TVD Live: Pitchfork Music Festival, 7/19

2:26PM: I’m en route to the 15th Annual Pitchfork Music Festival in Union Park and currently listening to Pitchfork Radio’s live stream. Chicago native Tasha has just finished up an intimate, beautiful set and I imagine she’s heading somewhere air-conditioned to cool off. We’re in the middle of a severe heat wave and it’s taking its toll on everyone. The current “feels like” temperature is 109 degrees F.

2:32PM: Grapetooth is playing DJ now and the song selection is Chicago-centric. It’s appropriate, given that every year Pitchfork devotes a decent chunk of the lineup to local talent.

2:52PM: I’ve made it inside the park and the heat is no joke. I’m sweating, but not as badly as Standing on the Corner, who happen to be playing directly in the sun on the Green Stage. There looks to be a full orchestra on the stage—dozens of musicians—and the melodies flood the field.

3:03PM: Rico Nasty puffs on a joint and observes the scene from the Blue Stage. She’s drawn a crowd and there’s a large consortium of them who seem unfazed by the heat as they’re moshing.

3:22PM: Valee hasn’t broken a sweat and is spitting verse, cool as a cucumber. HOW?!

3:58PM: I’m so pleased to see Pitchfork giving the Young Chicago Authors’ Louder Than A Bomb Poets a platform. They’re performing spoken word in between sets on the Blue Stage, and it’s mighty impressive and inspiring.

4:08PM: Grapetooth is here to dance, and so are their fans. The drums are loud, the synth is singing, and the boogie-ing has commenced.

4:25PM: Something’s up with Sky Ferreira. She’s currently 10 minutes late and her band is looking confused. One member is vaping.

4:55PM: It’s been a rough set for Sky Ferreira but the crowd is supportive. “Everything that could’ve possibly gone wrong has gone wrong,” she explained. But despite the mishaps, she’s settled in and is covering Til Tuesday’s “Voices Carry.” It’s a highlight moment.

5:32PM: Earl Sweatshirt is hot. “WHY?!” he exclaims. “It’s so hot, Chicago!” Despite his frustration with the heat, his set is effortlessly groovy.

6:08PM: Julia Holter mesmerizes live. She’s wailing and pounding on her keyboard keys.

6:44PM: Pusha T is sampling a ton of G.O.O.D. Music and I’m not complaining.

7:34PM: Mavis Staples continues to be a national treasure and needs to be protected at all costs. She’s drawn the largest crowd of the day and it’s just a sea of smiles.

RICO NASTY