One of Chicago’s most highly-anticipated music festivals will not be returning in 2025. After 19 years of bringing together music, art, and community, Pitchfork has announced that their annual festival will not be held in the city next year.
In a heartfelt letter posted on social media, Pitchfork officials explained that the constantly evolving landscape of the music industry has led them to make a difficult decision. They expressed their deep gratitude to the city of Chicago for being the festival’s home for almost two decades, as well as to the talented artists who have graced their stages with unforgettable performances, and the devoted fans who have brought unmatched energy year after year.
The 2024 edition of the festival, which took place at Union Park, was headlined by the likes of Alanis Morissette, the Black Pumas, and Jamie xx. Throughout the years, Pitchfork has brought in renowned headliners such as Bon Iver, the Roots, Run the Jewels, Tame Impala, and Chance the Rapper, among others.
This news comes in the wake of another potential loss for Chicago’s festival scene. In 2024, it was announced that Riot Fest would be relocating to suburban Bridgeview. However, after negotiations with the city, it was decided to keep the festival in Douglas Park. Now, Chicago faces yet another high-profile departure with no word on any future plans for Pitchfork festivals.
Here is the full letter from Pitchfork:
“To our Chicago Festival community:
As the music festival landscape continues to rapidly evolve, we have made the difficult decision not to host Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago in 2025.
This decision was not made lightly. For 19 years, Pitchfork Music Festival has been a celebration of music, art, and community – a space where memories were made, voices were amplified, and the shared love of music brought us all together. The festival, while aligned with the taste of the Pitchfork editorial team, has always been a collaborative effort, taking on a life of its own as a vital pillar of the Chicago arts scene. We are deeply grateful to the city of Chicago for being our festival’s home for nearly two decades, to the artists who graced our stages with unforgettable performances, and to the fans who brought unmatched energy year after year.
Thank you to At Pluto and the rest of the hardworking festival team, whose dedication and creativity were the backbone of every event. And thank you to Mike Reed for founding the festival and for your inspiring vision.
Pitchfork will continue to produce events in 2025 and beyond. We look forward to creating more spaces where music, culture, and community intersect in uplifting ways – and we hope to see you there.”
Despite this news, Pitchfork reassures fans that they will continue to produce events in the future. They also express their excitement for creating more spaces where music, culture, and community can come together in a positive and uplifting way. As a festival that has become a vital part of Chicago’s artistic scene, Pitchfork will be deeply missed in 2025, but fans can look forward to their return in the future.
The festival’s departure also serves as a reminder of the ever-changing nature of the music industry, and the importance of adapting to these changes. Music festivals, like Pitchfork, not only provide a platform for artists to showcase their talents, but also bring together a diverse community of music lovers. It is a space where people from all walks of life can come together to celebrate their shared love for music and create lasting memories.
In a city known for its rich musical history, it is bittersweet to see Pitchfork leave. However, as they continue to evolve and adapt, we can only hope that they will return to their beloved home in Chicago in the future. Until then, let us cherish the memories and look forward to more exciting events from Pitchfork in the years to come.
