Annual Punk Music Festival: Riot Fest Chicago Lineup Announced

By Yvonne

Ever feel like there are always so many reasons why a music festival you're excited about turns out to be a letdown? Things like sky-high ticket prices or lineups that seem repetitive — so why even bother? But Riot Fest? Totally worth it.

▲Scene from the 2013 Chicago punk music festival — Riot Fest. (Photo / Screenshot fromthe Riot Fest fan page)

Riot Fest, held in Toronto, Chicago, and Denver, revealed its most comprehensive and star-studded lineup on Tuesday, May 13th evening. The lineup includes legendary punk rock bands such as The Cure, The National, Weezer, Social Distortion, The Flaming Lips, Slayer, and Wu-Tang Clan, all performing in Chicago and Denver. Punk fans, don’t miss out.

%Image of the punk music festival Riot Fest (Photo / Screenshot fromthe Riot Fest fan page)

Riot Fest is an annual music festival that began in 2005, blending punk, rock, and alternative rock. Its ever-changing lineup features unexpected local bands, surprise guests, and hugely popular mainstream punk acts. The festival takes place in Chicago, Denver, and Toronto.

Additional performers at the Chicago festival (September 12–14) include Jane’s Addiction, The Offspring, Patti Smith, Samhain, Metric, Tegan and Sara, Superchunk, and more. Members of the Russian feminist punk band Pussy Riot — Nadya Tolokonnikova and Masha Alekhina — will also take part in a “special interactive discussion,” engaging directly with punk fans. The Chicago festival will be held at Humboldt Park.

%Not a punk fan? That’s no reason not to enjoy the energy of a music festival. (Link: Visit the officialriotfest website)

The Denver festival (September 19–21) will feature performances by Primus, TV on the Radio, Violent Femmes, Bob Mould, Dum Dum Girls, and Glassjaw, taking place at May Farms in Colorado.

The Toronto festival (September 6–7) lineup includes Death Cab for Cutie, Brand New, Dropkick Murphys, The New Pornographers, Alkaline Trio, and many other bands, set to take place at Downsview Park in Toronto.