The Pitchfork Music Festival kicked-off its 2024 edition in Chicago on Friday, July 19. Along with seeing big names like Black Pumas, 100 gecs, and Jai Paul, one of the best things about going to the fest is seeing how artists grow and evolve over the years.
Yaeji, Kathy Yaeji Lee, is one such artist. The electronic producer and DJ is no stranger to Union Park having last delighted festival-goers with an intimate set on the Blue Stage back in 2021. This year, Yaeji had more space to connect with sonic soulmates across the field as she played an early-evening set on the much larger Red Stage. She was also joined by a pair of dancers, and backed-up by a collection of visual artistry displayed on a large screen, to further enrich the experience.
With material from her stellar 2023 debut album, With a Hammer, under her belt, Yaeji delivered one of the most cathartic sets of the day giving fans ample opportunities to dance the rage away. Taking inspiration from techno, pop, and jazz, all with an avant garde twist, the music served as a unifying tonic bringing everyone to the same blissful plane of existence.
Prior to her set, Yaeji stopped by the Interview Stage – sponsored by Visit Austin – to share some insight into her creative process during a conversation with Pitchfork Senior Editor, Anna Gaca. Among the topics discussed was the meaning of Brat summer, new material, and looking back on the journey of writing and recording With a Hammer a little over a year after its initial release.
“I guess when I set off to write With a Hammer, maybe two thirds along the way, I realized something while I was in the shower, and it’s that by the time the album is out I still won’t fully understand what it’s about,” Yaeji explained. “The intention I set up for it was that I’m going to explore my anger and how emotions are like alchemy and how anger may transmute into something new, but I wasn’t sure how. I think from a year of it living, breathing, finding its way to other people’s ears – and most of all performing it live – actually really helped me understand how anger is transmuting. So, it’s been a really, really beautiful year where it’s helped me sort of transform into having a better understanding, and better loving myself and, in turn, having that much more love to give to others too.”
Check out photos from Yaeji’s set below and click here to pick-up tickets to the remaining days of the Pitchfork Music Festival. More information about Yaeji can be found at Yaeji.com.
(Photos by Laurie Fanelli)
