riot fest tickets
- All Ticket Types (1-Day, 2-Day, 3-Day Passes) Available HERE
- Rain or Shine event. Tickets are nonrefundable/nontransferable. All event information, including lineup is subject to change.
- The event is all-ages. Kids 5 and under are free.
- For additional information, please visit Riot Fest Official FAQ Page
- Your health and safety are our top priority. Please check here for updates to our Covid-19 Guidelines and Entrance Policy
riot fest reviews
Riot Fest took happen this year despite the fact that numerous bands pulled out at the last minute, demonstrating the true community spirit of the punk and indie rock music scenes, as several additional acts stepped in to fill the holes only days before the four-day Chicago event began. "Every year is difficult, but this one required a little more love and affection," admits spokesperson Heather West, in perhaps the most understated statement of the year.Most other festivals could have pondered cancelling after losing Sunday headliner Nine Inch Nails, as well as beloved bands Pixies and Dinosaur Jr., which all cancelled tours because to the COVID-19 outbreak. Mike Patton's bands, Mr. Bungle and Faith No More, both cancelled shows to allow him to deal with mental health difficulties.The empty seats were swiftly filled, probably as a result of the festival's strong relationships with other performers throughout the years.
Morrissey agrees to perform (on the condition that no meat be served on Thursday); Slipknot fill in for Nine Inch Nails; and speed metal gods Anthrax cheerfully return to the event, demonstrating the professionalism that has kept the band rocking for 40 years. Kristeen Young, who was in New York working on videos for her new album 'The Beauty Shop,' was also added at the last minute.
Patti Smith, whose gig in Evanston was cancelled after seven songs due to a storm last month, gets to play a full set on a lovely, sunny Saturday; Rise Against fill in for Faith No More; and Riot Fest favourites Alkaline Trio, like Joyce Manor, are last-minute fill ins as well.
Riot Fest, which has not taken place in over 700 days, proves once again why it is one of the best pound-for-pound music festivals in a country overrun with music festivals — not only going on, but rocking on.
Thursday is touted as a "preview party," with only six performers, but it's an excellent setting because one band follows another, reducing disagreements over which artist to attend when two favourites perform at the same time – as will certainly happen the remainder of the weekend. Fans who had been looking forward to seeing live music for a long time (fans had to provide confirmation of COVID-19 immunisation or a negative test within 72 hours to enter) were not disappointed.
riotfest chicago
Kristeen Young, who claims she hasn't performed in front of an audience in over two years, puts on an art-rock concert that is both exuberant and encouraging. Young, who is about to release her 11th studio album, has always been an acquired taste who is best in a dark, indoor club, but she pulls off a nice show in the scorching afternoon light here. She also encourages festivalgoers to "check out Ganser," a Chicago-based post-punk, noise band that will perform on Saturday.
Patti Smith begins her concert by greeting the adoring audience a "Happy Mexican Independence Day," describing it as "another strike against colonialism," before launching into 'People Have The Power,' the song she frequently plays till the end of her gigs. She also dedicates her song "Redondo Beach" to Morrissey, the night's headliner, and says she considers it his song because he covers it so beautifully.
Smith's set also includes a powerful cover of Bob Dylan's 'One Too Many Mornings,' as well as a tribute to her late husband Fred "Sonic" Smith on her Bruce Springsteen collaboration (and most famous song) 'Because the Night,' and a raucous rendition of Them's 'Gloria,' which she made her own several decades ago on her 'Horses' album.
Alkaline Trio, an odd choice to play between Smith and Morrissey, also performs on Thursday and impresses the crowd with their efficient, pop-punk energy. Moz plays an excellent concert and avoids controversy, which is unusual for the former Smiths vocalist.
riot festival
The rest of the weekend, which is wonderful weather-wise, mostly follows expectations with only a few exceptions. Living Colour defied critics who labelled them as a one-hit wonder with a brilliant guitarist by providing a short set worthy of their 40 years, keeping their aforementioned songs, 1988's 'Cult of Personality,' until last on Friday, the first full day of the festival.
Sublime with Rome put on a strong performance, paying tribute to their late leader Bradley Nowell with a video montage while performing 'What I Got.' Fishbone, who take the stage just before Living Color, perform their whole 1991 album 'The Reality of My Surroundings' - and do so brilliantly.
Smashing Pumpkins are the big draw on Friday, with a two-hour headlining show that includes songs from their first two albums, 'Gish' and 'Siamese Dream.' Meg Myers, an American singer-songwriter, had to restart a couple of songs and had to cut her show short on Friday.
The Bollweevils, a long-running Chicago punk band, play the Rebel Stage on Saturday, but should have played in front of a larger crowd based on the crowd's passion. The band, led by emergency room doctor Daryl Wilson, who praises the audience for helping to end the pandemic, performs a set that sees many people sing along, with a hardcore sect kicking up dirt while moshing in front; the true measure of happiness.
chicago riot fest 2021
Rise Against, whose lead singer Tim McIlrath dedicates the band's set to Mike Patton; Riot Fest favourites Gogol Bordello, who deliver a high-energy mix of Eastern European, folk, and traditional punk rock; and headliners Run the Jewels, who have only played three shows in the last three years but crush a politicised set that is not only timely, but also rocks
On the final day, Slipknot headlines, filling in for Nine Inch Nails, in front of a crowd that appears to be half loyal fans, many of whom wear replica masks to the band, and the other half newcomers – a number confirmed when lead singer Corey Taylor asks those who are seeing the band for the first time to raise their hands. Their set is tight, and they've undoubtedly earned the trust of some newcomers.
Machine Gun Kelly, a pop-punk rap fiend, is also performing on Sunday, and he appears to attack Slipknot's Corey Taylor for "being 50 years old wearing a fucking strange mask." A tired-sounding Flaming Lips almost lulls the audience to sleep; Devo, a seminal outfit, seems to attract more curiosity-seekers than fans; '90s rap metallers Body Count tear shit up and prove that they were always ahead of their time; and seminal Anthrax prove that calling on seasoned professionals is the best course when you need a last-minute fill-in.
Riot Fest organisers deserve credit for putting up a great event at an unusual time. The original Misfits and My Chemical Romance have already been booked for next year, so it should be intriguing and hopefully more set in stone. It remains to be seen if that lineup will continue in place.
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