Wow. Just as I was going on about how I greatly dislike music festivals, the first wave of bands were announced for this year’s Riot Fest. For those that don’t know, Riot Fest was started in 2005 as a way to help put together a seemingly dream lineup of various punk bands. Since its initial launch, the festival has grown exponentially, not only moving the festivities from the Congress Theater to Humboldt Park, but also establishing shows across the country under the Riot Fest brand.
There’s music here for everybody, as Riot Fest’s growth has begun to include all facets of independent music. Some noted hip hop acts include DOOMTREE’s Dessa, Atmosphere, Public Enemy, and Saul Williams. However, the main focus is on punk/alternative/pop-punk bands. Some of my personal highlights are blink-182, Rancid, Against Me!, Toots and the Maytals, Mephiskapheles, Bad Brains, and amazing local Chicago bands The Lawrence Arms, Maps and Atlases, and a reuniting The Broadways. Maybe I’ll find some time to catch Brand New and Taking Back Sunday so I could sing along to the two songs I know from them.
Seriously, there’s something here for everybody; whether you can quote every song Brendan Kelly has ever written, got star tattoos during the early 200s, or go out in a full three-piece suit, Riot Fest 2013 is shaping up to be the best Chicago-based festival of the year. Go ahead and buy tickets for Riot Fest 2013 here.
