LIVE REVIEW: INNERVIEW AT PITCHFORK, DAY ONE

As a general rule, the first band playing the first day of any festival draws a modest crowd. Former M.I.A. drummer Madame Gandhi apparently was not aware of this rule. With the help of a live DJ, a drummer and dancers who alternately weaved through the performance and stood off to the side mean-mugging, Ms. Gandhi brought remarkable energy to her early set. Washington D.C. punk prodigies Priests took full advantage of the momentum and accelerated into a manic mix of songs from their new album and early EP. “It’s awful quiet out there…” lamented MC Taylor of country-flavored outlier Hiss Golden Messenger an hour later as a quiet afternoon lull had set in, providing a much-needed breather. Vince Staples hit all the highlights, including “Norf Norf” from Summertime ‘06 and “Ascension,” his collaboration with Gorillaz. Thurston Moore Group’s set was nothings short of wonderful, with shades of both his Sonic Youth days and the Rock N Roll Consciousness era. After a boring and uninspired set from Dirty Projectors, main attraction LCD Soundsystem performed a beautifully cathartic set beneath a disco ball as they ran through a number of new ditties as well as old classics like “Tribulations” and “Dance Yrself Clean,” closing the night with everyone in the crowd turning to each other and singing with a smile: “Where are your friends tonight?” BY WILLIAM LENNON–PHOTO BY KRISTINA PEDERSEN
Next: Pitchfork Fest Day Two