Tampa Calling

Some of you might be surprised that music isn’t my primary motivation for going to this weekend’s fifth annual Pitchfork Music Festival, but seriously, folks … that’s the god’s honest truth. I mean, I’m definitely hyped about going and checking out a handful of the bands playing there, but what has me most excited is a get-together with a group of old friends who’ll be congregating in Chi-town for the fest. A motley crew to say the absolute least. Let’s just hope none of us get arrested this weekend – unlike that other Chicago adventure that ended with my boy getting thrown in the pokey for public nudity! Three-plus days chock full o’ friends, libations, hot dogs (not really, well, kinda … I’ve never been to Hot Dougs!) and music … it just can’t come soon enough!

This year will be my fourth time attending (missed it last summer), and my first time (loosely) covering it for Creative Loafing. I’ll be Tweeting up a storm all weekend, plus I’ll be writing a wrap-up piece after I return. Also … one of my best friends and photographer, R. Kevin Rose, will be snapping pics throughout the event and will contribute some imagery (of bands, fans, friends, and whatever else we get into) for that aforementioned wrap-up post.

Beyond simply letting you gals and guys know that I’m on the case and to remind you to follow my blow-by-blow on Twitter (@aestheticized, with all my Tweets posted to the live feed on the CL Music Site homepage), I’ve also put together some blurbs about the bands I consider essential. So, without further ado, here they are: 2Crit’s Pitchfork (Fest) Picks:

1. Yeasayer – Pretty much the only band I haven’t seen live before and one that I HAVE to see this weekend. Their debut album, All Hour Cymbals, still kills nearly two years since its release. And here’s hoping they play the majority of that album and not some “Hey guys, check out our heady new tunes” set. Not that I don’t wanna hear their new stuff. It’s just, you know … I wanna hear my jams.

2. Grizzly Bear – I saw them at Pitchfork two years ago in the middle of the afternoon and they just blew my head off. I expected the subtlety and mystery like their sound on Yellow House … I got it and much, much more. Grizzly Bear was far more muscular than I would’ve imagined and I wasn’t even nearly prepared for the Big Rock they bring to their live sound. Anyway — I really need to cram Veckatimest this week, as I think I’ve only listened to it all the way thru three or four times now. I bet they’ll have bonus players to flesh out the new tunes. Can’t wait to see them at night!!!

3. Tortoise – My dudes. I’ve honestly seen these guys more than any other national act and for good reason … they are one of the smartest, most skilled groups of musicians you’ll ever find. They’re scary talented, basically. Kinda pissed they get the shit spot (5 p.m. on Friday — they’re playing first!), but excited to see what they play as it’s an all-request performance. I’m hoping for “Djed” and/or “Gamera/Cliff Dweller Society”… and maybe a few of the hotter tunes from their excellent new full-length, Beacons of Ancestorship.

…and that’s about it, as far as what I’m REALLY looking forward to.

To a lesser extent… I’m also pumped for whatever shenanigans David Yow might muster for The Jesus Lizard reunion, and Lindstrom’s cosmic disco vibes, and to see whether or not (MF) Doom actually shows up, and I’m obviously hoping Fucked Up tears everyone a new asshole, and I’ve actually never seen Built To Spill, and I haven’t seen The Walkmen in years, and The Flaming Lips never disappoint, and DJ/Rupture will probably confound … anyway, you get the picture. Stay tuned for the crazy, drunken tweets and my synopsis spiel next week.

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