It is hot in Chicago. When I think about a festival in September, I think sweater weather and dress as such. As I walk from my car I realize this was not wise. It feels like we’re in the middle of the summer, and the crowds I see around the stages reflect this too. It’s shaping up to be a hot and sweaty Riot Fest this year.
I’m eager to see Foxy Shazam. I’ve heard they are very energetic, and this is the perfect way to start a festival weekend. Frontman Eric Nally and pianist Sky White steal the show with their stage presence, really commanding the crowd and connecting with anyone they make eye contact with.
I bounce over to catch Wargasm, an electronic rock duo from London. They recently toured the United States with the popular nu metal band Limp Bizkit, and you can see that the London duo took influence from the heavy hitters with their live performance which was entertaining from start to finish.
It’s nice to see Riot Fest veterans The Descendents and Taking Back Sunday on this year’s roster. Their sets are back to back and their stages are side to side, which makes it much easier for the shared crowd to catch both acts.
Portugal. The Man takes a moment at the start of their set to bring up members of a tribe local to the area, which has become a tradition they have incorporated into all of their live shows to honor the Indigineous peoples land they are performing on, using their platform to pass the mic. The three members of the tribe perform a song and teach the crowd a few phrases before the band jumps right into the music. It was a heartwarming moment that is going straight to the top of my fondest music festival memories.
I’m sad to leave Portugal. The Man a little early, but I’m pumped to see Bleachers. The New Jersey rockers have the stage set up to look like a street, complete with a street light that Jack Antonoff frequently walks under throughout their set. The crowd is screaming the lyrics back to the band, showing their passion for the music the best way they know how.
Antonoff mentions how excited they are to be playing Riot Fest, saying how awesome it is to be playing at the same time as Alkaline Trio and being on a roster full of so many bands that they actively listen to. I spot Taking Back Sunday frontman Adam Lazarra watching the entire set. The camaraderie of this festival is so wonderful to take part in every year.
BLEACHERS
DESCENDENTS
FOXY SHAZAM
PORTUGAL. THE MAN
TAKING BACK SUNDAY
WARGASM
