Chicago, oh how we love you. Excellent neighborhood restaurants, (Lula Cafe & Nightwood). Beautiful music theaters and cozy local clubs, (The Hideout). Dreamy outdoor spaces, (Union Park). Fantastic architecture, (too many spots to mention). And last but not least, a history of great bands, (Big Black, Califone, Naked Raygun, etc…). All of which makes it the ideal setting for the annual Pitchfork Music Festival.

So what did this year’s festival look like? 98-degree heat, dozens of food vendors, thousands of bicycles, heaps of indie labels, and roughly 50,000 sweaty music lovers spazzing out, singing along and taking naps. Thanks again Chicago, we’ll see you next year. We took a lot of photos.

In just a little over two days the Pitchfork Music Festival’s horde of disheveled, breezily attired patrons will again descend on Chicago’s Union Park. Held over the course of three delightful (albeit extremely hot+loud) days and nights, Pitchfork is hands-down the most anticipated independent outdoor music event of the summer. As a returning sponsor of the festival Incase will again be on hand gifting performing artists and festival attendees with a barrage of helpful goodies.

As always, please remember to bring a hat, ear plugs and comfy shoes. Eat something. Drink water. Perhaps even have a nap. Maybe bring a sheet or small blanket for lurking with pals on the lawn. We look forward to seeing you in Chicago soon!

Chicago is a magnificent city. Massive, industrious and steeped in American musical history… all of which makes it the perfect setting for the summer annual Pitchfork Music Festival. Chicago in July, however, generally offers one of two weather vibes. You’re either dying of heat exhaustion or running from thundershowers and lightning. Last year saw scattered rain and even a bit of fog, which kept the mood nice and mellow. This year? It was blazing hot from sunrise to sundown for three straight days. Like, 90-degrees in the shade-style hot. So glad Matt the Ice Cream Man posted his van next to us.

So what did this year’s Pitchfork look like? 54,000 music lovers. Four dozen street meat trucks and various food vendors (once again the curry cart was the best). Thousands of bicycles. Dozens of indie record labels and arts & crafts vendors. 3,200 free Incase iPhone cases. Thousands of sweaty music lovers running around, spazzing out, falling down, flailing wildly, singing along and taking naps. Tents… and thousands of sunburns….

Stand out performances included Bear In Heaven, LCD Soundsystem, Beach House, Lightning Bolt, Kurt Vile, Titus Andronicus, Sharon Van Etten, Major Lazer and Robyn (yes, the Swedish pop star). For the sixth straight year in a row, the artists, vendors, festival organizers and fans alike made Pitchfork one of (if not the) best summer music festival in North America. We hope to see you next year.