Photos: My Chemical Romance, Bleachers & more kick-off Riot Fest 2022

My Chemical Romance performs at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 16, 2022.

Back in 2019, My Chemical Romance announced that they were getting the band back together. Soon after, it was revealed that Gerard Way, Ray Toro, Mikey Way and Frank Iero would be taking the stage at Riot Fest 2020 as headliners… then the pandemic happened postponing what was to be the show of the century.

The long wait is finally over as My Chemical Romance kicked-off the first day of Riot Fest 2022 with an intense, emotional and triumphant headlining set. MCR started strong with epic renditions of “The Foundations of Decay” and “Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na).” They made sure fans stayed safe throughout the night by regularly stopping the show to ask everyone to step back to make more room for those on the rails.

Bleachers perform at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 16, 2022.

Bleachers delivered a headline-worthy set of their own and Jack Antanoff even shouted out the legendary Chicago bowling alley/venue, Fireside Bowl. The Wonder Years played to one of the biggest Radicals Stage crowds earlier in the evening and they came armed with the good news that new music is on the way.

“Chicago we’re a band called The Wonder Years from a city called Philadelphia and it feels so f*cking good to say what I’m about to say which is one week from today, finally, finally, finally our new record The Hum Goes on Forever comes out,” said vocalist Dan ‘Soupy’ Campbell to a sea of cheers. “We have been waiting a long, long time and we are so f*cking excited for you to hear it.”

The Wonder Years perform at Riot Fest in Chicago on Sept. 16, 2022.

Portugal. The Man, Taking Back Sunday, Pale Waves, Descendents and many more acts added to the fun. Check out photos from the first day of Riot Fest 2022 below and visit Riotfest.org for more information about the remaining two days of the fest.

(Photos by Laurie Fanelli)