Pitchfork 2024: Bratmobile, Unwound return to Chicago for Day 2 (2024)

Chicago came ready to represent on Day 2 of Pitchfork Music Fest. Though the skies were a bit overcast, by 1 p.m., the crowd at Union Park was several times the size of Friday’s modest gathering, with many huddled close by the Green Stage, clearly getting the memo on catching local up-and-comers Lifeguard.

Fashion choices also showed off a hearty dose of Chicago pride. Some in the crowd were carrying tote bags from area record stores like Rolling Stone Records or Shuga (likely picked up with a stop at the onsite Chirp Record Fair). At least two people were also wearing Shellac T-shirts, an homage to the late, great Steve Albini, who passed away just over two months ago.

It was a small part of what could’ve been a better tribute at the festival, with a good number of artists on the lineup having logged time at Albini’s Electrical Audio over the years.

Pitchfork 2024: Bratmobile, Unwound return to Chicago for Day 2 (1)

Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Across the park, other hints of Chicago-grown brands have been evident, from Revolution Brewing’s large presence to bites from Café Tola and Beat Kitchen, a much-needed taste of home to contrast to an influx of national sponsors like Nespresso and the city of Austin, Texas, of all places.

“Visit Austin, come relax with the live music capital of the world,” read multiple banners, oddly condescending in light of Chicago’s own thriving scene, which has been more evident than ever this weekend

Here are reviews of some of Saturday’s acts on Day 2 of Pitchfork:

Pitchfork Day 2 Headliners

Pitchfork Music Festival

Carly Rae Jepsen

“Little did many in the huddled, assembled mass have any idea of the master class in pop music that was about to unfold on stage at Pitchfork.”

ByJim Ryan | For the Sun-Times

Pitchfork Music Festival

Jamie xx

House music’s four-on-the-floor beat was on display throughout Jamie Smith’s 75-minute headlining DJ set.

ByJim Ryan | For the Sun-Times

All Pitchfork Reviews

Day One

  • Black Duck
  • Angry Blackmen
  • ML Buch
  • Tkay Maidza
  • Amen Dunes
  • 100 gecs
  • Sudan Archives
  • Jeff Rosenstock
  • Black Pumas

Day Two

  • Lifeguard
  • L'Rain
  • Kara Jackson
  • Wednesday
  • De La Soul
  • Bratmobile
  • Carly Rae Jepsen
  • Unwound
  • Jamie xx

Day Three

  • Akenya
  • Nala Sinephro
  • Model/Actriz
  • Grandmaster Flash
  • MUNA
  • Brittany Howard
  • Les Savy Fav
  • Alanis Morissette

Pitchfork in photos

Pitchfork 2024: Bratmobile, Unwound return to Chicago for Day 2 (4)

Kayla Brill, left, and Lindsey Hardison enjoy some wine while sitting on a blanket in Union Park during the first day of Pitchfork, Friday, July 19, 2024. | Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times

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Pitchfork 2024: Bratmobile, Unwound return to Chicago for Day 2 (5)

Gabe Villalleal dances along with ML Buch as they perform on the first day of Pitchfork in Union Park, Friday, July 19, 2024. | Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times

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Pitchfork 2024: Bratmobile, Unwound return to Chicago for Day 2 (6)

Festival goers enjoy Angry Blackmen on the first day of Pitchfork in Union Park, Friday, July 19, 2024. | Payton Reich/Sun-Times

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Pitchfork 2024: Bratmobile, Unwound return to Chicago for Day 2 (7)

New large VIP viewing platforms sit in front of the Green stage obscuring the view of the stage around the lawn of Union Park on the first day of Pitchfork Friday, July 19, 2024. | Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times

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Pitchfork 2024: Bratmobile, Unwound return to Chicago for Day 2 (8)

Festival goers beat the heat by taking shade the trees at Union Park during the first day of Pitchfork, Friday, July 19, 2024. | Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times

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Pitchfork 2024: Bratmobile, Unwound return to Chicago for Day 2 (9)

Festival goers enjoy Angry Blackmen on the first day of Pitchfork in Union Park, Friday, July 19, 2024. | Peyton Reich/ Sun-Times

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Pitchfork 2024: Bratmobile, Unwound return to Chicago for Day 2 (10)

Carro Sharkey, left, and Stevie Gunter dance and sway to ML Buch as they perform on the first day of Pitchfork in Union Park, Friday, July 19, 2024. | Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times

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Pitchfork 2024: Bratmobile, Unwound return to Chicago for Day 2 (11)

Festival goers enjoy the first day of Pitchfork in Union Park, Friday, July 19, 2024. | Peyton Reich/ Sun-Times

