Now that there’s been a few days rest from the blistering sun, strong rains, mosh pits, and generally intense music, it’s time to get a good look at the beautiful chaos that was Riot Fest 2024. Riot Fest certainly had a tumultuous time leading up to the inevitable three days of punk, rock, hip-hop, and subgenres of subgenres. Riot Fest announced its return to what’s been its home since 2015. And what a home it is as Douglass Park is the perfect location for the festival due to its size and accessibility.
While big swaths of people were clamoring for the main stage run of Sum 41, The Offspring, and Fall Out Boy, I was more focused on the one two punch of Public Enemy and Cypress Hill. Hip Hop is always welcome at Riot Fest and having these behemoths of the genre back to back was invigorating. Don’t get me wrong, I still was weaseling my way up to catch the main stage artists — particularly, Sum 41 and Fall Out Boy.
Backed by an elaborate stage setup and a staggering amount of pyrotechnics, Fall Out Boy brought a hometown spectacle. Moving chronologically through their catalog, they played a few standout tracks from each album — complete with matching stage aesthetics — before circling back for some deeper cuts at the end. Their “eras” concept largely resonated with their massive local crowd, as many are truly OG fans. In true fashion, the show ended with Pete Wentz floating into the air holding a balloon with confetti blasting into the sky. The grand finale of fireworks felt like a natural evolution of two decades’ worth of emo anthems.
Day two of Riot Fest dealt a shift in aesthetic, if you will. While the traditional feel of Riot Fest was alive and well with punk attitudes from Buzzcocks, NOFX, Descendents, The Dead Milkmen and Lagwagon. Indie rock also held a prominent weight on the second day with the likes of The Hives, St. Vincent, Beck, Manchester Orchestra, Beach Bunny and more.
Princess Goes was one of the most underrated, yet highly anticipated bands on the lineup for Saturday. Fronted by Michael C. Hall (from HBO’s Dexter), this indie-alt-rock group delivered some seriously dreamy melodies while taking some of the crowd by surprise upon their discovery that their favorite fictional serial killer character had now graduated to light and airy lead singer role.
L.S. Dunes, The Hives and Manchester Orchestra all brought the energy we were waiting for as the night went on. Respectively, each band had their own feel, but delivered powerful performances highlighting their own fan-favorites on jam-packed setlists. The Hives were the most crowd-interactive that we saw all day, jumping to the front barricade and singing along with their biggest front-row fans.
Day three, despite the rain — was a power punch of heavy metal and rock from all realms with the most notable being Rob Zombie, Lamb of God and Slayer. We also were graced with a live wedding ceremony during pop-punk-emo legends Something Corporate’s set. We couldn’t leave out the utmost chill vibes from Sublime, who is now fronted by their late singer’s son, Jakob — and absolutely owning it. Classics like “Santeria,” “What I Got,” and “Wrong Way” had the crowd singing every word, arms swaying and drinks in hand. The energy was laid-back but electric, with fans embracing the feel-good chaos that’s always defined Sublime. For longtime followers and new generations alike, it was a fitting, full-circle moment on a perfect Chicago evening.
GALLERY: Riot Fest 2024 in Chicago, Illinois (September 20-22, 2024)
