LIVE REVIEW: INNERVIEW AT PITCHFORK FEST, DAY THREE

Sunday’s lineup was all about the women. And the first female up for the day was Pitchfork’s youngest act Ravyn Lenae. With red braids and silver streamers flowing behind her, the 19-year-old commanded the stage as her dreamy, operatic vocals floated over waves of funk-infused R&B that did not disappoint. Meanwhile, tucked away beneath the trees on the Blue Stage, Michelle Zauner of Japanese Breakfast danced around with her ivory Fender Jazzmaster like the heroine of our cult indie flick dreams. A cool, easy Noname matched the crowd’s energy with humor and charm, but ended her set an unfortunate 20 minutes early. By late afternoon, the anticipation for Sunday’s headliners was tangible. (You know there’s a legend in your presence when they have an announcer list your career highlights before you take the stage.) After her hard-earned introduction, Chaka Khan emerged and finally the moms and dads of the crowd were up dancing. Closing out the weekend was Lauryn Hill’s performance for the 20th anniversary of the Miseducation. True to her legendary status, her DJ first hyped up the crowd, scratching ‘90s hip hop favorites before summoning L. Boogie to the mic. Backed by brass and backup singers that seemed to bend with every flick of conductor Hill’s wrist, Hill emanated a powerful presence like the spiritual mother of the festival, closing out the weekend with an historic performance that won’t soon be forgotten. STORY + PHOTO BY JULIET CANGELOSI
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