After 19 years, Chicago's Pitchfork Music Festival has announced it will not return to Union Park in 2025. The festival's final edition in summer 2024 featured notable artists including Alanis Morissette, Carly Rae Jepsen, 100 Gecs, Black Pumas, and Jai Paul.

According to Chicago alderman Walter Burnett, the shutdown is primarily due to:

• Lack of sponsorship
• Rising insurance costs
• Increased competition from other summer music festivals

The announcement comes amid broader changes at Condé Nast, Pitchfork's parent company, which recently announced layoffs affecting various media brands under its umbrella.

While the festival will not continue in its current form, Pitchfork has stated they will "continue to produce events in 2025 and beyond." City officials are actively working to prevent the complete departure of the event from Chicago, though specific plans remain unclear.

For nearly two decades, the festival served as a significant platform for both established and emerging artists, becoming an integral part of Chicago's cultural landscape and music scene.

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