Delorean Brings 'Subiza' to Pitchfork Music Festival

Posted on Jul 18th 2010 11:00AM by Garin Pirnia

Day two of Chicago's 2010 Pitchfork Music Festival didn't offer a respite from the stifling heat, but Spanish group Delorean's mid-afternoon set at Union Park Saturday comprised of Ibiza-inspired Balearic beats somehow refreshed the crowd.

Delorean has been releasing albums since 2004, but it wasn't until last year's 'Ayrton Senna' EP and this year's 'Subiza' full-length that they garnered an active audience. The Spaniards opened with the highly infectious and popular 'Seasun' from 'Ayrton,' replete with a vuvuzela-like horn emitting throughout the venue. The crowd was almost too lethargic to dance, so they instead opted to furiously nod their heads in approval and toss balloons around.

Even though the seven-song set was prefaced with a festival organizer telling the crowd not waste their water and throw it into the air, some audience members disobeyed and showered the crowd with their precious agua. Delorean worked hard, hitting the synths and jamming on guitars as their long, black hair thrashed into their faces. The sun beat down, but an occasional breeze cut through the unbearable heat. Second song 'Stay Close,' from 'Subiza,' culminated in pulsating beats. The crowd thrust their arms into the air on another new track, 'Real Love.' While a loop played at the beginning of 'Endless Sunset,' a couple of people crowd-surfed near the stage.

Delorean's music complimented the oppressive summer day well, especially with endless summer-themed song titles. Lead singer Ekhi Lopetegi took a break to comment on the heat: "This weather is much worse in Spain." Another single from 'Ayrton,' 'Deli,' piqued the crowd's interest and finally got them jiving and hand-clapping to the sunny melodies. The final two songs, the apropos-named 'Warmer Places' and 'Grow,' went back to 'Subiza' and encouraged more hand-clapping and head-nodding from the overheated crowd. "Have a good day," Lopetegi said, quietly ending their brief set.

Watch Delorean perform 'Real Love' during yesterday's set: