Located far from the reaches of major labels on the East and West coasts, Chicago relies on independent artists to thrive in providing live performance to its citizens. The yearly Pitchfork Music Festival, held this year from July 17 to July 19, exposes many low-profile Chicago artists to a wider audience by joining them with more recognizable artists. And of course, many of them have a queer pedigree. Cul de sac Magazine will be traveling to the stages between Ashland and Randolph for part of the festival, but make sure to check out some of the artists we’ll really be digging.

Yo La Tengo (Friday, 6:10 PM) – Yo La Tengo’s 24-year history has led to a compelling array of sonic greatness, and their contribution as composer to the soundtrack for the 2006 film Shortbus is indelible.

Final Fantasy (Saturday, 4:15 PM) – The solo work of openly gay arranger and composer Owen Pallett, who has worked with The Arcade Fire, Beirut (who will also be at Pitchfork on Saturday) and many more artists, is masterful. If his win for Canada’s inaugural Polaris Prize and honorary degree for composition that he received in 2002 for composing since the age of 13 are any indication, Pallet is definitely someone to check out.

Ponytail (Saturday, 4:30 PM) – Baltimore group Ponytail have got a lot of verve, much of it coming through queer frontwoman Molly Siegel. The powerful vocals and charged performances will definitely have you dancing.

The National (Saturday, 8:40 PM) – This New York band was part of the Dark Was the Night compilation released last year for HIV/AIDS fundraising organization Red Hot. Two of the band members were producers of that album, which also featured a duet between Feist and Ben Gibbard and original recordings by Antony of Antony and the Johnsons, Grizzly Bear, Sufjan Stevens and Yo La Teng

Grizzly Bear (Sunday, 7:25 PM) – The beautiful folk rock of Grizzly Bear will help close out the festival (right before The Flaming Lips rock it out). Led by openly gay Ed Droste, the band’s unique lyricism and understated melodies are essential listening.