The Scenes of Pitchfork Music Festival Day One: Makonnen Whipped It, Mac DeMarco Covered Steely Dan, and Everyone Was Hip

Photo by Petya Shalamanova

Ah, Pitchfork Music Festival. Every July, thousands of music lovers—a.k.a. nerds who can tell you what the phrases “320 kbps” and “hauntingly beautiful sound” mean—gather in Chicago’s Union Park to celebrate all of the coolest acts in music of the moment. This year, which happens to be the 10th anniversary of the festival, isn’t any different. Day one provided quite a few highlights. Makonnen moved his cooking class from Thursday to Friday. An old guy walked by us singing “I Don’t Sell Molly No More.” Mac DeMarco told thousands of teens to download the leak of his album before covering Steely Dan’s “Reelin’ in the Years.” Tobias Jesso Jr. “played” the piano outside, which was nice, we guess. Iceage once again proved indie rock isn’t dead. Panda Bear gave those on psychedelics in the crowd something to appreciate. Ryley Walker had long hair, played guitar, and was overall sweert. Chvrches performed their new song and people liked it. Wilco did some Chicago shit.

All in all, it was a good day one. Who knows what will take place over these next two days, but for now, Noisey photographers Ellie Pritts and Petya Shalamanova were there to capture all the weird, strange, and beautiful happenings. See their photos below, and let’s continue the Chicago turn up.

The faded afternoon crowd. Photo by Ellie Pritts

Ellie Pritts

Iceage by Ellie Pritts

Mac DeMarco by Ellie Pritts

Panda Bear by Ellie Pritts

Tobias Jesso Jr. making the crowd emotional. Photo by Ellie Pritts

Makonnen teachin’ the crowd how to whip it. Photo by Ellie Pritts

Photo by Petya Shalamanova

Photo by Petya Shalamanova

Photo by Petya Shalamanova

Photo by Petya Shalamanova

Photo by Petya Shalamanova

Photo by Petya Shalamanova

Photo by Petya Shalamanova

Photo by Petya Shalamanova

Photo by Petya Shalamanova

Photo by Petya Shalamanova

Photo by Petya Shalamanova

Photo by Petya Shalamanova

Photo by Petya Shalamanova

Photo by Petya Shalamanova

Photo by Petya Shalamanova

Photo by Petya Shalamanova

Photo by Petya Shalamanova

Photo by Petya Shalamanova

Photo by Petya Shalamanova

Photo by Petya Shalamanova

Photo by Petya Shalamanova

Photo by Petya Shalamanova

Photo by Petya Shalamanova

Photo by Petya Shalamanova

Photo by Petya Shalamanova

Wilco by Petya Shalamanova

Ellie Pritts on Instagram.

Petya Shalamanova on Instagram.