The writing was on the wall for the Chicago summer festivals still clinging to their originally scheduled dates after Governor J.B. Pritzker revealed his plan to reopen Illinois yesterday and bluntly stated that "large conventions, festivals and other major events" won't be feasible until a vaccine or effective treatment is available. This morning, Pitchfork Music Festival announced that the 2020 edition of the event has been canceled and that ticketholders will be contacted with refund options.
Originally slated to take place in Union Park July 17–19, the annual music festival curated by the namesake taste-making online publication was set to feature headlining sets from hip-hop duo Run the Jewels, reinvigorated indie darlings the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and morose rock outfit the National. Other notable acts set to perform at the event—which announced its entire lineup back in February—included art-rock duo Fiery Furnaces, indie-rock balladeer Angel Olsen, Savages frontwoman Jehnny Beth and bassist Thundercat.
"We are fully committed to bringing Pitchfork Music Festival back in 2021, if the public health situation allows for it," a statement released by the festival reads, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding large gatherings that could extend well into next year. In place of the in-person events, organizers are planning livestreams and "more ways to use the full weight of Pitchfork to support musicians and the community around our festival."
Pitchfork Music Festival joins a growing list of canceled Chicago events that would have taken place this summer, including the Chicago Blues Festival, the Chicago Pride Parade, Spring Awakening Music Festival and Ravinia Festival. While large festivals like Lollapalooza and Riot Fest have not officially announced cancelations yet, their respective organizers are likely to make statements in the coming days as the reality of Gov. Pritzker's announcement sets in.
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