Chicago – After months of speculation of whether or not Riot Fest would bring music to the punk rock, emo loving, not your cookie-cutter masses, thanks to a move from Humboldt Park to Douglas Park on the city’s South Side and a last-minute lawsuit, it seems we finally have the last festival of the summer on our hands. Although, September
Chicago – Sunday was the final day of Chicago’s 2014 Riot Fest. It was also the best day to see new bands over at the Revolt Stage. The shady green that housed the stage was packed all day long and filled with wild crowds. All five of my picks played this stage, giving my feet
Chicago – For me, day two of Riot Fest got off to a rocky start. Between sleeping through my alarm and getting stuck in traffic, I was starting to wonder if I’d ever find my way to Humboldt Park. I missed The Picturebooks and Wavves, and as I walked towards the gates of Riot Fest,
Chicago – For as much as Chicagoans want to hold onto summer, the first day of Riot Fest proved it is officially gone. Gloves, hats, and scarves were the accessory of the day in Humboldt Park, where rain fell all day and temps dropped to the 40s. However, Riot Fest’s tenth anniversary. We’ve ID’d four
Chicago – While others are ushering in the Fall with pumpkin spice lattes and already working at piecing together Halloween costumes, Chicagoans are refusing to let go of summer. At least for one more weekend, anyway. Beginning this Friday, September 12, Chicago’s Humboldt Park will host Riot Fest and three days of music, carnivals rides,
Walking to the Riot Fest grounds on the final day, I immediately noticed how many people were there early. Henry Clay People were playing to the welcoming crowd on the largest of the four stages, but the majority of the crowd was already gathered waiting for Imagine Dragons set. Coming onto the stage a few
Riot Fest drew 30,000 people, both young and old. Kicking off the festival was Dead Sara, a band I most likely wouldn’t have heard about if they hadn’t been on this bill. And boy, am I happy they were. Their set had even more energy than I anticipated, especially their hit song “Weatherman.” The crowd
Seven years after its beginnings in Chicago, Riot Fest has hit its stride. This year’s festival is taking over not only the Congress Theater, but also turning Humboldt Park into a full blown carnival, including multiple stages, Ferris Wheel, traditional rides and of course a wrestling ring for lucha libre battles. The real draw of