Pitchfork and the Art Institute of Chicago Bring Midwinter to Chicago!

Usually when we’re in the dregs of the winter months concerts slow down a bit and music festivals are nowhere to be seen. Thankfully that won’t be the case next year thanks to Pitchfork and the Art Institute of Chicago as they have teamed up for Midwinter, an all new music and art experience taking place at the Art Institute on February 15-17.

This three-day event will mix more than 30 incredible musical acts with the iconic works of masterworks of the Art Institute’s wide-ranging collection surrounding them. Pitchfork Radio will be broadcasting live from Midwinter, allowing attendees to sit in on artist interviews, enjoy intimate performances, and listen to deep cuts from rare vinyl collections and playlists curated by Pitchfork editors.

The Midwinter lineup definitely leans toward more complex and intricate artists, pairing them up nicely within the Art Institute’s myriad of spaces including the Grand Staircase where the nightly performers Madison McFerrin, Mary Lattimore, Daniel Bachman, Haley Fohr of Circuit des Yeux, and Marisa Anderson will convene; Griffin Court in the Modern Wing for more eclectic showcases from Deerhunter and Perfume Genius; the pristine Rubloff Auditorium will host the vibrant jazz of Kamasi Washington; Fullerton Hall will feature more intimate and acoustic performances from acts like Mount Eerie and Hiss Golden Messenger; and the reconstructed Stock Exchange will give fans of Mykki Blanco and Jlin the space they need to dance to their heart’s content. These acts barely scratch the surface of the deep and intriguing acts that will be performing in these beautiful spaces throughout the the weekend.

In addition to all the live performances, Midwinter will feature prerecorded compositions including unearthed recordings and original soundscapes. Tashi Wada & Julia Holter, Stars of the Lid, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, Helado Negro and more have contributed to this interesting project inspired by and responding to some of the iconic masterpieces housed in the museum’s vast collection.

Tickets for Midwinter go on sale tomorrow, Friday, November 16, at 10am, so don’t miss out on this incredible event! Prices begin at $50 per day for a single night general admission ticket, which includes access to the Art Institute of Chicago’s collection, select musical performances, gallery soundscapes, and the live recordings of Pitchfork Radio. A three-night weekend base ticket will be $127.50. Attendees will also have the opportunity to purchase tickets for special add-on performances starting at $15.  You can check out the full lineup of live performance below!

Performing Nightly
Madison McFerrin
Mary Lattimore
Daniel Bachman
Haley Fohr of Circuit des Yeux
Marisa Anderson

Friday, February 15
Slowdive
DJ Koze with opener Baba Stiltz
William Basinski – The Disintegration Loops with the Chicago Philharmonic
Mount Eerie
Mykki Blanco
Yves Tumor
Sudan Archives

Saturday, February 16
Kamasi Washington
Panda Bear
Tortoise – TNT 21st Anniversary Performance
Deerhunter
Grouper
Jlin
serpentwithfeet
William Basinski – On Time Out Of Time

Sunday, February 17
Oneohtrix Point Never
Laurie Anderson
Perfume Genius
Zola Jesus with opener Smerz
Joey Purp
Hiss Golden Messenger
Weyes Blood
JPEGMAFIA