A Few More Things: Rush, Pitchfork, Electric Picnic

Rush’s Alex Lifeson says the band is looking at spring 2015 for its next trek, which marks 41 years since Neil Peart joined the band, taking over on drums for John Rutsey. 1974 was also the same year the band released its self-titled debut album.

“We haven’t really talked seriously about what we want to do,” Lifeson told Rolling Stone. But I think we’re probably going to lean towards making it a real sort of fan event, and really try to put something together that’s very pleasing for the fans across the board. That’s always been difficult, for us to sort of balance things.”

The guitarist added that after supporting 2012’s Clockwork Angels on its last tour, he wants to mix in some different material on the setlist.  

“I’ve always wanted to do some rarer Rush material, and this should be a good opportunity to do that.”

Click here to read the full RS story.  

Along with St. Vincent and Earl Sweatshirt, Pitchfork Music Festival’s roster now includes Danny Brown, Avey Tare’s Slasher Flicks, Real Estate, Schoolboy Q, Cloud Nothings and more.

Check out the daily schedule below for the July 18-20 festival at Chicago’s Union Park.

Friday, July 18: Beck, Avey Tare’s Slasher Flicks, Giorgio Moroder, Sun Kil Moon, Factory Floor, Death Grips, The Haxan Cloak, Sharon Van Etten, Isaiah Rashad, Hundred Waters, SZA

Saturday, July 19: Neutral Milk Hotel, The Field, FKA Twigs, St. Vincent, Danny Brown, Kelela, tUnE-yArDs, The Range, Pusha T, The Julie Ruin, Cloud Nothings, Mas Ysa, Wild Beasts, Circulatory System, Empress Of, Ka, Twin Peaks

Sunday, July 20: Kendrick Lamar, Hudson Mohawke, Grimes, DJ Rashad & DJ Spinn, Slowdive, Real Estate, Jon Hopkins, Schoolboy Q, Dum Dum Girls, Earl Sweatshirt, Majical Cloudz, Deafheaven, Perfect Pussy, DIIV, Speedy Ortiz, Mutual Benefit

Tickets are on sale now, priced at $130 for three-day passes and $60 for single-day tix. Visit PitchforkMusicFestival.com for more info.

Pack your basket because Ireland’s Electric Picnic is serving up performances from Portishead, Outkast, Beck, Foals, Pet Shop Boys, Paolo Nutini, Chic featuring Nile Rodgers and Lily Allen.

Plus, St. Vincent, Simple Minds, London Grammar, Metronomy, Slowdive, The Blades, Laura Mvula, Annie Mac, Flume, Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks and many more will be there.

The festival is scheduled Aug. 29-31 at Stradbally Estate. Weekend passes are on sale now for €194.50 ($268.29). But don’t wait because the price will increase! Sunday tickets are €90.00 ($124.15) and campervan tickets are €60 ($82.76).

“Discount reward scheme” tickets are available for return festivalgoers. Plus, the festival is offering a three-stage installment plan.

For more information click here for the festival’s website.