This year Chicago has had a powerhouse of concerts; OFF!’s farewell show, the Jigsaw Youth/Bob Vylan combo and Knocked Loose, just to name a few. Adding to the list is the absolutely magnetic combination of garage punkers Teen Mortgage and noise-dance-punk legends Death From Above 1979 at Chicago’s Metro. Teen Mortgage is the two-piece garage-punk […]
This year Chicago has had a powerhouse of concerts; OFF!’s farewell show, the Jigsaw Youth/Bob Vylan combo and Knocked Loose, just to name a few. Adding to the list is the absolutely magnetic combination of garage punkers Teen Mortgage and noise-dance-punk legends Death From Above 1979 at Chicago’s Metro.
Teen Mortgage is the two-piece garage-punk band from Washington, DC that is quickly rising the ranks through the punk scene with guitarist and vocalist James Guile and drummer Edward Barakauskas.
They also kept busy touring the UK with The Smashing Pumpkins and Weezer, played music festivals Louder Than Life, Aftershock and Levitation, and more recently played some US dates with another favorite band of mine, Destroy Boys. Teen Mortgage immediately jumped from the Destroy Boys tour to the You’re a Woman, I’m a Machine 20th anniversary tour with Death From Above 1979.
Both bands being two-piece acts, noisy, with tons of distortion and face paced riffs, the Teen Mortgage/DFA1979 combo is pure raw perfection.
While Teen Mortgage is finishing up some remaining Canada dates, next year they already have some big plans: playing Germany’s Rock am Ring, UK’s Download Festival, and a stop in Dublin with Weezer.
Hailing from Toronto, Canada, Death From Above 1979 is a unique combination of Jesse F. Keeler on bass and keyboards and Sebastien Grainger on drums and lead vocals. In 2004 they released their debut album You’re a Woman, I’m a Machine and have been touring extensively this year for its 20th anniversary.
The first time I saw DFA1979 I was in complete awe of the stage productions, particularly the lights, and this show was no different. Beams of different colored lights shot through heavy fog in different directions, perfectly choreographed to every song.
With their abrasive synth and piercing screams, DFA1979 is an exemplary example of what dance punk is meant to be.
This sold-out show at Metro was part of their USA/Canada Part II tour with Teen Mortgage; Part III will begin in 2025 with San Francisco punk band Spiritual Cramp (remember them at Riot Fest this year? We do!) followed by a stint in Australia with DZ Deathrays.
Kentucky-based hardcore band Knocked Loose has made quite the name for themselves this past year. On May 10th they released their critically acclaimed album You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To, earning praises from several top music outlets and critics. As part of their 18-date Fall North America tour, Knocked Loose stopped at Chicago’s Aragon […]
Kentucky-based hardcore band Knocked Loose has made quite the name for themselves this past year. On May 10th they released their critically acclaimed albumYou Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To, earning praises from several top music outlets and critics. As part of their 18-date Fall North America tour, Knocked Loose stopped at Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom on November 1st with support from DRAIN, Militarie Gun and Danny Brown. With a stacked bill like this you know you are about to get a wild show!
First up we got Militarie Gun! Militarie Gun is based out of Los Angeles, California and released their debut album, Life Under the Gun, on June 23, 2023 through Loma Vista Recordings.
Melodic, catchy and so much more, Militarie Gun rose to stardom soon after forming in 2020 through frontman Ian Shelton’s pure dedication and drive.
The Santa Cruz, California crossover thrash band DRAIN has an impressively intense show, but this should not be new news for Chicago; the band played at Riot Fest in 2023 and stirred up a bit of chaos. During their final song, “California Cursed”, frontman Sammy Ciaramitaro encouraged fans to jump the barricade to join the band on stage. Security understandably had an oh shit moment but did a great job to keep everyone safe. (Ciaramitaro did later apologize for the antics and meant no harm).
Clearly, DRAIN is not afraid to have fun with their fans and deliver an enthusiastically exciting performance.
This show was no different; DRAIN’s backdrop in huge letters stated, “DRAIN is not responsible for anything you do in the next 30 minutes.”
Ciaramitaro jumped into the crowd, engaging with fans and crowd surfing with them. DRAIN makes it impossible to NOT have a great time.
Next up was a unique addition to the line up- rapper Danny Brown performed for the hardcore fans, but for only five stops of the Knocked Loose tour.
The pairing worked fabulously, mixing genres at concerts definitely needs to be more of a thing!
