Playing an extremely tight set, hometown favorites Lifeguard delivered their fast paced garage rock in the style of Mission of Burma. With a vengeance, the trio played their hearts out with a pace that would be jarring if it weren’t so catchy. They also modestly thanked their fans pogoing up front, saying playing Pitchfork was a dream come true for them. It’s amazing a three piece can manage to sound so full and energized!
L’Rain serenaded the crowd with a sound that was, at first, soft and ambient but built up its emotional intensity. The gentleness became increasingly captivating as their set evolved. The dynamics between the guitar playing with pedal effects was especially interesting and the five piece also included keyboard parts and occasional saxaphone with some dreamy vocals mixed in.
Sultry with deep folk reveries, Kara Jackson continued some of the vibe that L’Rain previously brought with her own spin on it. She has a way of playing that feels so intimate despite the festival setting and the violin accompaniment was also a treat!
Water From Your Eyes is unpredictable but intriguing. There are times of sweet melodies and then abrasive rifts and you can’t quite be sure what you might hear next. It’s too bad lead singer Rachel Brown wasn’t feeling well but they still played an engaging set. (She said maybe it was karma for sneaking into Pitchfork Music Festival ten years ago.) The duo played as a four piece with another guitarist and drummer to fill out their sound as well, which most definitely helped establish the presence of their intriguing songs!
Sometimes, there’s nothing in the world better than a perfect song. That’s what this reviewer kept thinking while listening to the super catchy punk rock of Sweeping Promises. The duo (performing with a drummer) played a spectacular set where every belted out lyric was heartfelt and every jump reminded you of the unbearable lightness of being. Let’s also not also forget all the fun behind the talent and passion! Sweeping Promises is always worth seeing so make sure to catch them in your city whenever possible! Good Living is (indeed) Coming For You! Their set was the highlight of the day!
There is a ton of history with a band like Bratmobile, who have been making music for over 30 years, so it’s even more incredible how youthful riot girl Allison Wolfe still is. There wasn’t a still moment on stage when she wasn’t pogoing, kicking, and dancing without missing a beat. In between the short energetic songs, she mentioned long time Chicago favorites Liz Phair and Rainbo Club but kept the set moving at a roller coaster pace and the band as a whole possessed a fantastic dynamic energy that made for both a captivating listening and watching experience. For the last song, which was a cover of “Cherry Bomb,”by The Runaways, the band also brought out the “next generation of Brats!”
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