Riot Fest in Chicago on Sep. 16, 2021.
Riot Fest 2021 kicked-off on Thursday, Sept. 16, with a Preview Party headlined by The Smiths legend, Morrissey. Before Moz could close out the event, five other artists – Alkaline Trio, Patti Smith & Her Band, Joyce Manor, WDRL and Kristeen Young – performed conflict-free sets on two of the event’s five stages. This set-up allowed fans to soak in the sights and sounds of Douglass Park in Chicago at a relaxed pace.
The first-ever Preview Party featured more than just music. Carnival rides were free and sideshow performers could be seen doing their thing across the grounds. There was also a Riot Fest Wedding Chapel – and yes, people did get married at Riot Fest – and the Riot Fest Twitter Person heckled festival-goers from his platform at the dunk tank throughout the day and night, that is when he wasn’t plunging into the cold water.
Alkaline Trio performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sep. 16, 2021.
For many punk fans, hometown heroes Alkaline Trio was the true headliner of the night as Matt Skiba – who was pretty sure that he was concussed due to an earlier incident with a tree branch – Dan Andriano and Derek Grant inspired crowd surfing from the opening riffs of “Private Eye,” the first song of their Roots Stage set.
“F*ck yeah, Chicago! You’re more beautiful than I remember,” Andriano said before the group plowed through “Blackbird.”
Joyce Manor performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sep. 16, 2021.
Earlier in the day, Kristeen Young opened the Roots Stage and Joyce Manor treated fans to a crowd-pleasing set that concluded with a cover of “Helena,” a nod to Riot Fest 2022 headliners My Chemical Romance who were previously booked to play in 2020 and then 2021 but the pandemic had other ideas.
Festival organizers, who have been plagued by Covid-caused lineup changes, instituted a number of extra safety measures this year. Fans had to show proof of full vaccination or a negative test before entering the grounds and masks were required in all indoor spaces and enclosed tents. There were also additional sanitation and hand-washing stations across the park.
Fans watch Patti Smith and Her Band perform at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sep. 16, 2021.
Masks were also encouraged for all patrons watching shows. Front row fans at the Riot Stage certainly followed this guidance some even taking advantage of the opportunity to show their love for Morrissey on their face-coverings. Patti Smith also took heed of this measure wearing her mask until the moment she took the stage with her band.
“Happy Mexican Independence Day,” she said before singing the Dream of Life song of strength, “People Have the Power.”
Patti Smith and Her Band perform at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sep. 16, 2021.
“This is our song, but since Morrissey sings it, I feel like we’re doing a Morrissey tribune,” said Smith before sharing “Redondo Beach.” Further highlights of her set included “Because the Night” – dedicated to her late-husband, Fred “Sonic” Smith, and a tender cover of Bob Dylan’s “One Too Many Mornings” that brought a tear to the eye.
WDRL performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sep. 16, 2021.
WDRL won over the crowd with their early-afternoon set as the band of sibling showcased their raw punk energy, with songs like “The Flies,” and their humor with a cover of the theme from the classic MTV animated series Daria.
The Riot Fest fun continues at Douglass Park through Sunday Sept. 19. Check out photos from the Preview Party below and head over to Riotfest.org for more information.
