Pitchfork Music Festival 2023 - Day One Highlights

7/22/2023

Writing and Photography by Bobby Talamine
Edited by Fiza Javid

Friday 7/21/23

All things considered-
A different approach is needed in describing and writing about the highlights from Pitchfork Music Festival Day One.

The reason-
Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood and Tom Skinner of The Smile, headlining Day One.
No buildup to headliner in this highlighted review-
Fire the volleys now.
Nothing buried in the mix.

The "Take Notice" sign in my head happened earlier in the late afternoon, when Jonny Greenwood gave an interview from Pitchfork's Backstage Dash Pass Interview Stage-
And multiple times he gave props to drummer Tom Skinner, and how he is intrinsic to the overall shape and sound of The Smile, bleeding forth with improvisation and jazz roll complex drum fills.

He didn't say this lightly or matter of fact.
Jonny meant every word of it.
And he should know better than anyone, ear to the ground and steeped in melody and cohesive collaboration, with whatever he approaches and takes part of.

So that was ingrained in my head while immersed in their headlining set, following the path of Tom Skinner, and watching the three of them collaborate and twist and turn everything setlist wise.

This clearly by my take on things, not the same band that travelled through Chicago back on the first of December from last year.

They have evolved considerably, all the while taking chances with their crafty songs, and doing their best in making them anew.

Their setlist has also changed somewhat, having by now, to close out their North American Tour at Pitchfork, provided twists and turns and re- imagining things material wise.

Opening with "Pana- Vision", with Robert Stillman on Saxophone, and then followed by "The Opposite", and also "Hairdryer", all three not quite sounding the same from previous sets I've witnessed, courtesy of yet again, Tom Skinner, followed by Jonny Greenwood and Thom Yorke.

Some fifteen songs in total, most likely shorter because of Festival curfews, but that's a minor quibble.

All n' all, this is a chance for Jonny and Thom to get back into their heavier roots, stretch out a bit with simple setup, expound on the aura of mystery, blending genres of music all so seamlessly, and taking deep dives in their panoramic vision of subdued and yet complex soundscapes.

All the more breathtaking when hearing all things emanating from them succinctly in an outdoor setting, with a sophisticated PA to back up the juice coming from the stage.
It's for these reasons that I wanted no buildup to headliner.
This has to be the prominent news of the day, not buried in the mix, lest I forget what the hell I'm writing about.

Again- with The Smile- one of the best live performances of the year, and so happy that it was Pitchfork making that happen, on a perfect summer evening in Chicago.
As for the other sets, all well and prominent in the images immersed throughout-
Lots of excitement and buildup with the Canadian band Alvvays- with Molly Rankin, their front and center singer- songwriter in fine voice, staying put like the rest of the band, and letting their music do the talking.

Chicago's Ric Wilson as well, having now over the past few years developed his sound, and amped up the party with sophisticated songwriting and dance inflected four to the floor beats with attitude and mystique.

He developed a lot of that with previous performances at JBTV Studios back in the day, taking nothing for granted whatsoever.

And yes he has every right to convey to the masses or to anyone within earshot that he's an "electrified motivational funka hop pop poet", with attitude to spare, crowd participation a priority.

Same as well with Mike Hadreas, otherwise known as Perfume Genius, who also blends and melds his songwriting, finding and developing a band that adds the "electric" to all things considered.

And as for Mike's voice... man does that guy have range, and range to spare, from ultra high falsetto and low baritone thump to throw at you through his ultra rich fantasy landscapes.

Same with Trevor Powers, otherwise known as Youth Lagoon- although a bit subdued, sitting behind his flank of synths and samples, but able to convey honesty and depth of songwriting with that band of his.

Other acts of note, who made a mark throughout the day:
Nourished by Time, who opened Pitchfork Day One, along with Contour, and of course full on band with Sen Morimoto, and also Mavi, and Grace Ives, Axel Boman, and his rich and improvisational electronic soundscapes, and even Nation of Language, with their bopping synth pop melodies, and brazen rapper LEIKELI47, and her push forth rapping style.

The weather- delightful throughout.
The crowd- attentive and chill for a Friday in Union Park.

More coverage of the next two days at Pitchfork to follow accordingly.
Bobby Talamine - JBTV Music Television Chicago

Pitchfork Music Festival, The Smile, Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Tom Skinner, JBTV Music Television, Fiza Javid, Bobby Talamine

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Pitchfork Music Festival 2023 - Day One Highlights

Pitchfork Music Festival, The Smile, Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Tom Skinner, JBTV Music Television, Fiza Javid, Bobby Talamine

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