The Pitchfork Music Festival will not return to Chicago in 2025

The Pitchfork Music Festival, long a staple of Chicago’s major summer music festival scene, announced Monday that it will not be returning to Chicago in 2025.

In a social media post, the festival’s organizers stated that the rapidly evolving music festival landscape was the reason for the decision to end the festival after 19 years in the city, writing in part:

“This decision was not made lightly. For 19 years, Pitchfork Music Festival has been a celebration of music, art and community – a place where memories were made, voices were amplified, and a shared love of music brought us all together. Although the festival suited the Pitchfork editorial team’s tastes, it has always been a community initiative that has taken on a life of its own as a major pillar of the Chicago art scene. We are deeply grateful to the city of Chicago for being the home of our festival for nearly two decades, to the artists who have graced our stages with unforgettable performances, and to the fans who have brought unparalleled energy year after year.”

The festival has been held in Union Park since 2006, with the exception of a pandemic-related cancellation in 2020.

The statement goes on to say that Pitchfork “will continue to produce events in 2025 and beyond.” We look forward to continuing to create spaces where music, culture and community intersect in uplifting ways – and we hope you do to see there.”

Earlier this year, Pitchfork’s parent company, publishing and media giant Condé Nast, announced that the festival’s eponymous website, with its highly regarded and influential industry coverage, would be integrated into the GQ brand, prompting staff layoffs and a new approach to site content /Scope.

Headliners at this year’s festival included Alanis Morissette, Grandmaster Flash, Black Pumas and Carly Rae Jepsen.

The Sun-Times has reached out to Condé Nast for further comment.