To say I was blown away by Knocked Loose would be an understatement. They are certainly making the metalcore genre their own and becoming the best in the game. You would not expect the type of banshee-screaming vocals from frontman Bryan Garris when you see him, but he knocks it out of the park.
Much like DRAIN, Knocked Loose is also well known for their hectic and intense shows and Chicago was no different. Moshing, crowd-surfing, pure chaotic energy only begins to describe it. The Aragon Ballroom was packed front to back with eager fans for the show of the year. Knocked Loose is what hardcore is about.
The visuals were top-notch, too. The iconic glowing cross towered over the stage, as seen on the cover of You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To.
Knocked Loose is far from done as they have announced an EU/UK spring tour in 2025 with support from Basement, Harms Way, and Pest Control. You can also catch them at the When We Were Young festival on October 18th, 2025 in Las Vegas. Here’s a list of the current remaining tour dates!
November 7 – Grand Rapids, MI: GLC Live at 20 Monroe+# November 9 – Wallingford, CT: The Dome at Oakdale+ November 10 – Washington, DC: The Anthem^+
^: with The Garden +: with DRAIN #: with Militarie Gun
2025
March 17 – London, UK: O2 Academy Brixton March 18 – Manchester, UK: O2 Vi March 20 – Tilburg, NL: 013 Poppodium March 21 – Paris, FR: Le Bataclan March 22 – Lille, FR: L’Aéronef March 25 – Cologne, DE: Palladium March 27 – Berlin, DE: Columbiahalle March 28 – Leipzig, DE: Haus Auensee March 29 – Munich, DE: Tonhalle October 18 – Las Vegas, NV: When We Were Young music festival
As summer fades and the smell of fall fills the air, music fans from across the globe brace themselves for one of the most exciting and eccentric music festivals of the year: Riot Fest. The iconic festival boasts some of the best punk and alternative artists, including the classics we grew up on and new […]
As summer fades and the smell of fall fills the air, music fans from across the globe brace themselves for one of the most exciting and eccentric music festivals of the year: Riot Fest. The iconic festival boasts some of the best punk and alternative artists, including the classics we grew up on and new bands for fans to discover. Join us as Dying Scene revisits Riot Fest 2024; the bands, the fans, and the all new RiotLand!
Day One
Despite the sweltering heat, fans turned up for day one to get the party started. Headliners included Sum 41, Fall Out Boy, The Offspring, New Found Glory, Cypress Hill, Public Enemy, The Marley Brothers and NOFX. With so many amazing bands it is hard to figure out where to go first but we headed to the NOFX Stage to see Get Dead.
The San Francisco punk band formed in 2007 and joined forces with Fat Mike and his label, Fat Wreck Chords.
We wound up at the Radical Stage afterwards for several bands; the layout at this year’s Riot Fest looked a little bit different from years past, now complete with all large stages and two sets of stages side by side. Super convenient! Thanks to that I was able to catch some of Jhariah’s set before Canadian post-punk band Home Front.
Home Front’s performance was explosive, complete with an impressive amount of jump kicks, especially for this Chicago heat. They debuted their first studio album Games of Poweron March 3rd, 2023. It is best described as a beautiful blend of post-punk synthwave and oi!
Bay Area punks Spiritual Cramp followed Home Front on the stage with an equal amount of chaotic attitude and on-stage antics. The gritty yet delightfully polished swagger of frontman Michael Bingham easily won over the crowd. Spiritual Cramp also released their self-titled debut studio album in 2023 via Blue Grape Music.
Post-hardcore band Drug Church took the stage next with overwhelming support from their fans who crowd surfed and sang along to every song. Their newest album PRUDE is set to be released on October 4th, 2024 via Pure Noise Records. You will also still have a chance to catch Drug Church on “The Prude Tour” this fall that features support from Modern Color, Soul Blind, and Pony.
The second day of Riot Fest was just as hot as the first! We started at the Radical Stage for Heart Attack Man, the Ohio-based pop punk band. In 2023, the band released their third full length album Freak of Nature.
Over at the AAA Stage I was fortunate enough to catch the end of Sir Chloe’s set, an indie rock band from Vermont. Another fan raced to the railings at the end hoping to get a drumstick as she was a drummer herself. We both managed to get drummer Palmer Foote’s attention who promptly threw us both a stick! The Hives then promptly started at the neighboring Cabaret Metro Stage.
