Skip to content

Riot Fest Returns to Douglass Park in Chicago After Community Negotiations

After initially announcing a departure from the festival's staple location for years, Riot Fest will return to Douglass Park after talks and negotiations within the community.

After initially announcing a departure from the festival's staple location for years, Riot Fest will return to Douglass Park after talks and negotiations within the community.

It was announced a few months ago that Riot Fest would be leaving its longtime Chicago location for Bridgeview's SeatGeak Stadium. Founder Mike Petryshyn had stated previously that "Our exodus is solely because of the Chicago Park District. Their lack of care for the community, you (fans), and us, ultimately left us no choice. Several weeks ago, I had enough. I was tired of Riot Fest continually being the lowest hanging fruit. I was tired of playing their games. I was tired of watching something I love being continually used to deflect away from their own internal deficits. This prevented us from giving you the experience you deserve.”

Growing concerns and backlash concerning Riot Fest (and to a lesser extent, other festivals) had grown over the past decade; residents of the area complained of the traffic, noise and damage to the park, concerns regarding hospital availability in the neighborhood, and the closing off of the park to residents for weeks at a time for preparation.

Evidently, the conversations and concerns were addressed satisfactorily between the office of Chicago Mayer Brandon Johnson, Chicago Park District leadership, and Alderwoman Monique L. Scott, resulting in the return to Douglass Park. Alderwoman Scott has stated that a part of the negotations includes the promise to engage in more substantial partnerships and conversations between Riot Fest organizers, community leaders, and the Park District about substantial, long term partnerships to secure a more consistent future for the festival within the community.

In addition to the return of Riot Fest to Chicago, The Nu Metal Agenda have a contest for fans and readers to win two weekend passes by participating in various online interactions here. Tickets can also be purchased at the official Riot Fest website.

Headliners:

Fall Out Boy

Beck

Slayer

NOFX (performing three days)

Additional Performers:

The Marley Brothers

Pavement

The Offspring (performing Smash)

St. Vincent

Public Enemy

Bright Eyes

Rob Zombie

Sublime

Dr. Dog

Spoon

Manchester Orchestra (performing Cope)

Oliver Tree

Sum 41

Cypress Hill

Waxahatchee

New Found Glory

Something Corporate

Tierra Whack

Taking Back Sunday

Lamb of God (performing Ashes of the Wake)

Mastodon (performing Leviathan)

Hot Mulligan

Beach Bunny

The Hives

Suicidal Tendencies

L.S. Dunes

Basement

State Champs

Poison the Well

GWAR

Rival Sons

Beach Goons

Descendents

Circle Jerks

Pennywise

The Lawrence Arms

Face to Face

Buzzcocks

Laura Jane Grace with Catbite (Operation Ivy set)

Dillinger Four

Lagwagon

The Vandals

All

Strung Out

Dead Milkmen

D.O.A.

The Dickies

Codefendants

Cobra Skulls

Swingin' Utters

The Defiant

The Exploited

Urethane

Get Dead

Doomscroll

Polaris

Cursive

Sincere Engineer

Slaughter Beach, Dog

Sir Chloe

Loveless

The Warning

Tornillo

Souls of Mischief

The Aces

Brutus

Jack Kays

Princess Goes

The Armed

Gel

Drug Church

The Chisel

Sunami

Nekrogoblikon

Fiddlehead

Pixel Grip

Home Front

Saxsquatch

Sweet Pill

Heart Attack Man

Verboten

Zheani

Spiritual Cramp

Sprints

Winona Fighter

Jhariah

Lord of the Lost

Games We Play

The Mysterines

Liquid Mike

Action/Adventure

Huge Euge

A Very Reliable Source

Having a Moment

The Friends We Made Along the Way

Comments

Latest