LIVE REVIEW: INNERVIEW AT PITCHFORK FEST, DAY THREE

In many ways, the day three opening slot is the worst place to be in a festival. So respect to Porches for managing to draw a decent crowd in the early afternoon hangover hours. As Sun Ra Arkestra began to fill the festival air with their stardust-and-salvia blend of cosmic jazz, Pitchfork Fest rubbed its eyes, wiped the toothpaste from the corners of its lips and caught its second wind. Kamasi Washington kept the momentum going with a rich, full sound accompanied by a roaring trombone and a squealing sax. He even brought his dad up for a cover of Ray Noble’s “Cherokee” and the way the wind kicked up just in time for the song’s finale was one of those one-in-a-million perfect concert moments. Holy Ghost!’s funky and loose beat-driven set kept the fest’s blood flowing before Neon Indian delivered what was easily one of the best sets of the festival. Although it’s debatable whether Alan Palomo is technically a “good” dancer, hearing “Deadbeat Summer” back to back with “Polish Girl” for the closer was an absolute thrill that seemed impossible to top. Then a miracle happened. You can’t imagine the unbridled joy that overtook the entire park when Chance The Rapper got onstage with Jeremih. Chance only stayed for a few songs (“No Problem” and “Angels”), but the mere presence of the rising Chicago icon was enough to almost double the size of the crowd clustered around the Green Stage. The sun set before FKA Twigs took the stage, silhouetted against a background of twisting hands and curling fingers. Watching the tight, hypnotic choreography mesh perfectly with the tripped-out music was like weaving in and out of a dream. BY WILLIAM LENNON–PHOTO BY MATT LIEF ANDERSON
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