Riot Fest started up in 2005 as a multi venue event harboring music that encompasses punk, rock, alternative, metal and hip-hop.
The fest takes place every September since then with the exception that it is now an outdoor event hosted in Douglas Park. The fest is three days long event that takes place rain or shine. I was fortunate enough to experience riot fest for the first time last Sunday. The weather was exceptionally hot for a mid September day, but not completely unbearable. The venue was well organized. When people enter the park they are subjected to a light pat down by security as well as their bags. Then you are given a lanyard that holds your guide. The guide has a colorful layout of performance schedules and map of the park.
As you continue walking you notice there are multiple stages where different concerts are being held at various time. Surrounding the park are food vendors that offer Asian, authentic Mexican, Italian, and American food! The fest also features carnival rides adding to the spectacular thrill. The back of the fest is sectioned for vendors who sell all types of punk merchandise such as clothes, art, posters, and jewelry. Anything you purchase will have you feel your most unique self.
Douglas was filled with a range of beautiful people from those with different colored, vibrant hair to those with the most expressive tattoos, to those who didn’t think twice about their appearance because they were so stoked just to see their favorite band. The crowd featured young children, teens, and older adults. Every form of fashion was present from grunge to the modern day tank, shorts, and fanny pack “fest look”. I even met a girl who dressed completely in a Spiderman costume, the gloves and mask included,
to catch the attention of Paramore’s lead singer Hayley Williams.
The Paramore band is known for picking one fan from the crowd every performance to finish singing her song, Misery Business. This was Shanelle’s fourth time seeing Paramore live with high hopes of being that one special fan. She had waited at the Radicals Stage nearly all day holding her spot in the crowd. The heat was so intense on Sunday that my fingers began to swell and tingle abnormally due to dehydration. I don’t want to imagine how she suffered in her attire, but in reality I never met someone more happy. To experience live music, without the presence of a DJ, but instead hearing the incredible sounds produced by physical instruments is one like no other.
When you feel the beat of drums in your chest is the moment someone comes alive. I was stoked when I waiting to see Paramore, especially because I was so close to the stage. If you have only been to concerts where you buy a specific assigned seat like me, then you would understand how amazing I felt in the moment. Then all hell broke lose. Right as the band claimed their spot on the stage the crowd went wild. The pushing and shoving crammed my elbows into my waist and so many bodies were pushed against me to the point that I didn’t need to hold up my own weight.
I was convinced for fifteen minutes that I had lost a toe. When Hayley Williams danced to the left side of the stage, that’s where the crowd went and so on and so forth. I began thinking okay, “I can still breath? I’m alright? Just enjoy the performance”. That worked up until I couldn’t sing along to any songs because I was too busy trying to keep my balance as I was being knocked around. My best friend and I pushed our way to the back of the crowd which to my surprise wasn’t too difficult.
We stopped at a point where the crowd wasn’t packed together and everyone had arm space. By then my shirt was soaked with sweat, but I was just happy to be able to feel the night’s breeze. I made the best of the moment by dancing and singing just how I originally wanted to.
Riot Fest is an amazing experience, just know your place in the crowd.
2017 FULL WEEKEND RECAP
Riot Fest was as full of excitement and energy as any decent punk rock-themed event should be. What made Riot Fest stand out was the very explicit and very genuine love for the music itself. Upon the time of my entry Friday afternoon, I was greeted by a heartfelt performance by highly influential punk group Buzzcocks, complete with a dancing, singing, crowd surfing audience. Immediately after the Buzzcocks setlist, I was able to catch the last few minutes of an energetic setlist by rapper and culinary enthusiast Action Bronson. Although music scenes always seem to be rejecting of one another, Action was well-received. A crowd peppered with band shirts, black clothes, and dyed hair nodded their heads as the iconically-heavy artist flowed over his beats.
After Action Bronson, I was able to catch a setlist at the smallest and most isolated stage. Chon was different from the other acts in the sense that they had no vocalist. Despite nothing to sing along to, the audience was probably more intimate with the act than in other acts. Chon gave an amazing performance that was enjoyed by about a few hundred people at most, not including those that were only nearby to fill their water. As the day, and later the weekend, progressed, it became more and more clear how genuine everything felt. The Cribs expressed their joy to have had recorded their last album in our city and later Chicago rapper Vic Mensa gave a few earnest words about violence in the city. The night was ended by an epic, angry, angsty setlist by Nine Inch Nails. By the end of only the first day, it was obvious how genuine every second of the festival was.
More Featured Bands That Claimed a Stage at Riot
JAWBREAKER
An American band that embodies the punk rock genre. The band was most prominent between 1986 through 1996 and began performing again this year.
Their most popular songs include Chesterfield (1992), Accident Prone (1995), and Box Car. The band’s members include Blake Schwarzenbach, Adam Pfahler, and Chris Bauermeister. The band is recognized for playing a key role in the 1990’s “emo movement”.
CAP N JAZZ
A notorious indie rock band that originated right her in Chicago in 1989. The band consist of Tim and Mike Kinsella (brothers), Sam Zurick, Davey vonBohlen and Victor Villareal. A
few of songs produced by the band include Oh Mess Life (1995), Basil’s Kite (1995), and Soria (1998). The gropu was scarcles recognized outside the midwest; however, the band made large contributions to popularizing the punk rock style of music, making it more inclusive.
DINOSAUR JR.
The band was formed in Amherst, Massachusetts in 1984. It’s members include J Mascis, Lou Barlow, Murph, Mike Johnson, and Donna Dresch. The band is especially unique in regards to its album covers. The album covers are typically illustrations of twisted creatures and interactive nature. The band even carry a converse Dinosaur jr. edition. Some well known songs include Feel the Pain (1994), and Just Like Heaven (1987).
CHON
The band was established in San Diego, California in 2008. The relatively young band is noticed for their heavy instrumentals. The band originated with volcalist, Esiah Camarena; however, he quit the band before they released their debut. The bands performs relying soley on instruments. A few popular songs the band is known for are Sleepy Tea (2017), Fall (2015), and Echo (2015).
The band includes Mario Mamarena, Erick Hansel, Nathan Camarena, and Drew Pelisek.
Susan Huerta
Features Reporter
Anthony Lopez
Features Contributer