wuscfm

[wuscfm]

Pitchfork Music Festival 2018: Meeting Noname

Where It All Began: Sure, people go nuts over celebs like Beyoncé, Rihanna, or even SZA. They might fantasize about the day they finally get the chance to meet their beloved idol, practicing over and over what they are going to say and how they are going to react. An underground artist usually doesn't seem to get the same amount of… "clout" as the kids say. But for the people who follow their music and call themselves fans of the culture, these artists are highly ranked. To put it in perspective, Noname is my Beyoncé. From the moment I heard her verse on Chance The Rapper's Israel I knew I had to figure out who this woman was. I became entranced by the rise and fall of her artistic monotone and knew there was a story there. This curiosity led me to her mixtape entitled Telefone.  I became an instant fan. Before long, I knew every word and developed a one-sided friendship with the rapper. I hoped in the back of my mind that someday I'd be privileged enough to meet her.

The Day: It was the second day of the Pitchfork Music Festival and I was pumped to see acts like Moses Sumney, Berhana, and Kelela. I had no intention of meeting Noname this Saturday since she wasn't performing until the following day. In fact, I was tired and began to lose hope that I'd even get close. I realized the first day of my coverage that a press pass doesn't guarantee access to artists. There were still a few layers to get through before meeting an artist of interest. Before the festival, I contacted Noname on Instagram, Facebook, and even went as far as emailing her publicist.  I wanted to get a picture with her for WUSC's blog, and I also wanted to chat with her if possible. It had been two weeks since I reached out and I still hadn't heard back. I realized that if I had an encounter with Noname, it would either be by chance, or I'd have to make it happen on my own while I was there.

It had begun to rain that day adding to my discouragement but I wouldn't let myself lose hope. I began to get crafty and made friends with a background vocalist for one of the acts. I decided to do so after watching him finesse his friends backstage with him. When I got the chance, I pulled him aside and asked for some tips. He told me to meet him at Green Stage after his set and he'd see if he could pull some strings. It seemed that things were finally starting to look up! Needless to say, I waited there at Green Stage as my new friend performed his set. I'd gotten tired of the tussle of the crowd and started to feel claustrophobic. There were people pushing, tugging, and jumping senselessly. I weaved my way through several bodies until I was on the outskirts of the massive and rather distracted crowd. Ahhhh fresh air!  Once I finally caught my breath, it was snatched away from me once again because I looked up and saw no other than Noname herself.

Is This Really Happening? She was walking up to Green Stage humbly joining the crowd of fans (many of them her own). She was so casual about the whole thing and was sipping on a beverage while chatting with friends. To my surprise, no one seemed to notice her, and the few people who did played it cool.  My heart sunk into my butt and I couldn't breathe. I had to gather my thoughts and make sense of what was happening. I wanted to play it cool too, but the reality that Noname was standing less than 4 feet away from me, just by chance, seemed too good to be true. Especially after all the hard work I'd put in prior. I think it was at this point that I left my body.

The Moment: From across the yard I watched myself walk up to my favorite rapper and before I knew it I was standing in front of her. I told her that Telefone had been on repeat since I first heard it and she seemed to think that was funny. Her gaze was intense as she listened to what I was saying. I immediately went on autopilot. I could feel the words coming out of my mouth but I never completely registered what I was saying. I remember them in fragments "Noname"… "WUSC"… "huge fan"…. It was an unreal experience to be that close to the person I listened to in the car, got ready to in the mornings, and meditated to at night. I asked her for a picture and she was happy to take one with me. She wrapped her arms around my shoulders as I snapped the pic. She was so kind and welcoming and that helped to make the experience even better. In the distance, I saw others approaching, hoping for their chance to get a picture as well. I can tell she probably just wanted to enjoy her time, and I didn't want to be a menace so I said goodbye and that was that. It was a very brief encounter, but it meant the absolute world to me. As I walked away in a trance, thinking of how I accomplished exactly what I wanted, it suddenly dawned on me that I forgot to tell her my name. Oh well! I'm sure Noname didn't even think twice about it. I chuckled at the irony.

By Autumn Smith @strangefruitphotography

[wuscfm]

Pitchfork Music Festival 2018: Ravyn Lenae at Red Stage

My day started early that Sunday. Ravyn was the first performer I was eager to see amongst other big names like Noname and Smino. Once I got to Union Park, I waited at Red Stage hours before her performance. I just knew I had to be front row. As a fan, I couldn't settle for being in the press pit because my heart would've broken the moment we were escorted out by security. 

To my surprise, the front row was even better than the pit because I could photograph Ravyn from an audience member's perspective during her set. Before long the music began and Ravyn became visible for everyone to see. She approached her bright red feathery microphone, the crowd produced a roar that could be heard all around Chicago. "Can I sing for you Chicago?" she asked. The crowd cheered once more in response. Her high energy seemed to directly translate to the audience. 

As she sashayed across the stage in her silver luminescent wardrobe the crowd became electric neon. There were screaming fans all around belting the lyrics to "Venezuela Trains", the first song of her set. Ravyn never seemed to tire, and the energy never seemed to die down. This was due in part to her rhythmic and soulful music but was also a result of Ravyn's willingness to speak directly with her audience. She kept everyone engaged and excited. She started nearly every song with a question directed at the crowd. She'd ask about long distance relationships, and even addressed being in the friend zone. The mix of murmurs amongst crowd goers seemed to vibrate in my chest as each person spoke their own private response. They didn't feel judged or burdened by their experiences, but they were instead freed for a moment in time. Even though we couldn't hear one another, there was still a mutual sense of community with this crowd of strangers who'd most likely never cross paths again. This was the magic of Ravyn's performance. Her ability to make everyone feel like part of something bigger than themselves, and her willingness to withhold nothing in her art.

By Autumn Smith

@strangefruiphotography

[wuscfm]

Pitchfork Music Festival 2018: Julien Baker at Blue Stage

There couldn't have been a more appropriate setting for Julien Baker's performance at Pitchfork Music Festival 2018. Located at a private and rather hidden sector of Union Park, Blue Stage embodied Julien's performance in its title and essence. 

It was without a doubt the smallest stage at the festival, but the crowd was anything but. The stage seemed to swallow Julien as she approached armed with nothing but with her vocals and her guitar. After watching countless performances with several band members playing alongside, or behind a header, it provided a calming intimacy to see only Julien behind a microphone. Single-handedly bridging the gap between her and the crowd, Julien was a one-man band. She played lead over her own rhythms with the help of a synth board. It has become a signature part of her performances and her fans have learned to look for it during her shows. 

The crowd seemed captivated by her haunting guitar riffs and passionate vocals. Even the most reserved individual would have to exert tremendous effort not to get lost in her spellbinding lyrics. The calming silence of the crowd only confirmed Julien's gift for making music tangible. She was effortless in creating an atmosphere for her audience. Looking at the faces in the crowd, it was clear that they not only wanted to hear every lyric, but they wanted to feel them too. 

Before long, Julien made the transition from guitar to keyboard. She began belting out songs from her latest album "Turn Out the Lights" for an eager and mesmerized crowd. The pained cracking in her voice a beautiful manifestation of the turmoil inside. Seeing this incredible artist live redefined the Pitchfork experience for me. After seeing individuals screaming, jumping and dancing erratically, it was nice to wind down and see many of those same individuals entranced by the artistry of the one and only Julien Baker.

By Autumn Smith Photo: @strangefruitphotography

[wuscfm]

Website Under Construction!

As our website goes through some renovations, we’ll be using this domain to make sure you keep getting the reviews and updates that you want! Bookmark wuscfm.tumblr.com for any upcoming coverage.