Riot Fest kicks off in Chicago on Sept. 13, 2019
In honor of its 15th anniversary, Riot Fest hosted a top tier lineup featuring rarity acts, legends, newcomers and festival favorites in Chicago’s Douglas Park on Sept. 13-15. A few bands said their final farewell to Chicago while others performed for the first time in decades giving fans ample opportunities to experience musical history in the making. From once-in-a-lifetime full album plays to understated wisdom through poetry, here’s a look at the 11 best things we saw at Riot Fest 2019.
The Power of Patti’s Words
Patti Smith performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 15, 2019
While some acts thrive in the midst of a spectacle, Patti Smith utterly captivated the Riot Fest crowd on Sunday evening using the power of words. Hits like “Because the Night” and “Gloria” inspired audience interaction, but Smith was at her best when she re-imagined Midnight Oil’s “Beds Are Burning.” From the mouth of the Godmother of Punk, the 1987 hit sounded like it had been written today as Smith’s emotional openness commanded attention with each and every word.
‘Roots Radical’ on the Radicals Stage
Rancid performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 13, 2019
One of the toughest Riot Fest scheduling conflicts came on Friday night at 7:40 p.m. as Rancid faced off against the psychedelic majesty of The Flaming Lips. Fans looking for no-nonsense punk rock found exactly that in Rancid’s Radicals Stage set which began with the …And out Come the Wolves single “Roots Radicals.” Tim Armstrong, Lars Frederiksen, Matt Freeman and Branden Steineckert proceeded to blow minds with their fast fingers and infectious – and perfectly gnarly – melodies.
‘Black Me Out’ Singalong with Against Me!
Against Me! performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 15, 2019
“This is a once in a lifetime thing, playing these two records together,” said Against Me! frontwoman Laura Jane Grace during the group’s set which included back-to-back performances of Reinventing Axl Rose and Transgender Dysphoria Blues.
Both albums have tracklists that practically beg to be sung at the top of your lungs from deep inside a packed crowd, but it was Transgender Dysphoria Blues’ closing song “Black Me Out” that created one of the best moments of the fest. The cathartic lyrics – which read as angry on paper but transform into joyful rebellion in the live setting – were emphasized by crowd members throwing various items of muddied clothing into the air.
Ween’s ‘Mollusk’ Music
Ween performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 15, 2019
Aaron Freeman and Mickey Melchiondo – AKA Gene and Dean Ween – seemed to be having as much fun as the crowd was during Ween’s Sunday night set on the Radicals Stage. The group transformed Douglas Park into a waterfront wonderland with a full album play of the 1997 release The Mollusk. Never ones to be traditionalists Gene and Dean book-ended their Mollusk music with a variety of tunes including “Big Jilm,” “Transdermal Celebration,” and “Roses Are Free.”
No Bad Boys Allowed at Bikini Kill
Bikini Kill performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 15, 2019
Earlier in the weekend, The Riot Stage was occupied by big, burly dudes waiting to hear Slayer perform their final Chicago area concert (more on that later), but the Sunday scene was much more feminine. Riot Grrrls of all ages lined-up across the rail to witness Bikini Kill take the stage in Chicago for the first time in over 20 years. Frontwoman Kathleen Hanna often took time out to speak about gender inequality, social issues and the power of creativity. Chants of “girls to the front” could be heard during the set and Hanna encouraged cisgendered men to make more room for the ladies in the audience.
Wu-Tang’s ’36 Chambers’ Surprise
Wu-Tang Clan performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 14, 2019
Die Antwoord was removed from the Riot Fest 2019 lineup after a video showed the group making homophobic slurs. Festival organizers remedied the situation by booking a huge upgrade in Riot Fest regulars the Wu-Tang Clan. Following a fiery rendition of “Bring Da Ruckus,” RZA made the surprise announcement that the hip-hop legends would be performing their debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) in its entirety and that the late-Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s son, Young Dirty Bastard, would be filling in on his father’s verses. Naturally, the crowd went wild and Wu-Tang proceeded to host an unforgettable party.
Double Dose of Scott Ian
The Damned Things perform at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 14, 2019
It’s always a pleasure to witness Scott Ian’s tornadic riffs in action and Riot Fest gave fans not one, but two opportunities to see the legendary guitarist in action. On Saturday afternoon he joined Keith Buckley, Joe Trohman, Andy Hurley and Dan Andriano on the intimate Rebel Stage for a performance with the supergroup The Damned Things. Later that same day, he performed to a sea of metalheads on the Riot Stage during Anthrax’s highly-anticipated Riot Fest return.
Less Than Jake Gives More Than Most
Less Than Jake performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 15, 2019
Every Less Than Jake show is the best Less Than Jake show. The Gainesville punks treated their Sunday afternoon Rise Stage set as an athletic event. Fans gave just as much as the band by crowd-surfing and singing along with such hits as “Johnny Quest Thinks We’re Sellouts” and “All My Best Friends Are Metalheads.”
Friendly Fans
Fans watch as Ween performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 15, 2019
Speaking of the fans, Riot Fest has the best of them. Crowds are polite, enthusiastic and dedicated to making the weekend the best it can be. It’s commonplace to strike up a conversation with a stranger based on a t-shirt or a tattoo and many friendships are born on the front rail.
Punk Rock & Paintbrushes
Musicians showcase their art at the Punk Rock & Paintbrushes exhibit during Riot Fest
Several of the musicians who played Riot Fest 2019 showcased their visual art at Deep Eddy Vodka’s Punk Rock & Paintbrushes exhibit. Matt Skiba – who performed with Blink-182 on Friday night – and Save Ferris’ Monique Powell were among the acts featured in the gallery. One-of-a-kind Vans shoes designed by Riot Fest acts – including Ween, Against Me! and Rancid – were also on display and auctioned off to raise money for charity.
Slayer’s Ferocious Farewell
Slayer performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 14, 2019
All good things must come to an end and that includes the sonic wrath of Slayer. Tom Araya, Kerry King, Paul Bostaph and Gary Holt advertised their Riot Fest headlining performance as the group’s final show in Chicago and Milwaukee. Flames engulfed the stage as Slayer thrashed through deep cuts and fan favorites like “Angel of Death” and “Raining Blood.”
Check out our daily recaps – and photo galleries – from Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Riot Fest 2019 and head over to Riotfest.org for more information about Riot Fest’s 15th anniversary party.
(Photos by Laurie Fanelli)