Chicagoist: You're Running Out of Time to Get Your 'Fork On

JKM

Tue, 12 Jun 2007 00:40:53 -0600

Damnit. I never thought the 3 days would sell out this early. I've got to stop procrastinating.

Chris

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 16:32:29 -0600

Since many of these bands to come around so often, I suppose I could just look at is as an opportunity to see them in a different environment. I just remember how I felt at the first Pitchfork and seeing DFA1979 perform. The experience was night and day from seeing them at the Bottle not long before that. It just can't compare. But maybe its my mistake for expecting that they should. I don't mean to bash. I do appreciate the events that are born in this city, and certainly want to encourage more and more of it. I guess outdoor festivals just aren't my cup of tea. I'll keep my thoughts to myself since I'm obviously in the minority. Enjoy your Pitchfork. :)

tankboy

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 15:45:29 -0600

I'm with the majority here ... I've loved all the previous PFork fests and love spending summer days, with friends, in a park full of like-minded folks having a fine time, and taking in some terrific music.

Stephen

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 15:24:41 -0600

I've very much liked the Pitchfork and Intonation festivals in Union Park over the past few years. Why? Because I like music outdoors, but can't stand the terrible music that usually accompanies the environment (John Mayer, Shania Twain, and Slipknot come to mind - don't ask why). Seeing a show at the Bottle is great too, but being outdoors is a whole different experience. I can't think of a better way to spend a hot afternoon than lying in the shade with my wife and friends, nursing a beer, and listening to some good music.

Ryan S.

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 15:18:22 -0600

How unfortunate that the city and Pitchfork can team up to provide an entire weekend's worth of festivities in a beautiful location for only $53 dollars, and someone will still be complaining about it. Here is a novel idea: don't go if you aren't into it. As stated before, if you are an "indie kid" (questionable use of nomenclature) and are used to seeing your favorite bands at intimate venues, you've already seen all of these bands in the past year (sometimes 2 or 3 times as Chicago is a huge market for the majority of these acts). If you wanted to "check out" Battles, you should've done that at some point in the past 4 years that they've been amassing the fan base they have. These bands aren't really on the cusp...they are well-established and big draws for the most part. That's why its a festival. The Pitchfork festival is most definitely about soaking up the sun, having some beers, shopping for posters and records, and enjoying the atmosphere. Being able to complain about something like that is just beyond me...

Chris

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 13:17:24 -0600

True. Fortunately a lot of these bands are pretty good about coming around and around and around again. I guess i'm just spoiled. I'll go see the same band a few times in a year if they are playing in a smallish venue. Last year I was pissed about the Futureheads, even though I had seen them a couple of times not too long before Pitchfork. Sigh. Its so far from ideal but I'm sure I'll end up going anyway. What I'd really enjoy is if Pitchfork was a music fest similar to how South By Southwest (SXSW) in Austin is run. One price for seeing many many bands all in their regular venues. Though the proximity of clubs in Chicago would make that impossible.

E

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 13:04:40 -0600

Well, Battles just played the Bottle a couple months back. If you wanted the intimate show, you had a chance not so long ago. P4k's really all about the experience. While I'm looking forward to this fest, I'm probably not going to go to Lollapalooza, so I went out of my way not to miss LCD Soundsystem or !!! when they played the Metro. I'm looking forward to P4k, I just hope GZA does it right on Friday night and brings along all of the guest MCs that appear on that album. If that's the case, we'll get the whole Wu-Tang Clan. It's not completely far-fetched as they are playing a couple shows this summer including one the week after P'fork.

Chris

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 12:29:30 -0600

I've decided that I hate Pitchfork, and heres why. A huge outdoor music festival for indie kids? It just doesn't make sense. Aren't all the indie kids used to seeing their favorite bands at a nice intimate venue with good sound for $8 - $12 a pop? If thats the case, why would I want to go see my favorite band play a 40 minute set with crappy sound, in the blistering heat with 10,000 other people?? The answer? I don't. I wanted to check out Battles. I'm looking down the list at their tour schedule. Atlanta, nice small venue, Austin, nice small venue. Chicago. PITCHFORK FESTIVAL. Dammit! Every year there is at least one or two bands that I'm dying to see that are stolen out of their otherwise small venue tour to be placed into the Pitchfork line up, and I'm sick of it. Yes, Pitchfork is a good value for the money, but I'll pay for quality over quantity any day. Go away Pitchfork!!