Last year, Street sent two editors to the Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago to cover the weekend’s best shows. This year, we want to bring the music to you. If you can’t afford the $45–a–day festival passes (not to mention the airfare and a place to crash), check out these homegrown concerts featuring some of Pitchfork’s most anticipated independent music acts. They’re all under $30 and they’re just a SEPTA ride away.
Sleigh Bells One of the highlights from the Pitchfork line–up, this noise-rock duo is playing at Making Time’s 12 Year Anniversary Hyperrager with openers Phantogram and Twin Shadow. If the band’s latest album, Reign of Terror, is any indication, the show will be full of electrifying guitars, near-scream vocals, and songs about demons. Not for the weak-hearted. July 20, Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing, Columbus Blvd. and Spring Garden St. All ages, $25.
Hot Chip with Chromatics If noise-rock isn’t your thing, Hot Chip and Chromatics will play at the Electric Factory the day after. One does dance-pop, the other dance-pop sans vocals. Both are perfect for forgetting the work week and tearing up the dance floor. July 21, Electric Factory, 421 N. 7th St. All ages, $29.50.
Iceage with Dirty Beaches Made up of 18– and 19–year–olds, the punk rock band Iceage will perform its high-energy, occasionally violent, thoroughly hardcore tunes at Johnny Brenda’s. To balance out the rock music scales, up–and–coming band Dirty Beaches will open the show with their lo-fi fuzz and Leonard Cohen-esque croons. Both sets are sure to hit your soul. July 23, Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 Frankford Ave. 21+, $12.
Milk Music A truly underground band (these guys are basically un-Google-able), Milk Music revives 80s-era punk with their borderline-screechy reverb. To prepare for the show at Kung–Fu Necktie, we suggest you listen to their six–song EP — if you can find it. July 24, Kung-Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St. 21+, $10.
A Lull With a fresh take on indie rock, A Lull will blow you away with their blend of vaguely tropical rhythms, soothing mystical sounds, and well-crafted songwriting. At their Kung–Fu Necktie show, don’t resist the urge to chant along with the band and jam out. July 26, Kung-Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St. 21+, $10.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra If you want to try out something completely new, check out this show at Union Transfer. An experimental psychedelic rock band, Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s music will make you feel like you’re in a 70’s lava lamp, or a Wes Anderson film. July 26, Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St. All ages, $15.
