photo: courtesy riot fest
The Riot Fest lineup was announced yesterday.
“Epic.” “Blows Lolla Out of the Water.” “Only $69.98?!”
Those were just a few of the comments infiltrating social media as the initial lineup of the ninth annual Riot Fest & Carnival (September 13-15) was announced late last night. And we can’t disagree.
Headliners Fall Out Boy are likely the biggest draw, putting local fans at ease that have been eager to catch the rebounding quartet since they announced a reunion in February (including those of you who don’t have tickets for their sold-out show tonight at The Riv). True to form, the fest is fleshed out with major punk acts, many of them a who’s who of classic kingpins, including Blink-182, Rancid, Bad Religion, Screeching Weasel, Pennywise, The Lawrence Arms, X and Bad Brains.
The 2013 lineup, while diverse, remains heavy on the legends. So, great for you diehards; not so much for the modern music fan who has no idea who Bob Mould is. Metal mainstays Motorhead and GWAR will make appearances as will ‘80s new wave icons Blondie and Peter Hook (performing a Joy Division set). For those into alt rock, Dinosaur Jr., Smoking Popes and Guided By Voices are apt additions; in hip-hop, look out for super group Public Enemy and up-and-comer lady emcee Dessa.
It’s interesting to see where this fest has come in the nine years of its existence. Started in 2005 by punk fans and promoters Michael Petryshyn and Sean McKeough as a small multi-venue affair, last year saw the festival relocate to Humboldt Park and add in carnival attractions as well as expand into new markets like Brooklyn, Toronto and Dallas.
Chicago will always be the original though, and the organizers make that apparent with this year’s over-the-top edition. The $69.98 three-day passes were nabbed in a matter of hours. It’s still a steal at $99.98 but you’ll need to hustle to get yours as we expect a sell-out.
Buy tickets here.
Here’s the complete list of announced acts:
- Fall Out Boy
- Blink-182
- Violent Femmes
- Motorhead
- Rancid
- Blondie
- Sublime with Rome
- AFI * Public Enemy
- Brand New
- Flag
- Guided By Voices
- Rocket From The Crypt
- Bad Religion
- All Time Low
- Taking Back Sunday
- Pierce the Veil
- Atmosphere
- The Dismemberment Plan
- Dinosaur Jr.
- Best Coast
- DeVotchka
- The Broadways
- Screeching Weasel
- Pennywise
- The Lillingtons
- Bob Mould
- Against Me!
- GWAR
- Yellowcard
- The Lawrence Arms
- Say Anything
- X
- Bad Brains
- Quicksand
- The Selecter
- Mission of Burma
- Stars
- Toots and the Maytals
- Peter Hook (Joy Division Set)
- Bad Books
- The Devil Wears Prada
- Saves The Day
- Glassjaw
- Bayside
- Smoking Popes
- Reggie and the Full Effect
- Attack Attack!
- The Dear Hunter
- Maps and Atlases
- Surfer Blood
- Chuck Ragan Dessa
- Saul Williams
- Empires
- Mephiskapheles
- Kitten
- Peelander-Z
- Touché Amoré
- Masked Intruder
- Deal’s Gone Bad
- Twin Peaks
- Flatfoot 56
- White Mystery
- Environmental Encroachment
- Radkey
- No D’bags Allowed
And more to be announced!
Riot Fest, September 13-15, Humboldt Park. Tickets range from $99.98-$175.
Selena Fragassi is a contributing music critic for Chicago.