Japandroids, Dirty Projectors, Purity Ring kick off Pitchfork fest Friday

Pitchfork Music Festival gets going Friday afternoon with Lower Dens playing one of the first sets. It’s a strong opener for what I think will be another good fest. (I’ve been to all of them.)

Admittedly, it’s not easy to catch the opening acts and stay all the way through the closers over three days, but I try my best to see the short early sets, which sometimes prove to be highlights. Friday is a good example. One of Chicago’s most fascinating new artists, Willis Earl Beal, also plays an early set that day — one that I wouldn’t miss. The Olivia Tremor Control, one of the Elephant 6 bands, gets an early slot as well.

Of course, I’m excited about the later shows, particularly Japandroids, now touring the full-throttle release Celebration Rock, and Dirty Projectors (see album review). I’m also intrigued by Purity Ring, which goes up against headliner Feist.

See the full schedule here.