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Pitchfork 2024: Bratmobile, Unwound return to Chicago for Day 2 (12)

Stevie Gunter, left, dances with Carro Sharkey as Tkay Maidza performs on the first day of Pitchfork in Union Park, Friday, July 19, 2024. | Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times

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Joan Harris and Lavvlo Collins pose for a photo on the first day of Pitchfork in Union Park, Friday, July 19, 2024. | Peyton Reich/ Sun-Times

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Pitchfork 2024: Bratmobile, Unwound return to Chicago for Day 2 (14)

Festival goers enjoy the first day of Pitchfork in Union Park, Friday, July 19, 2024. | Peyton Reich/ Sun-Times

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Pitchfork 2024: Bratmobile, Unwound return to Chicago for Day 2 (15)

Angry Balckmen performs on the first day of Pitchfork in Union Park, Friday, July 19, 2024. | Peyton Reich/ Sun-Times

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Festival goers enjoy the first day of Pitchfork in Union Park, Friday, July 19, 2024. | Peyton Reich/ Sun-Times

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Pitchfork 2024: Bratmobile, Unwound return to Chicago for Day 2 (17)

Angry Balckmen performs on the first day of Pitchfork in Union Park, Friday, July 19, 2024. | Peyton Reich/ Sun-Times

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Sudan Archives performs on the first day of Pitchfork in Union Park, Friday, July 19, 2024. | Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times

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Black Pumas performs on the first day of Pitchfork in Union Park, Friday, July 19, 2024. | Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times

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Pitchfork 2024: Bratmobile, Unwound return to Chicago for Day 2 (20)

Festival goers enjoy music under sunny skies on Pitchfork Day 2 in Union Park, July 20, 2024. | Peyton Reich/Sun-Times

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Pitchfork 2024: Bratmobile, Unwound return to Chicago for Day 2 (21)

A fan dances at Pitchfork Music Festival in Union Park, July, 20, 2024. | Peyton Reich/Sun-Times

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Kids and adults rock out during Pitchfork Day 2 in Union Park, July 20, 2024. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

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Pitchfork 2024: Bratmobile, Unwound return to Chicago for Day 2 (23)

Fans dance in the crowd during Pitchfork Day 2 in Union Park, July 20, 2024. | Peyton Reich/Sun-Times

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Lifeguard

Pitchfork 2024: Bratmobile, Unwound return to Chicago for Day 2 (44)

Peyton Reich/ Sun-Times

A little injury was not going to sink Lifeguard’s Pitchfork debut on Saturday. Guitarist-vocalist Kai Slater (his right foot visibly in a boot) may have had to sit in a folding chair for the duration of the quick 38-minute set. But nothing about him was still as he frenetically wielded his instrument — sometimes even playing with one of his crutches — to help produce the unmistakable noise that brands the fuzzy punk trio, completed by bassist Asher Case and drummer Isaac Lowenstein.

“This is a dream come true for us — it means a lot you guys came,” Slater shared mid-set before giving a shoutout to fellow locals Horsegirl, with whom Lifeguard is closely associated. Both are signed to indie tastemaker label Matador and both bands have members of the same family.

That sense of community and camaraderie has been a big part of the recent uprising of the Chicago rock-punk-indie scene — of which Lifeguard is a huge focal point — and it was paid back handsomely by the adoring crowd, who hollered with every song, including two brand-new tracks.

“You can’t record this one with your phone though,” Slater half-jokingly warned; of course, that only led a good handful to do so.

Pitchfork 2024: Bratmobile, Unwound return to Chicago for Day 2 (45)

Peyton Reich/ Sun-Times

There is both a musical and aesthetic sense that is wise beyond the young years of Lifeguard — formed in 2019, with one LP and a double composite EP, “Crowd Can Talk / Dressed in Trenches,” to its name. While the bandmates might have looked like they just robbed a thrift shop, still picking out the best options available, it’s symbolic of how they craft their music, carving it out from a deep appreciation and knowledge of a deep catalog while making it fresh and all their own.

What results is a wide palette of carefully structured songs that are at one moment ferocious and fueled by feedback and the next, rhythmic and balanced. “Now that’s an opener,” one guy nearby perfectly remarked.

Selena Fragassi

L’Rain

Pitchfork 2024: Bratmobile, Unwound return to Chicago for Day 2 (46)

Peyton Reich/Sun-Times

From a MUNA license plate spotted in a nearby parking lot to a girl with a Carly Rae Jepsen tattoo on her arm and several wearing Jessie Ware t-shirts, there was no shortage of visible excitement at midday Saturday for the acts playing later.

