Clusterfest
By Scott Smith in Arts & Entertainment on Mar 10, 2006 4:44PM
Chicagoist is starting to get rock fest whiplash, people. And what's with all the orange in the logos?
Every time we turn around, there’s another announcement about this fest or the other. With each group trying to one-up each other in the press with discounted passes and hot-shit bookings, we’re having trouble keeping up. So here’s a quick summary of the most recent news and what we know so far (updated as of 3/11):
Intonation Music Festival: While organizers are billing this as a return of the highly successful Union Park weekend fest from last year (even going so far as to include pull quotes from Pitchfork's Ryan Schreiber), there’ll undoubtedly be a different vibe when the rock hits the West side on June 24th and 25th. Whereas Pitchfork “curated” last year’s fest, those lovers of the decimal point are going their own way in 2006 (see below). While KEXP is onboard as a sponsor, Vice Recordings is taking over as curator. A limited number of $25 two-day passes will go on sale at the fest’s website while everyone else grabs one-day passes for $20 and two-day passes for $35. So far, the only acts announced are The Streets and Bloc Party. DeRo says the bill will eventually encompass twenty bands and passes along other rumored acts. Boogie chillen!
Pitchfork Music Festival: Yesterday, three more acts were added to the PFMF lineup: Yo La Tengo, Spoon and Tapes ‘n’ Tapes. We’ve watched with mild amusement at the way Pitchfork has glommed onto publicity for Intonation and Lollapalooza by releasing one or two bits of information every time the others make a move. Unfortunately, they run the risk of getting lost in the shuffle, even though you could argue that they’re the real keepers of the Intonation flame as they’ll be bringing back the WLUW record fair and the crafty kids at DEPART-ment when they hit Union Park July 29th and 30th. Two-day passes are available for $30 and one-days for $20 at pitchforkmusicfestival.com. DeRo promises the full lineup will be announced Monday though Pitchfork honcho Ryan Schreiber didn't indicate that in our recent interview.
Lollapalooza: Cheap-ass tickets went on sale (and sold out) last week to the surprise of many even though the full lineup of 130 bands won’t be announced until March 16th when tickets go on sale. Red Hot Chili Peppers, Thievery Corporation and Iron and Wine have all confirmed they’re on tap for the August 4th through 6th shows in Grant Park. The official site now features a blog by Perry Farrell and even the most cursory read will confirm that the dude is always fucking high.
Finally, the 2006 International House Music Festival will throw down on Northerly Island on July 22nd and 23rd with Frankie Knuckles and David Morales headlining.
Whew. We need a nap.
Check back later today for a Chicagoist interview with Pitchfork Media’s Ryan Schreiber, who’ll be dropping some more knowledge on us about the Pitchfork Music Festival.