Finally, Health started, a band so many people have told me I just HAVE to see. The LA experimental-industrial rock band certainly is a vibe. Think cyberpunk meets nihilism meets sexy meets dark transcendentalism…yeah, hard to describe, but you can certainly groove to it at your next goth dark wave club night.
After checking out the highly anticipated St. Vincent and L.S. Dunes (who are no strangers to Riot Fest, check out our previous coverage here), nostalgia brought me to the infamous Taking Back Sunday so I could sing along to all the emo songs that got me through high school. Adam Lazzara still has all the moves with microphone tricks galore.
In complete opposition to the previous days, the third and final day of Riot Fest was rainy and cloudy. It certainly set the mood for the bands of the day which tended to be more metal and hardcore, including the reunion of Slayer.
GEL was everything you would expect from a hardcore band with a knockout performance. With the rain comes mud, and with mud of course there will be circle pits in it (and some mud wrestling). Their newest EP Personawas released on August 16th, 2024.
Other noteworthy acts of the day included the metal greats: Mastodon, GWAR, Lamb of God and horror shock rock king Rob Zombie who always put on the best theatrical performance.
New to Riot Fest this year is RiotLand, filled with old favorites like the Logan Arcade, wedding chapel and skate ramp but also the return of the Hellzapoppin Circus Sideshow Revue. RiotLand was great to walk around while waiting for your next favorite band to play or just for some good old-fashioned people-watching. You can pop inside the store replica of the convenience store in the movie “Clerks” for some quick essentials, stop at the Riot Fest Historical Society made in collaboration with the Punk Rock Museum (those familiar with the Fireside Bowl will recognize the exterior!), and even watch some NWA wrestling.
Most importantly the RiotLand experience would not be complete if you did not take a picture with the giant butter sculpture of John Stamos…because why the hell not?
Riot Fest 2024 may be over but there is still an abundance of Riot Fest Presents shows coming up in the Chicago and Milwaukee area. However, it is never too early to start your Riot Fest 2025 predictions and dream line ups!
Keep an eye on Dying Scene for more in-depth coverage of all three days of the festival!
Rain had been predicted for several days in the week before the start of Riot Fest 2024. The first two days of the festival were sweltering but dry. Sunday morning, however, was greeted by heavy clouds and a torrential downpour. This meant gates had a delayed opening, and some of Douglass Park was taped off. […]
Rain had been predicted for several days in the week before the start of Riot Fest 2024. The first two days of the festival were sweltering but dry. Sunday morning, however, was greeted by heavy clouds and a torrential downpour. This meant gates had a delayed opening, and some of Douglass Park was taped off. As a result, we at Dying Scene had a lighter day. But sets from Laura Jane Grace & Catbite performing Operation Ivy, The Vandals; and Pennywise more than made up for the muddy grounds and having to carry a bunch of plastic bags in case camera gear needed covering. Read all about it and check out the galleries linked from Instagram below.
Laura Jane Grace & Catbite performing a full set of Operation Ivy tunes? Umm, hell yeah. I know I’m not alone in that thinking after seeing the Riot Fest 2024 lineup. The fabulous Philadelphia ska outfit Catbite joined the dynamic Laura Jane Grace as the rain began to ease up, and the result was jaw-dropping. “What’s up Riot Fest?” asked Laura Jane Grace. Grace followed it up with this pledge:
“We’re going to do as many of these songs as we can.”
Rolling from one tune to another they did get to perform quite a few. Highlights of the exuberant set included not only the classic “Take Warning,” but also “Bombshell,” “Unity,“ and “Missionary.” It ended with the defiant “Officer.”
Together, Laura Jane Grace & Catbite might not be on their “way to save the world.” However, they brought a lot of unity to the festival grounds, renamed four years ago in honor of legendary abolitionists Frederick And Anna Murray Douglass. There is something pretty poetic and pretty punk rock in that. Check out more pics!
Orange County, CA icons, The Vandals attacked the stage in a most impish manner. For those uninitiated, most band members decked out in more subdued tones. Not guitarist Warren Fitzgerald, in his vivid yellows and oranges. Wearing bright colors is part of his modus operandi.
Per usual, the ever-limber Fitzgerald was a photographer magnet. Twisting himself into poses that seemed painful to even look at, he provoked a fist bump and this exchange with lead singer Dave Quakenbush:
DQ: “That was rad Warren dude, you still got it.”
