Riot Fest 2016 Highlights | Urban Explorer

Riot Fest is annually one of my favorite weekends in Chicago, and among the country’s most unique music festivals. Although it has grown from a small, multi-venue event into a full-blown destination festival, Riot Fest manages to maintain an outsider, DIY spirit. Some festivals are really about radio hits and quirky outfits these days, but Riot Fest continues to focus on the music and draw attendees that do too. The lineup includes up and comers as well as that band you haven’t blasted since driving to high school.

This year, I teamed up with DNAinfo to shoot a series of Riot Fest features. This included daily artist coverage as well as capturing the die-hard Misfits fans that flocked to see the unlikely reunion. And it wouldn’t be Riot Fest without mohawks.

Check out the articles and some of my favorite snaps from the weekend!

Riot Fest Friday

We grooved to Damien Marley and Jimmy Eat World, saluted the return of Ween, and got weird with the Flaming Lips.

Read: Riot Fest Photos: Fans, Fashion And Music in Douglas Park

Picture of the Refused at Riot Fest Chicago 2016 — The Refused play Riot Fest Chicago

Picture of Wayne Coyne and Chewbacca at Riot Fest Chicago 2016 — Wayne Coyne mounts Chewbacca at Riot Fest Chicago

Riot Fest Saturday

The Hives hurled the weekend’s most high-energy set and Morrissey banned the sale of meat.

Read: Riot Fest 2016 Saturday Photos: No Meat During Morrissey, A Pet Pig & More

Picture of the Hold Steady performing at Riot Fest Chicago 2016 — The Hold Steady performs at Riot Fest Chicago

Picture of The Hives performing at Riot Fest Chicago 2016 — The Hives get cheeky at Riot Fest Chicago

Picture of notice that no meat will be sold during Morrissey's set at Riot Fest Chicago 2016 — Then he was like an hour late on stage

Riot Fest Sunday

Andrew W.K. did his thing, the Julie Ruin still rules, and the Deftones win for loudest set. Oh yeah, the Misfits played!

Read: Riot Fest 2016 Sunday Photos: Misfits Close Out The Douglas Park Festival

Picture of Dee Snyder posing with porta potties at Riot Fest 2016 — We caught Dee Snyder in the can at Riot Fest Chicago

Picture of a fire breather at Riot Fest 2016 — Riot Fest features a circus sideshow

Picture of the Julie Ruin performing at Riot Fest 2016 — The Julie Ruin performing at Riot Fest 2016

Picture of Rob Zombie performing at Riot Fest 2016 — Rob Zombie rocks Riot Fest

The Misfits Reunite

Fans traveled far and wide to see the original Misfits lineup reunite for the second time in 33 years.

Read: Misfits Reunion at Riot Fest Excites Diehard Fans

A Hair-Raising Weekend

Coifs of every color and style were seen in Douglas park this weekend. No telling how many cans of hair spray were harmed in the making of these mohawks.

Read: Fans Rock Sky-High Mohawks At Riot Fest

Music Ink

What’s the ultimate proof of fandom? labeling your music allegiance with a tattoo.

Read: Music Fans Show Off Their Ink With Band Tattoos At Riot Fest

Picture of a fan's Misfits tattoo at Riot Fest 2016. — The Misfits

Picture of a fan's Black Flag tattoo at Riot Fest 2016. — Black Flag

Picture of a fan's Alkaline Trio tattoo at Riot Fest 2016. — Alkaline Trio

Picture of a fan's Death Cab for Cutie tattoo at Riot Fest 2016. — Death Cab for Cutie

Picture of a fan's David Bowie tattoo at Riot Fest 2016. — David Bowie

Who do you hope to see at Riot Fest 2017?

Jessica Mlinaric

Jessica Mlinaric founded Urban Explorer in 2010 to inspire curious travelers by highlighting history, culture, and hidden gems in Chicago and beyond. She is the author of ‘Secret Chicago’ and ‘Chicago Scavenger.’ Jessica has visited 20+ countries and 30+ U.S. states. She has more than 16 years of experience as a marketing strategist and works as a freelance writer and photographer.