Pitchfork Music Festival Paris is back and better than ever, featuring an incredible lineup that will take place across 13 different venues across the capital. Ready to devour a week of concerts? So are we.

Pitchfork has just announced its initial lineups for Pitchfork Music Festival Berlin and Pitchfork Music Festival Paris - with Berlin taking place November 1-5 and the Paris iteration going down on November 6 -12.

For its second year, the Pitchfork Music Festival Berlin will showcase an impressive lineup, featuring artists such as Armand Hammer, Dudu Tassa & Jonny Greenwood, Fazerdaze, Flavien Berger, Ghostly Kisses, Hagop Tchaparian, Mandy, Indiana, Mavi, MIKE, MorMor, Mykki Blanco, Nabihah Iqbal, Porridge Radio, Sweeping Promises, Water From Your Eyes, Weval, and Youth Lagoon. The festival's events are scheduled to be held at various venues, including Zenner, Betonhalle at silent green, Kulturquartier, Astra Kulturhaus, and Festsaal Kreuzberg, with more artists to be revealed in the near future.

Now celebrating its 12th year, Pitchfork Music Festival Paris has unveiled its initial artist lineup, joining the previously announced headliner, Weyes Blood. The roster includes a diverse array of talents such as Been Stellar, Crumb, Dream Wife, Helado Negro, Ichiko Aoba, Ivorian Doll, Mavi, Namasenda, pablopablo, Pillow Queens, and Youth Lagoon, with more exciting artists yet to be revealed. Much like in previous editions, the festival will be hosted across multiple venues in the city, including Eglise Saint-Eustache, Trabendo, Petit Bain, La Place, La Salle Pleyel, and more.

Furthermore, Pitchfork is thrilled to reintroduce the Pitchfork Avant-Garde program during the Paris festival, showcasing emerging independent artists. This year's performers will include Anjimile, Bar Italia, Bingo Fury, eee gee, Eli Smart, Fat Dog, Girl and Girl, Gurriers, JAWNY, Kara Jackson, Khakikid, kid apollo, Lana Lubany, Lip Critic, MAFRO, Medium Build, Memphis LK, Mercury, Militarie Gun, POiSON ANNA, Ray Laurél, Richy Mitch & The Coal Miners, Skinny Pelembe, Sofia Kourtesis, Sophie May, University, venbee, and Water From Your Eyes. The Pitchfork Avant-Garde shows are set to captivate audiences in the vibrant Bastille district, with venues including Badaboum, PopUp!, Café de la Danse, Supersonic, Supersonic Records, Les Disquaires, and the Atelier Basfroi.

Festival Posters

Origins of Pitchfork Music Festival Paris

A Musical Legacy

The Pitchfork Music Festival Paris traces its roots back to the iconic Pitchfork Media, a pioneering music platform that has been instrumental in shaping the global music landscape which has evolved into a venerable institution within just fifteen years. Originally, it was merely a column for a handful of indie rock enthusiasts, but it rapidly diversified to encompass pop, rock, folk, electro, jazz, and hip hop, with a pronounced affinity for underground music, establishing itself as a definitive authority in the industry. Renowned for its avant-garde and discerning music taste, Pitchfork has been a tastemaker in the industry since its inception in 1995.

The pivotal year was 2006 when the webzine organized its maiden festival at Chicago's Union Park. Five years later, the festival made an exciting announcement: the Pitchfork Music Festival was extending its reach to France, specifically in Paris, at the Grand Halle de la Villette. In 2011, the inaugural edition featured an illustrious lineup including Bon Iver, Aphex Twin, Washed Out, Real Estate, Wild Beasts, Lykke Li, and Jens Lekman.

A Transatlantic Love Affair

The birth of Pitchfork Music Festival Paris in 2011 marked the culmination of a profound transatlantic love affair between the acclaimed music platform Pitchfork Media and the enchanting city of Paris. This union of two cultural powerhouses was a momentous occasion that resonated deeply with music aficionados on both sides of the Atlantic. This expansion across the Atlantic brought the essence of Pitchfork to Europe, cementing its status as a global musical phenomenon.

The choice of location was not arbitrary; it was a deliberate nod to the rich artistic and cultural heritage of Paris. The festival found its home in the magnificent Grand Halle de la Villette, a venue that epitomized the grandeur and charm of the city.

As the festival made its debut in Paris, it brought with it a lineup that was nothing short of sensational. In 2011, the first edition featured an eclectic mix of artists, including Bon Iver, Aphex Twin, Washed Out, Real Estate, Wild Beasts, Lykke Li, and Jens Lekman. This impressive roster was a testament to Pitchfork's commitment to celebrating diversity and showcasing artists from various musical backgrounds.

The debut of Pitchfork Music Festival Paris in 2011 was not merely an event; it was the embodiment of a musical love story that transcended borders and celebrated the universal language of music.