Machine Gun Kelly performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sep. 19, 2021.
Riot Fest always curates a diverse line-up of acts from different genres and generations. Most times, it can be hard to tell which artists individual fans are most excited to see.
On Sunday, Sept. 19, Riot Fest attendees wore their hearts on their sleeves – and on their heads – with wardrobe choices inspired by a variety of performers. There were Slipknot t-shirts, Machine Gun Kelly bandanas, Flaming Lips-inspired costumes and lots and lots of Devo hats (AKA energy domes). Despite differing opinions on who is the best of the best, the grounds had an especially festive energy as everyone’s shared love of live music united the crowd and fueled the fun on the final day of the event.
Machine Gun Kelly performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sep. 19, 2021.
Machine Gun Kelly fans in the front row – many of whom waited for hours – got up close and personal with the rapper turned pop punk rocker, real name Colson Baker, as he hopped off the stage early in his Radical Stage headlining performance. Songs from Tickets to My Downfall dominated the set with “Kiss Kiss” and “Drunk Face” – which Baker sang from high atop the stage scaffolding – inspiring some of the loudest sing-alongs. Slipknot also performed a Riot Fest closing show though Baker seemed less than impressed with the metal icons’ mask-wearing schtick.
Thousands of Slipknot fans begged to differ. They also posted up on the front rail hours before Corey Taylor and company took the stage which led to an interesting audience dynamic during Devo’s Slipknot-proceeding set.
Devo performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sep. 19, 2021.
Devo clearly came with a mission to entertain everyone within earshot and they did not hold back on the hits. “Whip It,” “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” and “Smart Patrol/Mr. DNA” delighted the spuds scattered across Union Park. Multiple wardrobe changes, monkey masks and synchronized dancing added to the playful performance.
Before the Flaming Lips closed out the Roots Stage, singer Wayne Coyne addressed the crowd to explain that this show would be a bit different than usual as the Oklahoma outfit wanted to ensure they are doing everything possible to be safe in the wake of surging Covid numbers in their home state. With this in mind, Coyne performed either from within the confines of his physical bubble or outside of it while wearing a mask. The extra precautions established a worry-free setting so fans could dance the night away to songs like “Race for the Prize,” “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 1” and “Do You Realize??.”
The Flaming Lips perform at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sep. 19, 2021.
Arguably the set of the day belonged to Fever 333, the California trio comprised of vocalist Jason Aalon Butler, guitarist Stephen Harrison and drummer Aric Improta. The musicians jumped, thrashed and stomped their way through their late-afternoon show to deliver an unforgettable concert-going experience as well as a message about the importance of real life activism as opposed to posting popular hashtags and creating trending TikTok videos.
Fever 333 performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sep. 19, 2021.
Earlier in the day, K.Flay rocked the Riot Fest house – playing fan favorites like “Good Girl” and “FML” – and Ice-T and Body Count set the scene for a rowdy afternoon mosh pit. Over at the tree-lined Rebel Stage, Bleached, Melkbelly and Gymshorts also delivered stand-out sets.
Check out photos from the final day of Riot Fest below and click here to see our coverage from earlier in the weekend. Riot Fest 2022 is scheduled for Sept. 16 – Sept. 18 next year with The Misfits and My Chemical Romance already booked as headliners. More information can be found at Riotfest.org.