Yet, one of the undercard acts that now will surely enter that worship league is L’Rain. It’s the nom de plume of Taja Cheek, a Brooklyn native who cut her teeth in that borough’s bustling DIY scene and also become immersed in the art world as the much-respected curator of performance and sound for Whitney Biennial.

L’Rain’s music is a superlative-earning combination of both, a collage of ad hoc loops coloring a palette of sounds from jazz to ambient to drone to shoegaze and orchestral pop that’s nothing but pure art. Even when the wrong loop, mired in funk, interrupted a more passive instrumental piece, it was hard to question the progression. That could’ve just been L’Rain’s genius again.

So focused was she that she had no time for pointless banter between songs and even her guitarist had to remove L’Rain’s sunglasses in a pinch so as not to interrupt her flow. Accented by four incredible musicians, the set could be best described like a healing sound bath, rooted in both new age and ancient soundscapes. The true miracle was that the ensemble could make the noises they did in such a finicky open-air environment — again the work of total pros.

The performance today was a sort of repeat of last year’s Re:Set Festival, where L’Rain was on the lineup with Jamie xx (another Saturday Pitchfork act) though she was rained out at that event. And it’s hopefully not the last we see of the talent as she continues promoting her boldly named 2023 album, “I Killed Your Dog.” But just in case, go see her after show with Model/Actriz at Empty Bottle tonight. “I promise I’ll talk more at my show later,” she vowed.

—Selena Fragassi

Kara Jackson

Pitchfork 2024: Bratmobile, Unwound return to Chicago for Day 2 (47)

Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

“I wrote this song around the time that I was 17,” said poet, singer songwriter and guitarist Kara Jackson during her Saturday performance on the Green Stage. “Which is also the age I dreamed about playing Pitchfork.”

Jackson, now 25, was born in Oak Park, about seven miles west of Pitchfork’s Union Park home. With a spoken-word background as a published poet, serving as U.S. National Youth Poet Laureate five years ago, Jackson displayed an appreciation for storytelling and prose over the course of her 45 minutes on stage.

Taking on dynamic vocals and acoustic guitar, Jackson was backed by a terrific four-piece band, featuring an array of instrumentation ranging anywhere from violin to brass.

Bass and delicately fingerpicked acoustic guitar provided a sparse backing early as Jackson opened up with “Right, Wrong or Ready,” with incisive live violin soon cutting through all of it.

“Every person that I’ve dated / Tells me I’m intimidating / Like a snake that’s busy preying,” sang the poet on stage at Pitchfork. Songs don’t get more introspective than “No Party,” and that line brought a large early crowd to its feet Saturday afternoon. “No Party” is a track where bass doesn’t rumble as much as it gurgles beneath, setting a foreboding tone that lent the standout track a cinematic feel.

At times, Jackson’s vocal was reminiscent of Roberta Flack or Billie Holiday. Nowhere was that more clear than on “Crush” and “Rat,” both of which Jackson performed solo, always a bold choice in the festival setting.

From her 2023 debut full-length “Why Does the Earth Give Us People to Love?” Jackson sent “Free” out to her mother, pausing for a moment to soak in the applause before diving into “Lily.”

While the Pitchfork set was at times haunting and beautiful despite the outdoor expanse, tonight’s intimate Schubas aftershow should prove to be an even more moving concert experience.

“Thank you so much for having me, Pitchfork,” said Jackson to the rapturous applause of the hometown crowd. “I’m honored to be here.”

— Jim Ryan

Wednesday

Pitchfork 2024: Bratmobile, Unwound return to Chicago for Day 2 (48)

Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

“It’s suspicious you all are here instead of at Water From Your Eyes,” singer-guitarist Karly Hartzman said to start the set by her group called Wednesday, rebuking the crowd for not taking in the art pop-indie rock band concurrently across the way at the Blue Stage.

Yet, judging by the huge swarms of people who showed up for Hartzman and her crew, it’s hard to believe there was anyone left anywhere else in Union Park. Saturday’s large turnout was a substantial increase from Day 1, with Pitchfork Fest fans showing up for more rock bands and guitars.

Of the weekend on a whole, Saturday was the day full of heavy amplified outliers, starting off with punk heroes Lifeguard and then continuing with the North Carolina alt rock/Southern rock hybrid act Wednesday, who were a great lead up to reunited riot grrl act Bratmobile and noisemakers Unwound to come later in the night.

