I’ve said this many times, but allow me to say this again… when it comes to music festivals, there is currently only one that maintains my loyalty: Chicago’s RIOT FEST. While there’s many festival offerings here in Illinois and beyond, RIOT FEST is the one that folks should be paying attention to – a festival that’s grown from a days-long event scattered through multiple venues in Chicago, into the three-day behemoth known as the RIOT FEST & CARNIVAL. But there’s also Denver, too – with the RIOT FEST & RODEO, and for 2016 the first wave of announcements is absolutely stellar… and this is just the first wave! Check out the announcements below, along with some official “Rock Father Picks” on what I’ll most be looking forward to seeing this year…
Official Announcement: On the heels of last week’s Original Misfits reunion announcement, Riot Fest has unveiled the first wave of 2016 artists for Riot Fest & Rodeo (Sept. 2-4, Denver, CO) and Riot Fest & Carnival (Sept, 16-18, Chicago, IL).
Known for its diverse booking, Riot Fest has continued their tradition of being left of the dial and programming both festivals in a fashion that defies the homogeneity seen between many festivals. In addition to the music programming, the festival often has quirky, original attractions. Over the years Riot Fest has had Lucha Libre (Mexican Wrestling), Freak Shows, a Butter Sculpturist, and a snowball fight, as well as staging a full carnival with games and rides.
Some of the highlights in each market include:
Riot Fest & Rodeo (Denver): The Original Misfits, Ween, Death Cab For Cutie, Jane’s Addiction (performing Ritual De Lo Habitual), Sleater-Kinney, NAS, Deftones, Descendents, Wolf Parade, Yo La Tengo, Flatbush Zombies, Fitz and the Tantrums, Meat Puppets, The Dandy Warhols, Motion City Soundtrack & more
Riot Fest & Carnival (Chicago): The Original Misfits, Morrissey, Ween, Death Cab For Cutie, Social Distortion (performing White Light, White Heat, White Trash), Rob Zombie (performing White Zombie’sAstro-Creep: 2000), Brand New, NAS, Deftones, The Specials, Jimmy Eat World, Refused, Death Grips, Bob Mould, The Hives, Descendents & more.
Outside of several reunions, including The Original Misfits (Chicago and Denver), Thursday (Chicago and Denver), Set Your Goals(Chicago and Denver), Wolf Parade (Denver), The Anniversary (Chicago) and a rare appearance by Girls Against Boys (Chicago), several bands and artists will be performing their quintessential albums during Riot Fest 2016. Most notably, Social Distortion will be exclusively performing White Light, White Heat, White Trash on the exact date of the album’s initial release (Sept. 17, 1996) for a special 20th Anniversary performance in Chicago. Moreover, Jane’s Addiction will perform Ritual De Lo Habitual in its entirety in Denver, while Rob Zombie’s first Riot Fest appearance will include an unexpected and exclusive album play of White Zombie’s Astro-Creep: 2000. The Hold Steady will also play(Boys and Girls in America).
The second wave of lineup announcements will go out in the coming weeks, and according to organizers, a few more surprises are in store.
DENVER BANDS (Rock Father Picks in BOLD)
The Original Misfits (Featuring Glenn Danzig, Jerry Only and Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein), Ween, Death Cab For Cutie, Jane’s Addiction, Sleater-Kinney, NAS, Deftones, Fitz & The Tantrums, Descendents, NOFX, Underoath, Bad Religion, Thursday, Tyler, the Creator, Pepper, Jake Bugg, Motion City Soundtrack, Wolf Parade, The Hold Steady, Yo La Tengo, Sleigh Bells, Chevy Metal, The Dandy Warhols, Vince Staples, Suicidal Tendencies, Flatbush Zombies, Hatebreed, Lagwagon, The Aquabats, Glassjaw, The Wonder Years, Me First & The Gimme Gimmes, Danny Brown, Against Me!, Meat Puppets, Leftöver Crack, Dan Deacon, Murder By Death, Rogue Wave, Converge, Billy Talent, Fucked Up, Lewis Del Mar, Set Your Goals, Juliette Lewis & The Licks,Touché Amoré, Frnkiero andthe Cellabration, Pouya, White Lung, Plague Vendor, People Under the Stairs, Fat Nick and Don Krez, Violent Soho, Judith Hill, Tigers Jaw, Bleached, Diarrhea Planet, Planes Mistaken For Stars, Dee-1, Kirk Knight, Somos, Turnover, Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas, Bryce Vine, 3Teeth, Night Riots, Syd Arthur, Jule Vera, Microwave, Death Spells, Diet Cig, Donna Missal, High Waisted, Culture Abuse, ….MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED. And Featuring Hellzapoppin Circus Sideshow Revue
CHICAGO BANDS (Rock Father Picks in BOLD)
The Original Misfits (Featuring Glenn Danzig, Jerry Only and Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein), Morrissey, Ween, Death Cab For Cutie, Rob Zombie, Social Distortion, Brand New, NAS, The Specials, Deftones, Fitz & The Tantrums, Jimmy Eat World, Descendents, Refused, NOFX, Bad Religion, Pierce The Veil, All Time Low, Underoath, Motion City Soundtrack, Thursday, Jake Bugg, The Hives, Death Grips, Chevy Metal, Bob Mould, The Hold Steady, Glassjaw, Me First and The Gimme Gimmes, Pepper, Tiger Army, Meat Puppets, GZA,The Wonder Years, Method Man & Redman, Dan Deacon, Dee Snider, Andrew W.K., Joey Bada$$, GWAR, Leftöver Crack, Billy Talent, The Anniversary, Neck Deep, Highly Suspect, Smoking Popes, Fucked Up, The Vandals, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Girls Against Boys, Fu Manchu, The Falcon, I The Mighty, The Toasters, Set Your Goals, Juliette Lewis & The Licks, FrnkIero andthe Cellabration, Tigers Jaw, Basement, Citizen, Swingin’ Utters, Big D & The Kids Table, Diarrhea Planet, Pouya, Touché Amoré, Hippo Campus, Balance & Composure, People Under the Stairs, White Lung, Denzel Curry, Jessica Hernandez & The Deltas, Turnover, Violent Soho, Dee-1, Bleached, Brick + Mortar, Night Riots, Plague Vendor, Off With Their Heads, Laura Stevenson, Somos, Tancred, Microwave, Deal’s Gone Bad, Death Spells, 3Teeth, Black Foxxes, The Wans, Creeper, The Walters, Jule Vera, Marina City, Worriers, Nots, Big Ups, All Dogs, The Dirty Nil, Eskimeuax, War On Women, Hard Girls, A Will Away, Can’t Swim, With Our Arms To The Sun, Donna Missal, Bad Cop / Bad Cop, Tasha the Amazon, Blackbox, High Waisted, Partner, Sleepy Kitty, School of Rock, More To Be Announced… And Featuring Hellzapoppin Circus Sideshow Revue