WF: “I got hurt…almost hurt so many times.“
DQ: “And then you pulled it off, you looked cool.”
“WF:“I’m not hurt yet.”
DQ: “You looked really good doing it too.”
WF:“Thank you.”
Quakenbush, Fitzgerald, bass player Joe Escalante, and drummer Josh Freese played a rollicking set which included “Café 405,” ”Cowboy,” “It’s A Fact,” “N.I.M.B.Y.,” and “Anarchy Burger (Hold The Government.)”
As hoodie weather sets in, with the holiday season in the not-too-distant future, I look forward to blasting some “Oi To The World” on the regular. Lots more pics here.
Pennywise, my final set of the weekend, was an interesting experience. It seems appropriate that it was the penultimate band at the NOFX World Stage before NOFX played Riot Fest for the final time. For at least most of the photography allotted time, there were only two shooters in the photo pit. Perhaps due to Rob Zombie having a competing set, The other photographer informed me he was shooting for himself. With four cameras on his person, he jokingly acknowledged reminding people of the Dennis Hopper character in Apocolypse Now. A much nattier version, though. I also wondered which of the two of us, Pennywise singer Jim Lindberg would borrow a camera to take a photo of the crowd. It’s something I have seen him do in the past, but this afternoon, it was all about the music.
While the photo pit might have been a bit barren, the crowd was not. Whether the RF attendees were there for NOFX or Pennywise, or most likely both, did not matter. The Hermosa Beach, CA legends delivered a fusillade of songs starting with the recalcitrant “Fight Till You Die.”
Lindberg then looked to the sky, observing that “The clouds have parted for Pennywise, thank you very much Jesus.”
Pennywise also performed robustious versions of “Date with Destiny, and “Fuck Authority.” Fletcher Dragge prefaced that latter tune with a speech he described as the same one he’s been giving “for the last fucking 20 years.” But this has a special timeliness to it as he spoke to the crowd,
“Election year motherfuckers, who you voting for?”
Dragge was apparently pleased with the crowd’s response, continuing with, “A lot of boos, that’s good, that means you hate everybody right? That’s a good place.”
After adding that “they’re all motherfuckers, both sides are fucked,” and assuring everyone that “We’re all in this together,” the band launched into a ferocious version of the aforementioned “Fuck Authority.” It was a powerful battle cry and a much-welcome one to many of those on the lawn and surrounding the band on stage.
Pennywise also had a bit of fun covering just under a minute of NOFX’s “Bob.” The band ended with “Bro Hymn,” joined up front by all the friends, family, and fans watching the sides and rear areas of the stage. It was an exceptionally festive moment.
I know I’m amped up for the next chance to shoot this band. You wanna borrow my camera, Jim? Check out a bunch more pics of the PW set here!
You can again peruse Days 1 and Day 2 if the mood hits.
Once again, covering Riot Fest was abundantly fun, though extremely exhausting. And by the end of the festival I cannot wait to tear off the wristbands that tickled my skin all weekend long (I save them as mementos). When everything is complete I can finally breathe a sigh of relief. DONE!
Riot Fest Day 1 was hot, and Riot Fest Day 2 was even hotter. A virtual scorcher, weather-wise and musically, DS hit the photo-pits for The Hives, The Dead Milkmen, Sincere Engineer, Descendents, and D.O.A. as they tore up the stages in Chicago’s Douglass Park. You can see additional day 2 band galleries on Instagram […]
Riot Fest Day 1 was hot, and Riot Fest Day 2 was even hotter. A virtual scorcher, weather-wise and musically, DS hit the photo-pits for The Hives, The Dead Milkmen, Sincere Engineer, Descendents, and D.O.A. as they tore up the stages in Chicago’s Douglass Park. You can see additional day 2 band galleries on Instagram via hyperlinks in the corresponding paragraphs below.
One of the most eagerly anticipated sets on the second day of this year’s Riot Fest was from The Hives. The matching and sharp-dressed Swedish punks exceeded all expectations with a ferocious performance from the first note played. With various band members sporadically taking their places on the giant speakers in front of the stage and with the lead singer “Howling” Pelle Almqvist moving to sing at the barricades and above the fans, the photo pit got a bit chaotic. It was so chaotic (please note, though not out of control) that we shooters were instructed to exit just seconds into the third song. One fellow photographer joked after that if you could not get a good photo within the first minute of that set, you shouldn’t be shooting Riot Fest. Indeed, The Hives set was the epitome of the performances upon which we concert photographers thrive.