Hartzman, along with guitarist Jake Lenderman, lap steel player Xandy Chelmis, drummer Alan Miller and bassist Ethan Baechtold, filled their time well with a seamlessly stitched set of originals and a take on Drive-By Truckers’ “Women Without Whiskey,” featured on the former’s 2022 covers album, “Mowing the Leaves Instead of Piling ‘em Up.”

When Wednesday wasn’t espousing the merit of fellow Pitchfork Fest acts, the band zeroed in on Drive-By Truckers, an admitted huge songwriting influence. The narrative lyrics are definitely a match between the two (and the lap steel too), but stylistically Wednesday further branches out into frenzied riffing and imperfectly perfect vocals, often punctured by raw screaming.

“I want to set an intention, and channel it towards all the anger we’ve been feeling and all the frustration of what our tax dollars are funding,” Hartzman shared to introduce the song “Bull Believer,” one of the surprisingly few political statements so far this weekend. “I’m sure a lot of you have anger and sadness you want to let out right now and I will too; we can do it together.”

— Selena Fragassi

De La Soul

Pitchfork 2024: Bratmobile, Unwound return to Chicago for Day 2 (49)

Peyton Reich/Sun-Times

Iconic New York rappers De La Soul have long avoided hip-hop stereotypes, putting their unique spin upon the art form since aligning in 1988 while doubling as one of the most critical components of the early ‘90s alternative hip-hop movement.

Last year brought mixed emotions for the group, with De La Soul finally regaining ownership of its music after a lengthy, noteworthy battle, and clearing samples that allowed their rich catalog to reach streaming platforms for the first time in March 2023 — less than one month after the death of co-founding member Trugoy the Dove, 54, who’d battled congestive heart failure.

“We’re celebrating 40 years of friendship and brotherhood!” declared Maceo from his onstage DJ stand Saturday afternoon. “We’re also celebrating Trugoy the Dove.”

Few live rap acts are as energetic on stage as De La Soul, who offered up an hour full of goodwill at Pitchfork, delivering a poignant look back — with a few famous friends.

“Party people, how ya feelin’ today? What is that middle section? Is that VIP?” rapper Posdnuous asked from the stage, seemingly as confused by new massive viewing stands dedicated to VIP concertgoers as the general admission patrons whose line of sight has been continually impacted by the new additions all weekend.

“No, don’t boo them!” said Posdnuous, laughing, acknowledging the crowd reaction to the hulking VIP structure. “I just wanted to know!”

“Oooh” was an early highlight, with both Maceo and Posdnuous engaging the audience in classic hip-hop call and response while revisiting their 1989 debut via “Potholes in My Lawn.”

Rapper Talib Kweli, clad in a black White Sox hat, was a pleasant Pitchfork surprise, joining the duo midway through for “Stakes Is High.”

In one of the afternoon’s most impressive moments, Posdnuous and Kweli delivered “The Bizness,” both handling the chorus in predominantly a cappella fashion late.

Swelling from three, De La Soul functioned late Saturday as a quartet, with Queens legend Pharoahe Monch joining as the group put its spin upon his “Simon Says,” cruising toward the finish with “Me Myself and I” in resplendent fashion.

“Pitchfork … a lot will come up here, collect that check and give you a half-assed show. But not De La Soul!” asserted Posdnuous accurately. “Thank you for having us.”

— Jim Ryan

Bratmobile

Pitchfork 2024: Bratmobile, Unwound return to Chicago for Day 2 (50)

Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

It was a warm welcome back to Chicago for Bratmobile as the riot grrrl godmothers return to the stage in 2024 for some of their first shows in 20 years.

While their sass and brass was first established in the feminist motherland of Olympia, Washington, in 1991, Chicago has been another sort of breeding ground, particularly for singer Allison Wolfe. During the short and punchy 45-minute set, the easy conversationalist recalled spending a good amount of time in our fair city in the ‘90s, catching girl time in Wicker Park with Liz Phair (and maybe even stealing a few lyrics off her).

She also reminisced about reading books at Quimby’s and getting drinks at Rainbo Club, the latter mention eliciting a huge cheer from other regulars in the crowd. Both Wolfe and fill-in guitarist Rose Melberg (of the Softies) had family in the audience too, who received their own shout-outs.

Though Melberg wasn’t in the original lineup, she’s taken over for founding member Erin Smith, who has been sitting the reunion dates out. As well, Wolfe and the other Day One member of the band, drummer Molly Neuman, have expertly padded out the sound of Bratmobile’s punk/surf rock quick hits with extra personnel this time around. Joining them in what Wolfe calls “Bratmobile 2.0” are Audrey Marrs (Mocket) on keyboards, and Marty Key (Ted Leo & the Pharmacists) on bass.

