“There was no reason to do this” — Fans upset over Pitchfork canceling its annual Music Festival in Chicago after 19 years

Pitchfork announced the cancelation of its annual Music Festival in Chicago after an almost two-decade run. On Monday, November 11, 2023, the organizers announced the unfortunate news in an X post, adding that it was due to the rapidly evolving "music festival landscape." The statement continued:

"This decision was not made lightly. For 19 years, (the 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."

As the news went viral, internet users were quick to express their disappointment. One user criticized the publication's parent company, Condé Nast's recent move to lay off several staff members, writing:

"F**k Condé Nast. There was no reason to do this, we’ve supported this festival year after year and this is what we get. “Evolving festival landscape” my a**."

A comment reacting to the news (Image via X/ @pitchforkfest)

Netizens continued to express their heartbreak at the news, blaming the parent company. Some of the comments read:

"Just awful. WTF. Heartbreaking tbh," one wrote.

I will never forgive you @CondeNast," another remarked.

"This is so sad. i have so many great memories from it. shout out to the people running conde nast for fumbling another bag, again," a user criticized.

Others reminisced about their experiences at the music festival, speaking about its significance in their lives.

"Where are introspective teens supposed to self actualize now," a person rhetorically questioned.

"this is devastating. I’ve been going every year since 2009, before I even moved here. I can’t imagine a chicago summer without pitchfork," a user lamented.

My music home for my entire adult life. A touch point against which I could return and measure my growth and change. To say it was influential in my life would be a vast understatement. Thank you for everything," a fan added.

---

Pitchfork founder Ryan Schreiber along with Chris Kaskie and Mike Reed founded the music festival

Pitchfork founder Ryan Schreiber, along with former staff member Chris Kaskie and music producer Mike Reed, founded the music festival in 2006. It has since been held in Chicago every year (except during the COVID-19 lockdown).

According to a report by Rolling Stone, the publication was initially hired to help curate the Intonation Festival in 2005. However, a year later, they launched their fest.

In their latest announcement on X, the organizers explained that despite the Pitchfork Music Festival being started by the magazine's editorial team, it was a "collaborative effort" that became a "vital pillar of the Chicago arts scene."

The magazine thanked the city, the audience, and the various artists who performed at the event over the years. The message also extended gratitude to the crew and team working behind the scenes.

"Pitchfork will continue to produce events in 2025 and beyond,” the brand wrote. “We look forward to continuing to create spaces where music, culture, and community intersect in uplifting ways — and we hope to see you there," the announcement concluded.

Some of the memorable acts at the event include Alanis Morissette, the National, Bon Iver, Kendrick Lamar, and Erykah Badu.

In January 2024, The New York Times reported that Condé Nast, the parent company that owns Pitchfork, merged the magazine with GQ (CN brought it in 2015). In a staff memo, chief content officer Anna Wintour explained that it was "the best path forward for the brand so that our coverage of music can continue to thrive within the company." This reportedly resulted in mass layoffs.

It remains unclear whether the festival will be held in another city.