It doesnt take a genius to figure out that, when super-cool music site Pitchfork invites several dozen of the worlds coolest bands and DJs to play Paris, beautiful things happen.
This weekend, over three nights, what Grizzly Bears frontman Ed Droste called a very international crowd, gathered at Grand Halle de la Villette in Pariss trendy north east for as eclectic a line-up as youll find. On day one the mostly French contingent cheered for a swaggering, smoking Sébastien Tellier; on day two, Jessie Ware represented for London, hip in leather and lace, and Robyn got us dancing to her Girls-popularised hit Dancing On My Own. Day three culminated in a super atmospheric lantern-lit display from accomplished Brooklyn pros Grizzly Bear, before Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, Simian Mobile Disco, Rustie and more took over to keep us dancing till the very, very, early hours.
Pitchfork makes you forget everything you thought you knew about festivals: the audience is nonchalant and wears nice shoes. Theres no camping. And your hangover is quelled by croissants not bacon butties. So while the partys wrapped up for this year, Pitchfork are busy organising their next outing in the sites hometown of Chicago from 12 to 14 July 2013. Thats not too far to go for a festival, right?
The need-to-know for next year
Who goes: glossy urbanites and soignée indie music fans
What to wear: American Apparels latest it-piece, jewelled headbands and smudgy black eyeliner.
Tickets: This year, three-day passes cost from £103. You could also buy one or two-day tickets
Enq pitchfork.com
Getting there: Eurostar, enq Eurostar.com has return fares from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord from around £69
For more winter festivals see the December issue of ELLE out 7 November