If you thought the summer of music festivals was over, you'd be incorrect—this weekend, Riot Fest invades Chicago's Humboldt Park neighborhood, offering attendees a throng of bands to see, as well as carnival rides, games, and, weirdly enough, Lucha Libre wrestling.
The festival has grown significantly in years past—this year is the first time it's taken up an entire park. Last year, shows were put on at area venues, with secret shows only available to three-day-ticket holders. Now, it's got more of a Lollapalooza/Warped Tour feel to it, with several stages being set up over a large area, and of course, your favorite bands' sets overlapping.
This year's fest includes headliners like Rise Against, Iggy and the Stooges, The Offpsring, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, A Day to Remember, and Coheed and Cambria, as well as dozens of other acts, including Andrew W.K., The Gaslight Anthem, Minus the Bear, Alkaline Trio, Less Than Jake, The Promise Ring, Cursive, Teenage Bottlerocket, and more. It takes place over three days—Friday night's shows are held in a local venue, but the rest of the weekend takes place outdoors.
If you don't live in Chicago, you're not completely out of luck. Along with expanding its Midwest offering, the folks who coordinate Riot Fest also put on the festival in Brooklyn, Toronto, and Dallas. Toronto's was held on September 9, and Dallas' is scheduled for September 22. Brookyln's event was unfortunately rained out on September 8th, but promoters intend on honoring Brooklyn tickets at the Chicago dates—lucky for Brooklynites, as Chicago's festival has, by far, the biggest lineup of the four locations.
Two-day passes are still available for the shows, so act quick if you're planning on going!
photo from RiotFest.org.