The weather has been unbelievably bogus so far this so-called spring, so it’s hard to imagine we’ll soon be sweating our asses off while watching live music and eating funnel cakes together. But that nasty northeast wind notwithstanding, Chicago’s formidable summer-long lineup of outdoor music festivals will be upon us in no time.
The Pitchfork Music Festival today announced the last couple of acts playing Union Park July 15-17, filling out a schedule that already included the likes of Animal Collective, Guided by Voices, TV on the Radio, and Odd Future. Friday’s lineup now includes Thurston Moore, Battles, Tune-Yards, EMA, and Chicagoans-turned-Brooklynites (and former Sharp Darts subjects) Gatekeeper. Saturday adds DJ Shadow, Zola Jesus (who’s playing at the Bottle tonight), Twin Shadow, Toro y Moi, Cold Cave, Julianna Barwick, and Off! Sunday adds two acts: Darkstar and Gossip Wolf favorite Superchunk.
Last year’s surprisingly successful North Coast Music Festival will be returning to Union Park this Labor Day weekend. It looks like they’re sticking with the same blend of dance music, hip-hop, jam bands, and indie rockers from year one. So far six acts—Wiz Khalifa, Thievery Corporation, Common, Lotus, Little Dragon, and Neon Indian—have been announced, and the festival’s website promises 50 more. Tickets, including three-day passes, are now on sale.
And of course Wicker Park Fest will be back, this year on July 23 and 24. So far the lineup consists of much-buzzed-about indie supergroup Wild Flag, Wavves, Ana Sia, El Ten Eleven, and Blitzen Trapper as well as locals Joe Pug, Flosstradamus, Digital Tape Machine, and California Wives.