Pitchfork Music Festival 2010: Sunday

My pictures, and my video of Pavement performing "Grounded".

Pitchfork on Sunday was The Very Best

The Flaming Lips, Pitchfork Music Festival. 7/19/09

I was only able to got to Pitchfork on Sunday this year, however, it seems I picked the best day. I got to see old Victorian Horror favorites, M83 - as well as Grizzly Bear (who were amazing), DJ Rupture, The Walkmen, The Flaming Lips, and The Very Best.
The Very Best were the surprise of the evening, those of us who left The Flaming Lips to go check them out were duly rewarded with a fantastic show.
I couldn't do a festival post without my award-winning shaky video...so here's a mash up of all the stuff I saw yesterday:

What now?

So the Blur reunion is over*. Still no word on any other dates, so for now it looks as if this was it. I'm obviously still hoping for a last minute announcement of a one-off American show...you never know.

So now what? Well I'm pretty sure Victorian Horror might switch over into full on Plastic Beach hysteria. The announcements about the new Gorillaz album are becoming more and more hype-worthy. I mean The Horrors? On a Gorillaz album? It's like my fantasy band come to life.
Another upcoming topic will be the Pitchfork festival, which is this weekend. I'm only going on Sunday (due to other commitments), but I'm really excited to see M83 again...and Grizzly Bear!

So, all is not lost. The Blur reunion has made me realize that, while Blur are, and always will be, my favorite band; I'm actually more excited about the new things that Damon's doing. Now in a perfect world that would include a new Blur album.

*Maybe.

Are Blur going to record a new album?

Oh god I hope so.
Apparently Graham told the Daily Star (reeeeeeally?) that it's a possibility.
"I'd be up for it if everyone else is really into the idea - if it feels good then we will (record again), I'm sure we will."
Not exactly a confirmation, but promising none the less.
[Virgin Media], [My Park Magazine]

Meanwhile, it seems I'm not the only one who thought there might be a glimmer of hope Blur would play Lollapalooza. Well, they're not (so far) and the lineup is pretty much total weaksauce right now. I've already got my ticket so I'm going either way (I live in Chicago). There are a few good bands, but nothing outstanding.
Maybe Blur will get added to Pitchfork? Not likely, according to the Trib's Greg Kot.
Read some other peoples disappointment on the comment section of Greg's Lolla post.
[Chicago Tribune]

It really, really, really could happen...but probably only if you live in the U.K.

Pitchfork interviews Damon and Jamie

Pitchfork posted an interview with Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett today. There's not much new, but this snippet about Damon's activities at a Vampire Weekend show is quite funny:

"Pitchfork: I don't know if you've heard this, but there's a rumor that--

DA: I pulled the fire alarm.

Pitchfork: Yeah, that the fire alarm went off at their London show, and you had pulled the plug on them and took off.

DA: No, I did pull my trousers down, but that's because I had an altercation with the doorman. He wouldn't let me take my drink out. I did leave as the plug was pulled, but it wasn't me and it wasn't anything to do with me.

Pitchfork: Well, it's a good story, anyway."

Here's the full interview: Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, Pitchfork.

Joy Division documentary on Pitchfork.tv- one week only.

Joy Division, one of the seminal bands to come out of Manchester's post-punk scene, are almost mythical. It's hard to say if they would still be at the forefront of our collective musical reference if it wasn't for the death of Ian Curtis. The untimely death lends a poignancy to their somber music and prophetical, doom laden lyrics. The knowledge of the real life tragedy is what makes listening to Joy Division so powerful.

Obviously, New Order carried on after Joy Division and ultimately became a lighter, more eclectic band. However, Hooky, Stephen, and Bernard are always called back for Joy Division interviews and documentaries to delve into the seemingly never-ending desire to get "closer" to the real story.
This one includes other interviews with the late, great, Tony Wilson, designer Peter Saville, and Ian's mistress Annik Honoré.
Part one:


For the rest: Pitchfork.tv