Even with scattered muddy patches across the main field and soft rains threatening another delay, Day 3 quickly turned full circle from initially gloomy to optimistically sunny. The wide range of genres and performers on Day 3 further encompassed an unforgettable ending to the Festival’s three-day run. From boisterous black midi to wildly entertaining JPEGMAFIA to sweet-voiced Clairo, Day 3 provided a smashing, diverse line up that certainly pleased and wooed any festival goer.

black midi

Yellow caution tape, looming thunder, and grimy puddles deterred the Green Stage audience from moshing, but only for a fleeting moment. As black midi tapped into their visceral element during “Near DT, MI”, the mud began to fly. We could tell you what any other person who’s been to a black midi show could tell you--that it was transcendent, something you simply have to see live. These things are all true. Despite the gloomy weather (or perhaps enhanced by it?) and poor guitar mixing--Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin could scarcely be heard for half of the set--black midi provided yet another explosive experience.

JPEGMAFIA

In a one-two punch of combustive affect, JPEGMAFIA immediately followed black midi on the Red Stage. Commanding the movement of the crowd with his classic opener “VENGEANCE”, Peggy was energy embodied as he bounced from stage to audience and back. Greeting the audience of “Conde Nast Festival” with equal parts amusement and disdain for the mass media company that acquired Pitchfork in 2015, JPEGMAFIA stayed true to his provocateur nature.

Clairo

The most tender performance of the day goes to Clairo, hands down. Her sweet, brutally honest lyrics captured a youthful melancholy in a suitably stripped-down set. When Clairo performed “Pretty Girl” and “Flaming Hot Cheetos,” fans screamed, “MY QUEEN” and “YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL,” gushing for her graceful presence on the Green Stage.

Khruangbin

Khruangbin’s lethargic tunes and rhythmic trance provided the perfect afternoon vibe. Sometimes hazy, sometimes rapid, the band delivered a dreamlike performance that ebbed and flowed with ease in the summertime afternoon heat. As the sluggish heat descended over the park, guitar Mark Speer’s dreamy eyes, bassist Laura Lee’s outstanding balance and coordination, and drummer DJ’s steady tempo provided solid grounding for this dreamy set.

Whitney

In Whitney’s first concert in about a year, the band seized the opportunity to dish out new songs never before performed lived and invite other Pitchfork acts on stage for a fun dance jam. The most remarkable moment came during the middle of the performance when the band played their “quiet” song, “Light Upon the Lake,” a beautiful nostalgic song that lingered in our ears after the performance. Even with Neneh Cherry in the background, the audience trained their ears on Whitney’s sweet melodies and swayed softly the gentle Chicago breeze.

Jess Eng is a DJ for Blues. James Gui is a DJ for RH and TDS.