Included in the raucous set were the songs “Bogus Operandi, “”Rigor Mortis Radio,” “Walk Idiot Walk,” and “Hate To Say I Told You So.” “Countdown to the Shutdown” was the last song played by The Hives but it wasn’t the last song heard. While lots of bands have walk-on music, The Hives also has a walk-off songs. In this case, Carly Simon’s “Nobody Does It Better,” which, f.y.i., is the theme song to the 1977 James Bond film, “The Spy Who Loved Me.” Band members bowed and waved as the iconic American singer-songwriter’s voice wafted gently from the speakers. More than a few witnessing The Hives’ Riot Fest performance might argue that nobody did it better, at least not on this day.
The Dead Milkmen took the stage a few minutes ahead of time, catching us shooters and those letting us into the photo pit a bit off guard. It was all good, though, as we were given a bit more time to make up for it. The Philly outfit brought its legendary tongue firmly in cheek. The exuberant set included some of the band’s best songs, including “Serrated Edge,” “Punk Rock Girl,” “Bitchin’ Camaro,” and “Big Lizard.”
The Dead Milkmen also performed “Grandpa’s Not a Racist (He Just Voted for One),” off the band’s 2023 album Quaker City Quiet Pills. The lyrics to the song and the fact it was released just last year, make it hard not to think of a certain segment of the voting population in this election year, and of a certain 2024 Presidential Candidate.
They’re coming for his Jesus They re coming for his gun They’re coming for his Jesus There coming for his gun They’re coming for his Jesus They’re coming for his gun Grandpa’s not a racist – he just voted for one
Grandpa’s screaming something about white genocide as he crawls under the bed looking for someplace to hide He talks a lot of bullshit when he’s hittin’ the rum But we know Grandpa’s not a racist – he just voted for one.
Last night we found Grandpa wandering the streets Whistling Dixie and wearing a white sheet Letting everybody know He won’t be replaced by the Jews and we said “Oh, Grandpa, who could ever replace you”
Do you know a racist Grandpa? You see one every day He wonders why the N-word is something he’s not allowed to say and while he’s the worst person under the sun We all know Grandpa’s not a racist – he just voted for one.”
The Dead Milkmen set was the one I knew I would not miss at this year’s Riot Fest. I enjoyed interviewing Joe Jack Talcum and covering and documenting the band’s delightful set at House of Vans several years back. I hope to document as many more The Dead Milkmen shows as possible because I’m kind of a punk rock girl who has had the pleasure of riding in my friends’ Bitching Camaro on numerous occasions.
Sincere Engineer is most often described as a stage moniker for singer/rhythm guitar player Deanna Belos in her sole work. But it has also been described as a band, including by Belos herself on occasion. Whatever its most accurate characterization, if there indeed is one, Sincere Engineer has been a Dying Scene favorite pretty much since its debut album, Rhombithian.
Of course, one of the big reasons is Belos’ smartly charming and self-deprecating songwriting. She is unafraid to wear her often aching and/or longing heart on the short sleeves of her black Carhartt t-shirts nor is she wary of letting you know this is the case. The first song the band played “Anemia” perfectly illustrates this
I’m a walking open wound Don’t make any sudden moves I’m a walking open wound It’s a pleasure to meet you
Aware of this, it is unsurprising the group’s walk-on music is the classic instrumental version of the Johnny Mandel theme from M*A*S*H*, also known by its official song name “Suicide Is Painless.”
However, the joy she and her bandmates, Kyle Geib on lead guitar, Nick Arvanitis on bass, and drummer/back-up vocals Adam Beck display whilst expressing sometimes heavy emotions is infectious.
Also included in the roaring set “Dragged Across The Finish Line,” “Corn Dog Sonnet No. 7,” “Old Coat Pocket,” and “Overbite,” among others.
Sincere Engineer is currently on the road in the western part of the United States, supporting New Found Glory’s Catalyst 20 Years Later Tour. To say this is a dream come true for Belos’ might be a bit of an understatement. Speaking to her from said road, Belos’ described to me what it has been like.
