To me, Canada has only two things: a solid healthcare program and the pop indie outfit The New Pornographers. Of course it helps that you have the likes of Dan Bejar and Carl Newman driving an upbeat music group that in and of itself is a rarity in music today.

Thankfully, they showed up in Chicago at the Pitchfork Festival in bright spirits and tight sounds sampling everything from new material off their upcoming Challengers release to their roots with FUBAR. For fifty-five minutes the festival shined with power pop and true indie bliss.

Photos Copyright Karen Kendall

Part freakshow and theatrics but little on solid sound, Of Montreal took their dance fun music to stage with mixed results.  Their on stage antics were marred by their less than accurate portrayal of what everyone wanted: the classics.  Instead we sat thru majority new material and a stripping Kevin Barnes and a enough costumes to make it look less like a concert and more like Sweeny Todd.

Photos Copyright Karen Kendall

Ex Pavement gone lighter side of rock Stephen Malkmus strapped on his guitar and strummed his way into fandemonium.  Those who knew his background were enthralled by every word and chord change.  Others were wondering where the rest of his band was. But no one could deny his talent as he effortlessly traded electric and acoustic sounds from the influential rocker.

Photos Copyright Karen Kendall