Pitchfork 2017 started out with a shot of adrenaline as a trio of female-fronted acts – Madame Gandhi (Red Stage), Priests (Green Stage) and Dawn Richard (Blue Stage) – opened up each of the colorful stages on Friday, July 14 with poetry, punk rock and contemporary R&B, respectfully. Before LCD Soundsystem would make their triumphant return to Chicago’s Union Park as the evening’s headliners, fans enjoyed explosive performances from Vince Staples and Danny Brown as well as a fuzz-filled set compliments of Thurston Moore.
Thurston Moore
Moore perfectly set the tone with contemplative, and at times brooding, jams that steadily crept into the souls of fans with precision and patience. The beautiful, hazy climax of “Cease Fire” found the Sonic Youth legend and his “Rock N Roll Consciousness” band psychically fusing with all within earshot thanks to their sweeping improvisations. After a call for strict gun control, Moore set-off existential alarm bells with an inspired rendition of “Turn On” highlighted by a booming instrumental break mid-song. He later shared a “sweet memory” about Black Flag and haircut heckling before getting down to the business of rock with the decisive track, “Cusp.”
Vince Staples
It’s often been said that rappers are the new rock stars and by the looks of the massive mosh pits that overtook both Staples’ and Brown’s sets that analysis is 100 percent accurate. Staples’ furious approach to his craft allowed him to connect with the massive crowd through visceral intensity. Fans at the Green Stage absolutely erupted when the stark beat of “BagBak” was unleashed from the speakers while his self-proclaimed “magnum opus,” “Norf Norf,” evoked and explosion of dancing across the field. Staples’ stage presence more than filled the expanse of the main stage, but his set could have been brought to the next level with the addition of an accompanying DJ – or even better a live band – rather than performing to a backing track.
Danny Brown
Whereas Staples brought the fury, Brown brought the fun. His carefree aura was infectious and inspired fans to sing, dance and smile his set away. “Die Like a Rockstar” found the rapper often striking his iconic pose – tongue out with the sign of the horns displayed overhead – and the grandiose defiance of “When It Rain” offered a catharsis of rebellion in the wake of the current state of the world.
Elsewhere in Union Park, Hiss Golden Messenger offered uplifting and idealistic sounds with enjoyable tunes like “Saturday’s Song” and “Say It Like You Mean It.” They also shared several new tracks much to the delight of fans at the Red Stage. Kamaiyah, Dirty Projectors, Frankie Cosmos and more also delivered enjoyable sets throughout Pitchfork Day One.
Hiss Golden Messenger
Just after 8 p.m., Pitchfork legends LCD Soundsystem stepped onto the Green Stage – seven years after last headlining the festival – to enrapture fans with their disco-infused, rock jams. “Tribulations,” “Daft Punk Is Playing at My House” and, of course, “All My Friends,” showcased the many talents of James Murphy and company when it comes to writing and performing insightful, meditative, irresistibly danceable music.
The Pitchfork Music Festival takes place in Chicago’s Union Park July 14 –16. Click here for more information about the festivities and here for our complete Day 2 coverage.
(Photos by Laurie Fanelli)