The Pitchfork media company has announced their 2019 music festival line-up featuring Robyn, Haim and post-rock legends Stereolab across its three day line-up. The fest, which will take place in Chicago’s Union Park from July 19-21st, will also feature a special 60th anniversary performance by the Isley Brothers, who launched their career into popularity with the song “Shout,” in 1959.
Other prominent artists such as Mavis Staples, Earl Sweatshirt, Belle & Sebastian, Kurt Vile, Pusha T, Parquet Courts, Charli XCX and Snail Mail will also be performing at the festival. This line-up features an expansive list of artists crossing multiple generations from the classic sounds of the Isley Brothers and Mavis Staples, to the new generation such as Chali XCX.
“This summer’s Festival will be my first as editor,” said Pitchfork editor-in-chief Puja Patel regarding the fest. “It’s exciting that it also features such an inclusive lineup. More than half the artists performing are women, including modern pioneers of indie rock and hip-hop, legends of soul and R&B, and a headlining set by the dance-pop icon Robyn. For a national festival that’s so important to a larger music community, the scope of this year’s booking feels especially meaningful.”
Patel joined Pitchfork as their editor-in-chief at the end of 2018, replacing long time editor-in-chief Ryan Schrieber, who stayed witht he publication after it switched ownership in 2015. Patel was the former top editor for Spin, and increased the site’s revenue by 14 percent her first year in the position.
The line-up is following up closely with year’s passed, as 2018’s line-up featured many acts such as indie rock mainstays Tame Impala, all the way to soul and funk legend Chaka Khan. Prices for the festival are also relatively more affordable than other major festivals such as Coachella, with a three day ticket for the Pitchfork music fest costing $175 dollars for general admission. Tickets can be purchased here.
“There are some one-of-a-kind moments in our lineup this year,” said Pitchfork festival director Adam Krefman, “not just big celebratory moments, but also moments with artists who have collaborated recently or have had clear influences on each other over the years. It’s a sign of Pitchfork’s standing in the festival landscape that we’re able to pull together such a special event. And we’re fortunate to have an audience who’s ready to follow us down these curatorial rabbit holes, eager to be surprised year after year.”
Swedish pop star Robyn has been busy touring, going across the states this year performing at venues such as the Hollywood Palladium. After a nearly eight year hiatus in regards to album releases, Robyn dropped Honey, her eight studio album.
As one of the most prominent entirely female bands in music today HAIM have been a huge presence at several festivals across the US. Last year, however, the band fired their manager after discovering that a male performer was paid 10 times more than they were at a festival.
“We had been told that our fee was very low because you played at the festival in the hope that you’d get played on the radio,” said Danielle Haim, the band’s guitarist and lead vocalist. After discovering how much more an other artist was being paid, the agent was fired.
Photo Credit: Brett Padelford