that Ric will offer both fans and new listeners a set to thoroughly enjoy. Ric’s uptempo and eclectic discography translates so well in a live setting as he’s nearly perfected his stage presence over the years. I’ll never forget walking up to his 1:45pm Pitchfork set in 2019 and seeing a beautiful showcase of community and love for music in the form of a massive Soul-Train line. I’m sure he has some fun tricks up his sleeve for this year’s P4k!

– Jack

Alvvays – Friday, Red Stage (7:25-8:25pm)

As soon as you’re done partying, you need to cross the park to check out Alvvays. The Toronto group led by Molly Rankin has been around nearly a decade and have conquered hearts with their brand of catchy riffs, breathy vocals, and all-and-all Indie Rock bangers that can appeal to fans that favor Garage Rock and those with more Pop leanings, alike. They released their latest fan favorite album Blue Rev in October ’22, so this is a great opportunity to enjoy their latest material live.

– Oscar

The Smile – Friday, Green Stage (8:30-9:50pm)

This is my top choice for the most highly-anticipated act to catch at Pitchfork Music Festival 2023. I love Radiohead, so naturally my ears perked up and eyes widened when I first learned of this new side project from Thom Yorke and Johnny Greenwood plus Sons of Kemett drummer Tom Skinner. I’ve talked endlessly about their debut album A Light for Attracting Attention and have had my fair share of extended periods of time when this was the album that I listened to the most, so when I found out they’re headlining this year’s festival, I knew I needed to see them. The music is still very much on the progressive side in its composition, often times experimental in nature and raw in sound. They’re dope, trust me.

– Oscar

Big Thief – Saturday, Green Stage (8:30-9:50pm)

This is a very Pitchfork-type of artist… and for that alone, you should expect the Saturday night headliners to deliver something that will fit right at home at Union Park. There’s a delicacy that singer Adrianne Lenker brings to the band that sits so well on me, but I also am quite fond of when they get all weird and create some dope noise as they jam songs away.

Weyes Blood – Saturday, Red Stage (7:25-8:25pm)

I was absolutely captivated by Weyes Blood’s vocals when I first saw her live at the 2017 edition of the festival. If you want to feel like you’re floating in space to the tune of beautiful piano/keys, all while something is pulling at your heartstrings to keep somewhat tethered, this is the set for you.

– Oscar

King Krule – Saturday, Green Stage, 6:15-7:15
I’ve been so blessed to see hundreds of amazing artists perform live over the years but King Krule has always been a bit of an anomaly that I can never seem to catch. Well, finally, I’ll be able to see one of my favorite artists of all time at this year’s Pitchfork Fest! The 28-year-old artist has been recording music for over a decade now, and his beautiful blend of genres is undeniably unique. Pitchfork will be the second stop on his ‘Space Heavy Tour’ following his appearance in Minneapolis tomorrow at First Avenue. I’m not sure what to expect from Archy during this set, but I’m positive he won’t disappoint.

– Jack

JPEGMAFIA – Sunday, Green Stage (4:15-5:10pm)

2018 was the first Pitchfork I attended, and 2019 was the first Pitchfork I was fortunate enough to take pictures at. I had only heard of JPEGMAFIA prior to his performance on Sunday in 2019, but I was quickly introuced to the creative mastermind as he calmly set up his own DJ decks before offering one of the most emotion-driven, eclectic, and inspiring sets I’ve ever seen. Since 2019, Peggy has only gotten more comfortable pushing the boundaries of his art, and I can’t wait to see how his live performance has grown alongside his music. Don’t miss this one.

– Jack

Killer Mike – Sunday, Red Stage (5:15-6:10pm)

Hip-hop powerhouse, social activist, and Run the Jewels co-founder Killer Mike will be blessing the Red Stage this Sunday and I can’t wait to see this one. I was lucky enough to see RTJ at Riot Fest 2021 and the duo commanded the main stage with grace and ease. Killer Mike’s 2023 album <em>Michael</em> will likely be the main focus during this 55-minute set, but I’m sure we’ll be fortunate enough to hear some RTJ classics as well as, possibly, some new cuts from the Atlanta legend.

Kelela – Sunday, Red Stage (7:25-8:25pm)

This songstress from the DMV shines no matter what – whether she’s a guest vocalist on songs with Solange and Gorillaz, or when she’s on the spotlight singing her own tunes. Her sound is forward-thinking, embracing R&B and more progressive Electronic elements to create songs that will inevitably get you bopping your head.

– Oscar

Illuminati Hotties – Sunday, Blue Stage (5:15-6pm)

This band will provide a nice jolt of energy to the typically chill Sundays of the festival. The Punk-Pop spirit of this band really speaks to a part of my youth of which I’m not yet ready to let go, so you can fully expect me jumping (not the full set, obviously, don’t be silly) and headbanging with the rest of ’em. But besides the nostalgia factor, this band has that extra something that just captivates fans that dig guitars and drums doing what Rock-leaning fans enjoy. They’re my sleeper pick for potential best of the fest.

Words by Oscar Oliva and Jack Dombro