Friday brought amazing sets from Black Pumas, Jai Paul, Yaeji, ML Buch, and many more
Pitchfork Festival 2024 kicked off in spectacular fashion on Friday at Union Park in Chicago, with acts like Black Pumas, Jai Paul, Yaeji, ML Buch, and many more captivating huge crowds hungry for all things indie.
Early in the afternoon on the Green Stage, Danish dream pop experimentalist ML Buch – performing tracks off last year’s incredible LP Suntub – induced the crowd into a transfixing sonic hypnosis with her minimal, intimate melodies and angular guitar riffs. Meanwhile, singer-songwriter Rosali was busy over on the Blue Stage spellbinding fans via lush and mellow folk-tinged indie rock soundscapes. Also, delivering one of the most unique sets of the day was Zimbabwean-Australian rapper and singer Tkay Maidza over on the Red Stage.
Shortly after, NYC DJ-producer Doss’s dreamy and imaginative brand of electro house and trance brought the dance floor vibes alive, which continued with Yaeji, who delivered her funky and mesmerizing blend of glitch pop and deep house. The energy did not let up as the evening creeped in, thanks to the always outrageous hyperpop-punk duo 100 gecs and the rowdy crowd that went ballistic for them.
The night ended on the one-two punch of Jai Paul and Black Pumas. The former artist, well known for his reclusiveness, delivered an intriguing and enigmatic display of IDM, ebbing and flowing between sparse, mysterious minimalism and classic blown-out bangers like “BTSTU” and “Str8 Outta Mumbai.” Brining the night to a close was Austin, TX band Black Pumas, who turned the Green Stage into a groovy psychedelic soul dance party during their classy headlining set.
You can check out the highlights from a terrific day 1 below.
All Photos By Rachel Kerrigan
