TVD Live: Pitchfork Music Festival, 7/15

2:55 PM: En route to Cherry Glazerr I catch some of Weyes Blood’s pretty set.

2:59 PM: I’m noticing lots of little fans in the crowd today. It’s family day at the fest, adding a whole new element of cute to Pitchfork.

3:17 PM: The Blue Stage is packed for Cherry Glazerr, and rightfully so. They are rocking hard and sounding even better than when they first caught my attention opening for Wavves and Best Coast in February ’16.

4:25 PM: Mitski began her set soft and controlled, allowing it to build into emotional catharsis. Puberty 2, her fourth album released last year is still getting a lot of play in my home, so it was a thrill to finally see her live.

5:05 PM: George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic are doing what they came to do: bring the funk. The Mothership has taken over the Green Stage—I feel like there are 20 people up there right now—and George is conducting the large crowd.

5:37 PM: George and Parliament play over their set time and The Feelies and their crowd are not feeling it. “It’s called courtesy,” Bill Million says before they dive into their set. I get their frustration, but they quickly kick off their set of music that’s lasted the test of time.

5:55 PM: I decided to catch the end of Francis and the Lights set at the Blue Stage and I’m glad I did. Apparently climbing the stage wasn’t enough and now Francis has perched himself in a tree, singing. A one-man wonder.

6:35 PM: Angel Olsen is one of my favorite musicians, but I decide to miss the beginning of her set to catch beats master and hip hop legend, Madlib. He’s showing these millennials the true art of DJing.

6:50 PM: Oh, Angel. Your music is wonderful for any time, but this sunset set is giving me all the emotions. Nice to have you back in Chicago, even if just for a night.

7:48 PM: PJ Harvey hasn’t aged. She is also the epitome of cool, with her haunting harmonies and backing marching band. There are audible “WOW!”s happening around me. This set is going to go down as one of my all-time favorite Pitchfork sets.

8:17 PM: Ice-T and Xzibit are spotted side stage waiting for what we’ve all been waiting for: A Tribe Called Quest.

9:08 PM: “This is our first show without Phife,” Q-Tip tells the crowd, “So we appreciate the energy you’re all giving us right now.” An untouched microphone stands between Jarobi and Q-Tip, honoring their bandmate who they lost suddenly last March.

9:45 PM: Add another one to my ongoing list of Pitchfork Fest’s best because holy shit, A Tribe Called Quest is putting on the show of the weekend. Pioneers, innovators, masterminds. I’m tired but I cannot leave. I refuse to miss one minute. They’re reminding everyone (in case they somehow forgot) that they got it from here. Thank you for YOUR service, ATCQ!

11:47 PM: I’m not sure how I mustered the energy, but I’m here at the Ace Hotel for a surprise preview of Vic Mensa’s debut album, The Autobiography. Vic walks us through the album (which sounds great, by the way) and offers anecdotes and explanations behind each song.

WEYES BLOOD