Benjamin Franklin said nothing in this world is certain except for war, death, and taxes. If he were around today, there’s no question he might consider adding Riot Fest to that list of definitive certainties.

Once again, Chicago held its very own Riot Fest – one of music’s most renowned Punk music festivals – in Douglass Park. Despite original plans to move the festival to the suburbs in Bridgeview, a month before the fest was to take place it was announced that Riot Fest would once again be held in Douglass Park as usual.

This year’s Riot Fest saw an incredibly hard-hitting and diverse lineup, featuring a variety of artists both big and small ranging across an array of genres – everything from emo rock to classic punk to hardcore to heavy metal. This year’s daily sets were nothing short of powerful and groundbreaking. Despite the heat that raged the first two days of the fest (and the rain that soaked the final day), this didn’t put a stopper on fans raiding the grounds of Douglass Park. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, and hell hath no fury like a metalhead who remembered to bring sunscreen.

Friday afternoon was first broken in by Australian-based artist Zheani, who brought a divinely feral rage to the stage. Bringing forward a music genre that she describes as “fairy trap,” Zheani combines both Techno and Hardcore elements to deliver a product that is an insanely primal form of Hyper-Pop.

 

As she tore through her hit song “Melt Away,” she told the crowd that she had no prior sound check and was therefore delivering a completely raw vocal version of the song. Despite being “naked, exposed, and fucking angry,” as she put it, the hyped fans in the crowd paid no mind to this technical issue, as Zheani’s unforgettable performance was still the perfect setup for the remaining three days of the festival. Not bad for the singer’s very first festival performance. Through her vocal prowess and unwavering stage presence, Zheani shows that, ultimately, suffering can be sensual and empowering.

“You know why I’m not afraid to sing to you on a raw fucking mic?” she asked the audience. “Because fear is the mind-killer.”

Emo rock outfit Winona Fighter tore through their set on the Cabaret Metro stage to a considerably large audience, delivering an energetic and positive onstage presence. Packing fun energy with an emo bite, frontwoman Chloe Kinnon was filled with emotion and unapologetic rage as she played guitar, sang, briefly hopped on the drums, and played against the barricade to amped-up fans. While introducing her band, it was evident that Kinnon was emotional as she thanked the crowd for attending their set. The Nashville-based outfit played through several of their most renowned hits, including “I’M IN THE MARKET TO PLEASE NO ONE” and “You Look Like A Drunk Phoebe Bridgers.”

Before beginning the former, Kinnon told the audience, “This is not a song about hating men, this is a song about my hatred of men who fucking lay their hands on women. There is no room for that in this scene. So if you wanna fuck around then you better be ready to find out bitch.”

Hard rock trio The Warning, currently on their Keep Me Fed North American Tour, brought their charming edge and intricate metal musicality to the Metro stage, performing a number of hits from their most recent record Keep Me Fed, released earlier this summer via Lava Records and Republic Records. Opening with “S!CK,” Daniela brought forward an unbridled energy with her unwavering, powerhouse vocals. Every Villareal sister – Daniela, Alejandra, and Paulina – sounded exceptional on their instruments, slamming through tracks such as “Six Feet Deep,” “CHOKE” and “Hell You Call A Dream.”

The Warning, despite their cautionary name, leaves no room to prepare as they take listeners on a wave through crunchy riffage and melodic prowess. With a certain magnetism that draws you in, The Warning delivers a live show that is both entertaining and freeing. Their hit song “Automatic Sun,” off their recent album, is a punchy and addicting anthem that seeps into your veins. As a closer, The Warning gave an epic finale as they closed with their song “Evolve.”

Utah-based alt-pop group The Aces delivered a refreshing artistry at a festival that leaned heavy towards the, well, heavy, this year. With a new wave pop musicality, The Aces write music perfect for driving down lost highways and under city skylines. Bringing a Disco-infused Sapphic energy to Riot Fest, The Aces lead singer Cristal Ramirez told their audience that, “Chicago’s one of our favorite places to play in. Thank you so much for sticking with us in the sun.”

Through the intense, unwavering heat, The Aces brought an equally unbridled energy, playing an array of their signature songs as well as their new single “The Magic.” At the time of their Riot Fest set, the single was not yet released, but they did say it’s all about feeling sexy.

 

After the harmonious, infectious pop melodies of The Aces, the headbanging and the skull crushing were back on schedule as thrash crossover icons Suicidal Tendencies took to the stage. Renowned for their high-energy rage and infectious brutality, frontman Mike Muir delivered a number of personal anecdotes throughout their set. “You end up where they want you to be and you’re gonna live a miserable fucking life,” being one of them.

Praised for their familiar sense of rebellion and nonconformity, Suicidal Tendencies played several fan favorites including “I Shot Reagan,” “Cyco Vision” and “Send Me Your Money” (no “Institutionalized,” sorry).

Always known for their hard-hitting, neverending energy, moshing and shredding throughout their shows, Suicidal Tendencies must be praised for providing an iconic set for Riot Fest and for expressing music that, as Muir said, is “for skateboarders and people who refuse to skate through life.”

 

 

Legendary Punk Rock group The Offspring played an unforgettable and inimitable set at this years fest, as they played through their hit 1994 album Smash in all of its entirety. Throughout their set, they would often take short breaks from playing to display old news and interview footage of the band from when Smash was first released. The Offspring played through the entire album in order, with one change. They ended the album with the song “Self Esteem,” as the track is known for being a common closing number for the band.

“‘Smash’ was a very special record and I’m glad you all got to see it tonight,” said frontman Dexter Holland.

For the band’s encore, they played “You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid,” “Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)” and “The Kids Aren’t Alright,” respectively, delivering a perfect Offspring show for some. Equal parts nostalgic and inspiring, The Offspring gave Riot Fest attendees, and unforgettable show.

To close night one of Riot Fest, there may have been no other band to do the job if not Chicago natives (and Riot Fest alumn) Fall Out Boy. Opening with (you guessed it) “Chicago Is So Two Years Ago,” the renowned rock outfit played a number of songs from each of their most iconic albums both new and old, seeming to perform the quintessential Fall Out Boy show for both seasoned and casual fans.

After opening up the set, frontman Patrick Stump addressed the crowd, admitting, “I got a little emotional just now, that’s incredible…We’re Fall Out Boy. It feels good to be home.”

After playing through highlight tracks from their 2007 album Infinity on High, bassist Pete Wentz told the crowd that Riot Fest is similar to the city of Chicago in regards to diversity. Similar to how Riot Fest ensures you can see Cypress Hill and Slayer in a single weekend, a Chicago hardcore show will give you a hardcore punk group and a ska band in a single night.

“This is the only fucking city we could have come from,” Wentz laughed, right before the group played “Thnks fr th Mmrs.”

The band, being the Chicago natives that they are, continued to play Fall Out Boy songs from every album, while also sneaking in a Chicago fan favorite.

“It’s a cheesy touristy thing,” Stump told the crowd, “but everyone from Cicero to Wisconsin knows how this one’s done.”

No sooner after, Stump played “Sweet Home Chicago” on the piano, capturing the quintessential, indescribable feeling that all Riot Fest goers feel at one point throughout their journey of the fest.

 

Part 2 coming soon 

 

WORDS BY JUSTICE PETERSEN
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PHOTOS BY RANDAL HICKS
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