The Cure performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
The third and final day of Riot Fest, held at Chicago’s Douglass Park on Sept. 17, was bittersweet. Bitter because this year’s festivities would soon be over, but sweet because festival organizers saved some of the best sets for last.
The Cure, who has been doing everything right – on stage and off by insisting on fair ticket prices for fans – throughout their 2023 North American Tour, closed things out with an epic two-plus hour set on the Riot Stage. Robert Smith and company shared something for everybody with a setlist full of deep cuts and hits.
Thursday performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
Earlier in the day – after the weather caused a delay that prevented Smoking Popes, Just Mustard and others from performing – Thursday kicked things off at 2 p.m. just as the gates opened. Geoff Rickly and company began with the perfect song choice – “Running From the Rain” – as fans rushed over to the Radical Stage. The vibes were joyful as Thursday was able to share “Signals Over the Air” – another song with a lyrical nod to the rain – “Cross Out the Eyes,” “Understanding in a Car Crash” and more into their short set.
Riot Fest favorites Flogging Molly brought their Celtic punk sounds to the Rise Stage in the early evening and a highly-anticipated set from The Dresden Dolls, Amanda Palmer and Brian Viglione, did not disappoint. The supergroup L.S. Dunes – comprised of Anthony Green (Circa Survive) Frank Iero (My Chemical Romance), Travis Stever (Coheed and Cambria), Tim Payne (Thursday) and Tucker Rule (Thursday) – also put on one of the best performances of the day while celebrating the one year anniversary of their very first show.
L.S. Dunes perform at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
Other Sunday highlights include AFI, Cults and The Bronx.
Check out photos from Riot Fest Sunday below and head over to RiotFest.org for more information about the event. Click here to see our Riot Fest Friday gallery and click here to see our Riot Fest Saturday photos.
(Photos by Laurie Fanelli)
The Cure performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
The Cure performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
The Cure performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
The Cure performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
The Cure performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
The Cure performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
The Cure performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
The Cure performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
The Dresden Dolls perform at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
The Dresden Dolls perform at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
Fans enjoy Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
Thursday performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
Thursday performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
Thursday performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
Thursday performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
Thursday performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
Thursday performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
Cults perform at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
Cults perform at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
The Bronx performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
The Bronx performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
Fans enjoy Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
L.S. Dunes perform at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
L.S. Dunes perform at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
L.S. Dunes perform at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
L.S. Dunes perform at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
AFI performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
AFI performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
Flogging Molly performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
Fans enjoy Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
Flogging Molly performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
Fans enjoy Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
Flogging Molly performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
Fans enjoy Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
The Black Angels perform at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
The Black Angels perform at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023.