All together, the newly minted quintet delivered a set that felt refreshed, though still entirely on point, and scoffed at being a pure nostalgia act. “Cool Schmool” rang with fun singalong energy, and “Kiss & Ride” sounded like it could be a 2024 summer hit, even though it was written 30-plus years ago.

The band ended the set with a cover of The Runaways’ “Cherry Bomb,” bringing out a crew of pint-sized backup singers. “We wanted to bring out the next generation of ‘brats’ for our last song,” said Wolfe, giving hope that Bratmobile still has a lot of legs to run on.

— Selena Fragassi

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For Angry Blackmen, Pitchfork set was 'a culmination of everything'

With new album ‘The Legend of ABM,’ Chicago hip-hop duo attempts to rebrand to be bigger and better.

BySelena Fragassi | For the Sun-Times

Pitchfork Music Festival

At Pitchfork, reunited Bratmobile says old riot grrrl songs are 'painfully still relevant'

Allison Wolfe, Molly Neuman get ready to reissue early albums but say new music is ‘not a plan right now.’

BySelena Fragassi | For the Sun-Times

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MUNA in 'a sweet spot' as trio arrives for Pitchfork Music Festival show

The band is now making money on the road, a turn that vocalist Katie Gavin calls ‘a game-changer.’

ByJim Ryan | For the Sun-Times

Unwound

Pitchfork 2024: Bratmobile, Unwound return to Chicago for Day 2 (54)

Peyton Reich/Sun-Times

“Are you going to stick around for Unwound?” Bratmobile’s Allison Wolfe asked a cheering crowd before wrapping up her own set. “I’ve known them since they were in high school.”

And sure enough, many did, holding ground in their spot Saturday night for the second set of what became an erstwhile Pac Northwest showcase at the Blue Stage — 20 years in the making.

Like Bratmobile, Unwound hails from Olympia and nearby Tumwater, Washington. Both at some point have also been part of the indie great Kill Rock Stars label, and both are now in the throes of a reunion after an early 2000s disbandment.

So, yes, there was plenty of reason for the bed of sunflowers and a bouquet placed at the front of the stage when Unwound came out. They too have new personnel in their current lineup — in addition to longtime members guitarist-vocalist Justin Trosper and drummer Sara Lund, there is now second guitarist Scott Seckington and bassist Jared Warren, who takes over for Vern Rumsey, who sadly passed away in 2020.

The quartet was unbelievably tight in this comeback-era set on songs like “Look a Ghost” that were a voluminous melee of sludge, post-hardcore, noise rock and indie/DIY sensibilities. It all but inked Unwound’s reputation as “one of the most important bands of the ‘90s” (per a number of publications) and clearly still today as a cult following still follows the bandmates, even though they haven’t had a new album since 2001’s “Leaves Turn Inside You.”

In the mix too were a good flock of younger listeners including Lifeguard’s Asher Case and Issac Lowenstein, who were seen in the middle of the crowd, eyes glued to the set. Once the last note played, Lund got up from her kit and threw flowers into the crowd, and we can only hope one of those fresh talents caught on and will now help carry on the torch.

— Selena Fragassi

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Model/Actriz celebrates LGBTQ+ Pitchfork lineup but 'it needs to increase from here'

And what’s inside that purse Cole Haden brings on stage with him?

BySelena Fragassi | For the Sun-Times

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Alanis Morissette 'oughta know' how much millennials revere her after Pitchfork set

Canadian singer-songwriter, still clear-voiced and passionate, draws Union Park festival’s biggest crowd and a backup assist from Muna.

BySelena Fragassi | For the Sun-Times

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Brittany Howard enriches a consequential day with Pitchfork vow to 'love my enemy'

Alabama Shakes frontwoman and her tight backing band smoothly blend funk, rock, gospel, soul, R&B, jazz and dream pop.

ByJim Ryan | For the Sun-Times

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MUNA looks for 'moments of joy' in Pitchfork performance: Day 3 reviews and photos

BySelena Fragassi | For the Sun-TimesandJim Ryan | For the Sun-Times

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Black Pumas singer enters Pitchfork crowd for a communion bordering on religious

Rousing Union Park set closes with ‘Colors,’ the statement of unity we’ve all been needing and waiting to hear.

BySelena Fragassi | For the Sun-Times

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At Pitchfork, 100 gecs puts its zany spin on all the genres

One of the biggest crowds of the weekend turns out for duo’s cartoonish mix.

BySelena Fragassi | For the Sun-Times

Pitchfork 2024: Bratmobile, Unwound return to Chicago for Day 2 (2024)
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