“It’s such a blast being out on tour with New Found Glory! They’re so nice, and the shows have been incredible! They were my first favorite band, so it’s been awesome to get to know them and see them every night!“
Riot Fest’s regular rotations include numerous members of the “Punk Rock Docs Club” including Bad Religion’s Dr. Greg Griffin, PhD; Dr. Daryl Wilson, MD of The Bollweevils; Dr. Dexter Holland, PhD of The Offspring, and of course, The Descendents‘ Dr. Milo Auckerman, PhD. The latter two were on stage in Douglass Park this year. Dying Scene was able to hit one of those sets.
After taking the stage Guitarist Stephen Egerton gestured to its side area to give a shoutout to skateboarding legend Steve Caballero, whose own band, Urethane, also played Riot Fest 2024. The Descendents launched into its performance. The frenetic and extensive set included “The Only One,” “Silly Girl,” “Clean Sheets,” “Look Good On Paper,” “I’m The One,” and “Suburban Home.”
If the Descendents were offered an annual residency at Riot Fest, few would likely complain.
D.O.A. is still alive and killing it. The only member of the band from start to present, singer Joey “Joey Shithead” Keithley, told the audience that the band has been around for 47 years and added, “I’m in the middle of my third life sentence but don’t worry I can do the fucking stretch. I’m ok, I can do it.”
The band made a strong case for never retiring with its powerful set. Two of the highlights were blistering performances of “Smash The State,” and “The Enemy.”
D.O.A. was recently on the bill for NOFX’s final show. They have a couple of Pacific Northwest shows scheduled in November 2024, providing direct support for Duff McKagen. Check them out if you can!
Day 1 of Riot Fest 2024 kicked off on a hot Friday morning. Festival organizers announced a few months back that the annual weekend Chicago event would be moved to the nearby suburbs. That caused a bit of a kerfluffle, with some applauding the move, and some vehemently opposed to it, often depending on where […]
Day 1 of Riot Fest 2024 kicked off on a hot Friday morning. Festival organizers announced a few months back that the annual weekend Chicago event would be moved to the nearby suburbs. That caused a bit of a kerfluffle, with some applauding the move, and some vehemently opposed to it, often depending on where those reacting lived. But in the end, the festival once again took place at Chicago’s Douglass Park.
While change-ups and new offerings are an annual occurrence, this year, there were more than in past years. This included the renaming of some stages, as well as the change of location for at least one. The carnival rides were still on-site, as were the wrestling ring, skate ramp, and Wedding Chapel. That last feature was, this year, in an enclosed Church like structure (offering softer, better lighting for photographers) in a new area called Riot Land. In Riot Land, attendees were treated to, among other things, a version of Logan Arcade, a Riot Fest history museum built into an homage to the iconic Fireside Bowl and a convenience store. There was also the Strip-o-Rama and Helzapoppin’. Though this may seem a lot, I am sure I have missed a thing or two during my time on the event grounds. Aslas, hooting from the photo pits again this year kept me away from partaking in many of the aforementioned sites. Perhaps next year, when my fellow Dying Scene Team Chicago member Mary Sunde is in the photo pits again and I am documenting the “Characters of Riot Fest.
.Riot Fest also served as the Chicago send-off for NOFX, now on its Farewell Tour. The band headlined all three nights of the festival. I was there for its Night 1 set, which took place on the stage named in its honor, NOFX World Stage. The band came onto the stage doing the Time Warp from the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Mike “Fat Mike” Burkett spent a few minutes joking with the massive crowd on the grounds and a significant number of fellow musicians flanking the band just off the performance area of the stage. Finally, the band kicked off a generously long set, which included “Backstage Passport,” “Don’t Call Me White,” “Franco Un-American,” “Idiots Are Taking Over,” “Timmy the Turtle,” “Linoleum,” and “Six Pack Girls.” It was a raucous set, demonstrating that NOFX is still able to bring the energy.
Of course, Burkett kept the jokes going throughout the set, telling Chicago “you’re the biggest city in Illinois.” Poking fun at the crowd members he told them they looked old and that fellow headliners Fall Out Boy were probably telling the crowd they looked young, throwing sly shade to FOB’s lead singer. That was followed by provocative references to Israel and God (Burkett has been described as a Jewish Atheist) prompting Eric Melvin to interject with, “That reminds me of the next song we should be starting right now.” Burkett assured his bandmates that “…I can’t get canceled again, it’s only six more shows,” adding that “whatever I say on my fucking golf course I can’t get in trouble for,” to which Melvin replied, “Look, in like ten years you’re going to care, I swear.”
