pional || we have been waiting for you

i was there || hot chip (dj set)

Show: Hot Chip DJ Set

Slaptop

Location: Smart Bar

Date: 7.30.15

Memorable Moment: There were a few minutes in the night where Slaptop, the opener, remixed The xx + all was right in the world.

Biggest Letdown: Being the old loser that I am I did not stay long enough to hear Hot Chip, which is hindsight was totally fine. I've seen their live shows twice this year + while fun, I doubt their DJ sets can compare.

This Show: kind of put a bad taste in my mouth. I am always the first to compliment Smart Bar + it probably is still my favorite venue in the city. The bookings are great, the soundsystem is top of the line, + historically the staff has been nothing but professional. The post-War On Drugs crowd seemed pretty tame in my opinion but the door man barked demands to the entire line instead of addressing my simple question. Later that night as I was leaving I saw the very same guy make a kid balance on one foot + then told him he needed to come back later because he was too wobbly which was not at all true. This dude was on a major power trip which as a fan of the venue was pretty disappointing to experience first hand.

i was there || war on drugs

Show: War On Drugs

Location: Metro

Date: 7.30.15

Favorite Song: There's this line at the beginning of "An Ocean In Between the Waves" that goes: "I watch you as you hesitate walking through the rain" + for whatever reason it gets me every time. "Under Pressure" + "Red Eyes" are of course classics too.

Memorable Moment: About a year ago Pitchfork published Inside Man, a look at front man Adam Granduciel's successful career despite the monumental hurdles of personal anxiety. It is a long read but a great read + made me respect this performance that much more knowing how hard it was for him to be away from his "safe place."

Biggest Letdown: Getting there a little late. Bros in the crowd. The usual.

This Show: Even though I saw most of this show from the gallows it was still a really great show. I would put War On Drugs in the same bucket as Ryan Adams or My Morning Jacket -- I don't think their music will ever get old to me.

i was there || toro y moi

Show: Toro Y Moi

Location: Metro

Date: 7.29.15

Favorite Song: I'm a sucker for "Rose Quartz."

Memorable Moment: This was one of those shows I have been waiting to see for a while. I have definitely had some opportunities to see Mr. Chaz Bundick but this one finally panned out.

Biggest Letdown: My date ditched out on me so this was a get there late / leave early kind of night for me.

This Show: Was almost what I expected it to be. I wish I had first seen Toro Y Moi in 2013 during the height of Anything In Return. The newer album just doesn't quite do the same for me.

fka twigs || figure 8

majical cloudz || silver car crash

a project

I'm the queen of making lists of projects that I never seem to complete but I really want to take a stab at this DIY. I should note that there are no instructions + I have no prior knowledge of weaving, but it seems doable to me.

via

tourist || waves

i was there || fort romeau

Show: Fort Romeau

Location: Anita Dee Yacht

Date: 7.23.15

Memorable Moment: Fort Romeau sounded great but also seeing Blackhawks fly over you while riding on giant yacht was pretty remarkable.

Biggest Letdown: I'm not sure of this was my "memorable moment" or "biggest letdown" but the crowd on this boat was true club rats. Half the fun of the night was watching the crowds + we had a front row seat.

This Show: While I would have preferred to see Fort Romeau in Chicago's favorite basement it could not have been a more perfect night on Lake Michigan. I'm glad I finally got to check this guy off my list but I would love to see him back in Chicago soon. His music has an easy vibe to it which I enjoy.

i was there || pitchfork music festival

Show: Pitchfork Music Festival

Wilco

CHVRCHES

Panda Bear

Mac Demarco

Future Islands

New Pornographers

Parquet Courts

Kurt Vile

Todd Terje

Caribou

Clark

Jamie xx

Courtney Barnett

Madlib + Freddie Gibbs

Waxahatchee

Location: Union Park

Date: 7.17.15 - 7.19.15

Favorite Song: Being up close + personal for "SeeSaw" by Jamie xx was a definite treat of the weekend.

Memorable Moment: Jamie xx, Clark, Future Islands + Courtney Barnett were my favorites from a musical standpoint. Mac Demarco + Freddie Gibbs were the most hilarious. Overall MVP was Todd Terje. He sounds great + was a ton of fun.

Biggest Letdown: Some brief but nasty weather rolled through Union Park on Saturday. A few moments after the storm passed Sophie had mysteriously disappeared from the lineup. I never heard officially if this was weather related but I was bummed to say the least.

This Show: was another one for the books. Except it was even better because my friend helped me score VIP tickets. The wine spritzers were flowing + aside from a short storm, the weather could not have been more perfect. I probably listened to a little less music this year because of VIP but overall it was another successful Pitchfork weekend.





The fork in the road to Pitchfork. Or Pitchfork alley. Whichever you prefer.