-
13
Jul
Possibly the most exciting thing about the evening of Friday, July 16, at the Pitchfork Music Festival (no offense, Modest Mouse) is the addition of a comedy stage emceed by Les Savy Fav’s Tim Harrington.
As any of you that caught their show at the Epiphany Church last year know, Harrington is a riveting act unto himself—he began last year’s show in a clerical collar, and ended it at the back of the church in his underwear, wishing “peace be with you” to each audience member as they left. Needless to say, Pitchfork has hired one of the few people around who I’d pay to see just introduce other people to the stage.
But the comedians assembled for the festival can certainly hold their own, and there isn’t a weak link in the lineup.
HANNIBAL BURESS: (b)alance Stage, 5:45 p.m.
Chicago’s own Hannibal Buress apparently isn’t too busy big-timing us in New York as writer on Saturday Night Live, and is coming back to town to start the night off. His laid-back delivery is going to be the perfect way to ease into the weekend on a warm Friday evening, but rest assured: this guy is fucking hilarious. Any dude that has a joke about apple juice making him forget about racism is okay in my book. Though that joke isn’t in this clip. Regardless.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WYATT CENAC: (b)alance Stage, 6:30 p.m.
Next up is Wyatt Cenac, who you know as a correspondent on The Daily Show, but has also been doing stand-up for quite a while. Being a gifted improviser (he’s performed with the likes of the Upright Citizens Brigade), my guess is he never does the same show twice, so he’s not to be missed.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MICHAEL SHOWALTER: (b)alance Stage, 7:15 p.m.
And then, oh my god, Michael Showalter is up next. You know him from The State, the best thing that’s ever been on MTV outside of Dan Cortez. You know him from Wet Hot American Summer, the best movie to ever feature Jeanine Garofalo and David Hyde Pierce making out. You know him from Stella, which I’ll stick my neck out on and say is one of the best things that’s ever been on Comedy Central (I know, bold statement). And you know him from his collaboration with Michael Ian Black, Michael and Michael Have Issues, which, of course, only got one season. But that gives Showalter more time to bring his irreverent stand-up to Pitchfork, so we’re in luck.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
EUGENE MIRMAN: (b)alance Stage, 8:00 p.m.
Rounding out the evening is Eugene Mirman, who once again proves the stereotype that people from Russia have great senses of humor. You’ve seen Mirman as Jemaine and Bret’s landlord in Flight of the Conchords, but he also is one of the most well-regarded stand-ups working today. He’s released three albums, and his genial delivery makes his absurd musings even more hilarious. Check out his speech to graduating high school seniors last year and tell me you’re going to skip this guy. You’re not gonna skip this guy.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
So, yes, it is the Pitchfork Music Festival, and yes, these are not musicians, but I have to say that each comedian on the bill is rightly considered a great stand-up act. So, tear yourself away from the beer tent and check out the comedy stage on Friday. I’m thinking it’ll be the highlight of the night.
- Posted by Andy Kondrat in: Festivals News























One Response to “There’s something funny about Pitchfork Music Festival 2010”
Very excited for Showalter,
Leave a Reply