Mia E. from New York was the winner of the Propeller experience to "Win a VIP Trip to Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago" that took place in July 2024. Below are some of Mia's highlights from the experience.
Ah, Chicago. The city of sport pepper hot dogs, blues, and WIND.
I'm a longtime Pitchfork reader, so I was ecstatic to find out I won Propeller's sweepstakes to Pitchfork Music Festival in Union Park. I'd never been before, and I was super excited to catch all the live acts. I also took a friend along for the journey. It was our first time in Chicago.
We departed from New York, so the flight was speedy and comfortable. We stayed at the Fairmont Chicago for four nights; I wish we didn't have to leave. Our suite felt immense; we shared a Queen-sized bed and had plenty of room to rest. We went to town on the room's Nespresso machine every morning. We were also given passes to a nearby fitness center when we checked in. After getting settled, my friend and I walked over to swim in a rooftop pool and decompress in the sauna.
The night was still young, so we walked downtown and tried the deep-dish pizza at Uno. I wasn't a fan, to say the least, but my friend enjoyed it. We walked by the river and were stunned by the view. I also really wasn't anticipating the wind! I knew Chicago was known as the Windy City, though I severely underestimated it. The humidity in New York was insane throughout the month, so Chicago's breezy weather was very refreshing.
I'm a huge fan of "The Bear," so we went to Mr. Beef, where the series was partially filmed. The sandwiches were juicy and savory and served as great fuel for what was to come. On the way there, we also snuck in some sightseeing, including the lauded Cloud Gate and Marina City, an iconic piece of architecture notably featured on the album cover for Wilco's "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot."
It was then time to hit up the festival. We decided to take the Chicago "L," which was a pleasant ride. I'm used to being underground on New York's subway, so it was a nice change of scenery to travel on a train above ground and have a heightened view of the city.
Propeller awarded us two weekend VIP passes, which included a free tote, complimentary dinner, drinks, and an exclusive lounge to hang around in. The lounge had a makeup booth, where I bedazzled my face for Alanis Morrissette's set. All of these perks maximized the experience. We also had access to a viewing balcony by the stage.
We caught high adrenaline sets from Yaeji, 100 Gecs, Unwound, De La Soul, and many others. My favorite, though, had to be Hailu Mergia, the Ethiopian synth wizard of jazz. It was my second time seeing him live, and it was fantastic to experience his band in a festival setting.
Even though we had planned which sets we would see, there was so much to do that we got sidetracked. Besides the music, the festival also had a record/merchant/poster fair, a free iced coffee stand, and, of course, the lounge. There was so much to do!
After the festival on Saturday night, we decided to hit up Metro, a notable venue and nightclub. Propeller also awarded us a $200 rideshare credit, so exploring the city was very easy and convenient.
This wasn't an aimless endeavor. We went to see RP Boo, an innovator in footwork, a type of dance music that is unique to the city and known for its rapid-fire beats and dancing. I'm a huge fan, and seeing a Chicago legend in his hometown was a great honor. All that dancing made us hungry again, so we grabbed a Chicago dog from across the street. It was the best hot dog I've ever eaten.
My weekend in Chicago was unforgettable. I'm grateful to Propeller for planning and organizing everything; I don't think I would've gone otherwise. I hope to keep propelling on and hopefully catch another concert soon!
- Mia E.
