With headliners including Beck, Fall Out Boy, and Slayer, Riot Fest – taking place at Chicago’s Douglass Park on Sept. 20-22 – is a must-attend event. St. Vincent, Sum 41, Waxahatchee, The Lawrence Arms, and NOFX, who will be performing a set each and every night on their eponymous stage in honor of the group’s upcoming retirement, only add to the fun.
The best thing about Riot Fest is the lineup is incredibly stacked from start to finish. Here’s a look at five artists you’ll want to catch soon after gates open at the three-day event.
Buzzcocks
It truly is a testament to the strength and depth of the Riot Fest 2024 lineup that the Buzzcocks are among the first handful of bands performing on Saturday, Sept. 21. They are playing the Cabaret Metro Stage – named for the beloved Clark Street venue – at 1:45 p.m. so make a plan to be there before Steve Diggle and company strike their first chord.
The Aces
On Friday, Sept. 20, The Aces are set to take the Cabaret Metro Stage where Fall Out Boy will headline later that night. These alternative rockers have made a name for themselves serving as support on tour with artists including Joywave, COIN, Goth Babe, and more, as well as headlining their own treks across the U.S. and beyond.
Princess Goes
You never know who you will see at Riot Fest. Last year, Corey Feldman – a captivating musician best known for his acting credits – generated headlines for his buzz-worthy set. This year, another actor is expected to do the same as Michael C. Hall (Dexter, Six Feet Under) will be appearing with his band Princess Goes. The art rockers are armed with material from their stellar sophomore album, Come of Age, so this 1:10 p.m. AAA Stage set on Saturday is expected to impress.
Sir Chloe
Sir Chloe is a relatively new artists by Riot Fest standards yet the indie rockers have already garnered a name for themselves with their critically acclaimed debut album, I Am the Dog, and opening up for Riot Fest headliner Beck when he toured alongside Phoenix in 2023. Make sure you are posted up at the AAA Stage on Sept. 21 to catch this must-see set.
The Hives
Whether you’ve never seen The Hives in concert or this is your 100th time experiencing Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist and company live, they are always the set of whatever fest they are playing. With frenetic music and unmatched performance prowess, this legendary Swedish group always leaves an impression. Don’t miss their 2:55 p.m. set on the Cabaret Metro Stage on Saturday.
Click here to pick-up tickets to Riot Fest 2024 and head over to RiotFest.org to see the full schedule.