Photo: Courtesy Pitchfork

 

Now in its eighth year, Pitchfork offers up three stages, over 40 bands, and a sprawling festival to some 50,000 indie-credential-flashing hipsters. (It’s so cool it now has a sister event in Paris.) With the three-day fest just 24 hours away, Chicago rounded up what you need to know about the scrappy-throw-down-turned-international-music-hub.

 

Food Vendors

Music may fuel the soul, but it doesn’t do much for the belly. Luckily, in addition to the 46 acts, Pitchfork’s food court boasts 16 different booths:

  • Wishbone Big
  • Delicious Planet
  • Black Dog Gelato
  • Robinson’s Ribs
  • Puffs of Doom
  • Chubby Wieners
  • Goose Island
  • Obrien's
  • Chicago Diner
  • Homemade Pizza
  • Temptation
  • Whole Foods Market
  • Goose Island
  • Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream
  • Dark Matter

 

Scalpers

On a budget and feeling brave? There will be plenty of scalpers along Ashland Avenue and Lake Street. “My girlfriend and I scalped tickets for 10 bucks each last year, just in time for Beach House’s set,” a fan explains. “The print out ticket was a little sketch, but trust and luck prevailed!”

 

The Best After Parties

Metal haven Cobra Lounge has home court advantage during P4k and books intimate aftershows at its free Cobrafest (you must RSVP.) Though Growlers' delightfully kooky "beach goth" get our top bid on Saturday night, there are a slew of shows that will keep the crowds going into the wee hours of the morning. Here a few critics picks:

Friday 19

Foxygen + Gauntlet Hair + Gambles

Bedroom prog heroes Foxygen are known to flash wildcards, namely in the form of onstage fits and starts and last-minute cancelations. But when enigmatic frontman Jonathan Rado (whose freak flag flies much higher than Of Montreal's Kevin Barnes) and his band of merry noisemakers is on, there's no stopping them.

Schubas 10pm advance $12, day of show $14, 18+

*** 

Merchandise + Daughn Gibson + Connections + Steve Gunn

Merchandise and Daughn Gibson—two don't-miss acts with two ultra hot, brooding frontmen—were shafted with early slots at P4K. No matter: You can catch both entrancing acts at a bargain price. What's more? Here Gibson is joined by two local talents: Jim Elkington of Eleventh Dream Day on guitar and Areif Sless-Kitain of the Eternals on drums.

Bottom Lounge 10:30pm $7, 17+

Saturday the 20th

Belle & Sebastian DJ set + Heaven Malone + Greg Corner

Twee meets 80s goth when the indie-cute Scots helm the decks with local post-punk/new wave evangelist Heaven Malone.

Debonair Social Club 9PM Free, 21+

Sunday the 21st

Bump & Grindcore V: STV SLV + Moneyworth + Danny Leroy + burlesque by Po'Chop and Josephine Shaker

What better way to get closer to that honey you've making eyes at all weekend than at this even sweatier dance party featuring one half of local mashup masters the Hood Internet.

Beauty Bar, $5, $3 with Pitchfork wristband, free before 10 p.m. with wristband or RSVP at Do312.