Stage Buzz: Pitchfork Music Festival, Chicago: Day of Doom Festival, Metal Monkey Brewing, Romeoville
Stereolab
Pitchfork Music Festival
July 19, 20, 21
Union Park,
Chicago
The 2019 edition of the Pitchfork Music Festival boasts a little bit of everything for both current day AND former hipsters. As an offshoot of the influential website, the line-ups each year continue to champion the artists that have received online exposure. Sunday’s headliner Robyn was once slotted into a mid-afternoon set time, but so consistent is P4K’s crystal ball, she’s now primetime. Another trend in their past few seasons has been to allow classic artists to reach a MUCH younger audience. This year’s recipients of those headlining slots go to the national treasures that are Mavis Staples and The Isley Brothers, who will celebrate the milestone of 60 years in the business. Stereolab will sate the aging indie rockers, and from the undercard, perhaps one or more future headliners will emerge. If anything, Pitchfork Music Festival has groomed attendees to not only expect the unexpected but that, during its three-day run, you may find your new favorite band. Tickets.
-Curt Baran
Day of Doom Festival
July 20
Metal Monkey Brewing
Romeoville
Romeoville’s acclaimed Metal Monkey Brewing’s annual “Doom Fest” pairs up their tasty festival beer options (a dark IPA, Atramentous is being released specifically for the event) and six of Chicagoland’s top metal bands (leaning toward doom metal genre), including Varaha‘s orchestral dark metal, and the abrasive Sabbath-influenced metal of Sacred Monster. The bonus on a hot Saturday is patrons get the option of choosing the tent in the parking lot to take in the music and then taking a break in the air conditioned confines of the brewery. You don’t get that at most outdoor fests unless your paying for ultra VIP. Besides the music, a selection of food trucks will be on hand offering options from wood fired pizza to mac and cheese and empanadas. Tickets are $17/$20 for the music. Both food and brews are extra. From Noon until 11pm. DJ Vixyn spins betweens sets.
-David Gedge
Category: Stage Buzz
