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
