It’s Here! Riot Fest Is Here!
A sampling would include: Pkew Pkew Pkew, The Get Up Kids, Masked Intruder, Cherry Glazerr, Cursive, The Beaches, Teenage Bottlerocket, White Reaper, Ride, Bob Mould, and Against Me!. And of course you now I will be party party party party party party party party party party party party party party party party party party party party party partying with Andrew W.K.
But like I said, those are just a few of the “undercard” bands I’m looking forward to. It’s all the bands I’m unfamiliar with that will actually fill the earlier portions of my day, and I think you should follow the same battle plan, no matter your age or which band(s) convinced you to lay out hard-earned cash for a ticket.
To that end, if I were you I’d download the Riot Fest app, and give it a spin tonight, and on the train to Douglas Park tomorrow before the gates open. (I say the train because biking and public transit are the best way to get to the grounds. If you MUST drive, here’s where you can park. But why invite that hassle?)
The weather report is still up in the air, but as always prepare for heat or rain, and I wouldn't wear your finest footwear, no matter what the forecast says. And Riot Fest is more than just music. There's carnival rides. And puppies. Lots of independent art and merch vendors. And so, so much food. So wander the grounds between musical acts and take it all in. And, of course, do NOT forget to visit the majestic return of BUTTER STAMOS! Let's all have fun this weekend, huh? Who are you most excited to see, and who should I put on my list of can't miss acts I haven't mentioned? Riot Fest is September 13-15 in Douglas Park and tickets are still available.Jim Kopeny / Tankboy
Tankboy resides in the body of Jim Kopeny and lives in Mayfair with Pickle the Kitten and a beagle named Betty (RIP) who may actually be slightly more famous than most of the musicians slogging through the local scene. He's written about music for much longer than most bands you hear on the radio have even existed.