Now that we’ve fully recovered from Intonation this weekend, we’re stepping back to try and answer two questions: did the organizers create a brand separate from the Pitchfork Media juggernaut and is Chicago ready for a fest that brings together rockers and rappers with b-boys and badasses? We can’t find any fault with Intonation’s eclectic combination of musical artists. Some turned in performances that underwhelmed, while others could fairly be called historic (Roky Erickson) or... more ›

(Editor’s Note: Are you an out-of-towner preparing to make the trek to Chicago this summer and wondering how to spend your time? Then download Act Like You've Been Here Before: The Chicagoist Guide To Chicago, a compendium of the Chicagoist staff’s tips for getting around Chicago and our favorite places in the city to eat, drink, shop and rock) in convenient PDF form. Perhaps it’s not surprising that the lion’s share of the press about... more ›

In an effort to hype its Pitchfork Music Festival in Union Park this summer, organizers are tying themselves in to some already existing arts events in the city this summer. According to Pitchfork Media, the Chicago Cultural Center’s Lunchbreak series, in the weeklong run-up to the fest, will be devoted to bands handpicked by the owners and operators of several clubs affiliated with the League of Chicago Music Venues like Schuba’s, the Hideout, Metro, Martyr’s... more ›

Yesterday, we learned that Lollapalooza sold 3,000 tickets without even announcing a single band. Today, not to be outdone, Pitchfork announced six of their thirty-six slated acts for the Pitchfork Media Festival. Here are the six acts that are supposed to get us all excited and ready to buy tickets on Monday. That's right - in three days these one- and two-day passes go on sale. No word yet on exact sale time, but we know the price this year will be $20 for the one-day pass and a mere $30 for the two-day pass. more ›

We’re not sure if you noticed, but Greg Kot was a busy guy at the end of last week. On Friday, Kot reported that the Smashing Pumpkins will not be reuniting at Coachella this April. Over the last couple weeks, published reports created a veritable Hokey Pokey of information: you had your Pumpkins in, you had your Pumpkins out. Whether Corgan backed out or was never in it to begin with remains a cause for... more ›

The little indie fest that could is all growed up and coming back to Union Park in Chicago on July 29-30. Pitchfork Media has decided that their name needs to be hyped more, but expect the same independent music. Last summer 30,000 people stood in long lines at Intonation Fest for water and were generally nice to one another while hearing from the likes of The Decemberists, Out Hud, The Go! Team and many... more ›

Last night, some of Chicago’s best-known music writers and editors got together to answer a simple question: how does an unknown band get nice things written about them? The discussion, presented by the Chicago Music Commission was titled “Pitching Your Story: Media and Local Music” with Chicago Tribune music critic Greg Kot serving as moderator. In attendance were Scott Plagenhoef of Pitchfork Media; Peter Margasak of the Chicago Reader; David Jakubiak, with the Chicago Sun-Times;... more ›

Do you talk about bands your friends have never heard of? Do you often rate the things around you in tenths of a point? Do you dislike money? Then perhaps an internship at Pitchfork is for you! more ›

Pitchfork Media's Intonation Music Festival 2005 took place this past weekend and Chicagoist was there from start to finish. The organizers of Intonation proved it's possible to put on a safe and enjoyable destination music festival that stays true to its audience and reflects the city of Chicago's rock community. We'll be posting a write-up of the fest later today but for now enjoy our Flickr photosets of Day One and Day Two or check... more ›

UPDATE: Scott Plagenhoef, Managing Editor of Pitchfork, wrote us with the following: "Here is the info on the water situation: The Chicago Park District is providing extra water stations throughout the site. If people wish to purchase water, it will be available at a cost of $1/half-liter." When asked about restrictions on water at this weekend’s Intonation Festival during WXRT’s Sound Opinions radio program, Intonation Music Festival organizer and Pitchfork Media head honcho Ryan Schreiber... more ›

Pitchfork Media, that doyenne of indie rock criticism, kicks off the first Intonation Music Festival this Saturday with one of the most distinguished lineups of bands you’ve probably never heard of in your entire life. We know many of you have been losing your shit for weeks over the chance to see artists like A.C. Newman, The Go! Team, Broken Social Scene, and the Decemberists share the same bill and have also been giving the... more ›