All par for the course for a NOFX set and one the fans relished. It was also obviously emotional for more than a few of its most ardent fans, many of whom were seeing their beloved group for the final time. If providing closure to its fans was in order, NOFX served it up marvelously and gave them a particularly lasting memory among years of lasting memories.
As is always the case, there are conflicting sets, and choices need to be made. Shooting The Warning was one of the best decisions of the weekend. It’s a propulsive sister-punk act out of Monterrey, Mexico. You might say that the family that plays together stays together (and slays its performance together as well). Blasting through the set, The Warning introduced itself to the Riot Fest crowd in an explosive way, and the crowd loved it. Spotted just beyond the barricade, a fan was swelling with pride as he waved a large Mexican flag during a set which included “S!ck,” “Qué Más Quieres,” “Six Feet Deep,” “Hell You Call A Dream,” and “Automatic Sun.”. The only warning I can give about this band is you may regret missing your chance to catch this band.
New Found Glory made Riot Fest a stop on its “Catalyst 20 Years Later Tour.” The Riot Fest performance was listed as a non-Catalyst setlist. Of course, the band still roared through some of the album’s tracks including “Downhill From Here,” “Truth Of My Youth,” and “Failure’s Not Flattering.” NFG also treated the crowd to “Something I Call Personality,” and “Head On Collision,” from Sticks and Stones. There was a celebratory feeling both on stage and in the crowd. Two decades later, NFG continues to go places, downhill not being one of them. New Found Glory resumes its tour, with special guest Sincere Engineer, on October 11, 2024, in Dallas, Texas.
One of the first bands to kick off Riot Fest weekend delivered a wallop. Winona Fighter, out of Nashville, TN, whipped through a high energy and fun set which included “Hamms In A Glass,” “I Think You Should Leave,” “I’m In the Market To Please None,” and “You Look Like A Drunk Phoebe Bridgers.”
Post-RF, the band is scheduled to play Aftershock in Sacramento, CA on October 11, 2024, and Ceremony Festival in Nashville, TN on December 14, 2024.
Three members of The Descendents, ALL sans Milo Aukerman (yeah, I had to), pulled double duty during Riot Fest 2024 weekend: Stephen Egerton, Karl Alvarez, and Bill Stevenson, with Chad Price on lead vocals. Riot Fest veterans, The Circle Jerks, The Exploited, and The Lawrence Arms, were back and very welcome, delivering terrific performances.
Great music and strong performances on the first day of Riot Fest made roasting under the sun a bit more bearable than it might otherwise have been.
Be on the lookout for my Day 2 and Day 3 coverage as well as the take from my fellow Dying Scene Team Chicago member Mary Sunde. You can also head to our IG thread to see more shots from Day One!
After cryptically wiping their Instagram while teasing for something coming soon, Destroy Boys just announced that they’ll follow 2021’s Open Mouth, Open Heart with their fourth album, Funeral Soundtrack #4, on August 9th via Hopeless Records (pre-order here!) Violet Mayugba explains the title of the new album, “Looking back, our first three albums marked the deaths of things. They […]
After cryptically wiping their Instagram while teasing for something coming soon, Destroy Boys just announced that they’ll follow 2021’s Open Mouth, Open Heart with their fourth album, Funeral Soundtrack #4, on August 9th via Hopeless Records (pre-order here!)
Violet Mayugba explains the title of the new album, “Looking back, our first three albums marked the deaths of things. They were soundtracks to our funerals, whether they were for our ages or our mental states. We’ve gone through a lot of changes as a band and as people. The first one was our high school album. On the second record, we went to college and were saying goodbye to our childhood. On the third one, we’d just gone through COVID and, speaking for myself, I lost my entire sense of self and gained a new one.”
Destroy Boys have teamed with producer Carlos de la Garza (Paramore, The Linda Lindas) for their upcoming album and includes a collaboration with the bands Mannequin Pussy and Scowl on the song “You Hear Yes.”
Check out the new song, track list, and upcoming Destroy Boys shows below!
