Pygmalion Music Festival: World-renowned indie acts swoop down in Central Illinois
Chicago’s known for its vast summer festivals and vibrant music scene, but two hours away in the sleepy college town of Urbana-Champaign, every September showcases a four-day music fest bringing in the best in indie-rock from all over the world. In its sixth year, Pygmalion Music Fest promises over 60 acts of incredible non-stop live music from September 22-25th.
Central Illinois’ University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana is the nucleus of nearby towns Champaign, IL and Urbana, IL. Believe it or not, in the 90's and beyond, the cities bred quite a prolific music scene with many bands and record labels making a name for themselves nationally, like Hum, Braid, and most recently, Headlights. The towns are rife with music venues, bars, and a performing arts center where most of the events for the fest take place.
Founded in 2005, Pygmalion Fest wasn’t named after the George Bernard Shaw play but after an album by the influential shoegaze band, Slowdive. Every night, bars and other venues open their doors to a few bands on every bill held concurrently across the town. With so many acts playing at once, it might be hard to decide what acts to see when and where. This year, top-notch groups Of Montreal, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, Built to Spill, Okkervil River, and Roky Erickson will make anticipated appearances.
Of Montreal has grown in scope in the past few years and now usually commands large auditoriums and elaborate stage shows, so it’s rare to see them in a venue as intimate as The Canopy Club. Legendary Texas singer/songwriter Roky Erickson will perform with fellow Texans Okkervil River in support of their joint album released earlier this year. The long list continues with heavy hitting indie bands known at an international level, and smaller, up-and-coming ones that shouldn’t be missed. Chicago’s local scene is also represented with upstart group Light Pollution and old stalwarts Cap‘n Jazz and Owen.
Posted by Garin Pirnia