Track list for Funeral Soundtrack #4:
Bad Guy Plucked Beg for the Torture Praying Amor divino Shadow (I’m Breaking Down) Shedding Skin Should’ve Been Me You Don’t Know You Hear Yes (feat. Mannequin Pussy and Scowl) Boyfeel
Current 2024 tour dates:
July 27: Milwaukee, WI @ Harley Davidson Homecoming Festival July 28: Madison, WI @ Majestic Theatre July 29: Des Moines, IA @ Wooly’s July 31: Indianapolis, IN @ Hi-Fi Aug 1: St. Louis, MO @ Red Flag Aug 2: Chicago, IL @ Subterranean (Lollapalooza After Show) Aug 3: Chicago, IL @ Lollapalooza Aug 14: Paredes De Coura, Portugal @ Paredes De Coura Aug 15: Charleville-mezieres, France @ Cabaret Vert Aug 19: Esch-sur-alzette, Luxembourg @ Rockhal Aug 20: Utrecht, Netherlands @ Tivoli Vredenburg Aug 22: Saint-Cloud, France @ Rock En Seine Aug 23: Leeds, UK @ Leeds Festival Aug 24: Nottingham, UK @ Rescue Rooms Aug 25: Reading, UK @ Reading Festival
Need even more? Take a look at some of our past photo galleries featuring Destroy Boys:
Peace out, 2023. Whether or not this was your year, we got some pretty sweet punk releases out of it. Here’s a list of some of my favorite singles/songs from albums that dropped this year. Bonus: There’s also my top 20 favorite concert photos I shot in 2023 for Dying Scene (I have way more […]
Peace out, 2023. Whether or not this was your year, we got some pretty sweet punk releases out of it. Here’s a list of some of my favorite singles/songs from albums that dropped this year. Bonus: There’s also my top 20 favorite concert photos I shot in 2023 for Dying Scene (I have way more that I love, so it was hard to narrow it down)! Cheers!
Dynamic power punk bands Heet Deth and Sweetie played together at one of Chicago’s iconic dive bar music venues on November 4th. Locals know Liar’s Club is the best place to go for a punk show and to see what eclectic boots Chicago Reader’s voted best music venue bartender Gary Kessler is sporting for the […]
Dynamic power punk bands Heet Deth and Sweetie played together at one of Chicago’s iconic dive bar music venues on November 4th. Locals know Liar’s Club is the best place to go for a punk show and to see what eclectic boots Chicago Reader’s voted best music venue bartender Gary Kessler is sporting for the night.
Heet Deth is a noisy-fierce post punk duo that is not new to Dying Scene. Their Bandcamp description says it best, “perpetually throwing a heavy apocalyptic party. Blasting bombastic rock n’ roll to quake you to your soul.”
Some of my favorite bands are two-piece duos that are forces not to be reckoned with.
Self-proclaimed lipstick punk band Sweetie has been voted a top five Chicago punk band in the Chicago Reader and holds a residency for the Rocky Horror Picture Show in Dekalb, IL.
Frontwoman Birdy Vee also recently created the Chicago punk music festival Hands Off Our Fest (H.O.O.F). Featuring over a half a dozen bands and live performers, H.O.O.F. is a music fest celebrating the women, femmes, and thems of the Chicago punk scene.
Sweetie currently has shows all over the Chicagoland area, but if you want to go to a SUPER special show you need to check out The 9th Annual War on Xmas show where they will be opening for The Lawrence Arms at the legendary Chicago venue Metro!
The third and final day of Riot Fest had a bit more rain and clouds but that seemed totally fitting for the main headliner of the day, The Cure, and Dying Scene has photos for you in case you missed it. We are also showcasing some other amazing bands, including AFI, Earth Crisis, The Bronx, […]
The third and final day of Riot Fest had a bit more rain and clouds but that seemed totally fitting for the main headliner of the day, The Cure, and Dying Scene has photos for you in case you missed it. We are also showcasing some other amazing bands, including AFI, Earth Crisis, The Bronx, Gorilla Biscuits and Fleshwater!
Fleshwater is an alternative post-hardcore band from Georgetown, Massachusetts. Anthony DiDio and Matt Wood are also members of hardcore group Vein.fm.
Straight-edge hardcore band Earth Crisis brought a blazing and intense performance.
The Bronx! If you are lucky enough to embark on Flogging Molly’s Salty Dog Cruise in November you’ll see them there!
Finishing off his three-peat performance weekend, Walter Schreifels and the Gorilla Biscuits had no shortage of energy!
I first saw AFI at Riot Fest 2013; ten years later they still put on one of the best shows. If you haven’t seen them live yet you are really missing out.
The Cure closed out the night with a mesmerizing concert to an emotional crowd of fans that waited for this moment all day.
Check out the full gallery below and revisit day one and day two!
