It felt good to riot again. I’ll admit it, after two years away I wasn’t sure my rusty festival skills and pandemic jitters could handle a fourth day of Riot Fest. The punk rock carnival kicked off Thursday night with a preview party and I attended through Sunday. Yet walking the grounds of Douglass Park, I instantly felt back at home.
Check out my highlights and favorite photos of Riot Fest 2021 for Third Coast Review!
Riot Fest Preview Party
The first ever preview party was the perfect way to ease back into the festival circuit, allowing me to get the lay of the land and enjoy live music with slimmer crowds and no conflicting acts on other stages.
The always magnificent Patti Smith played a captivating set. Alkaline Trio hosted an emo homecoming party. Morrissey showed up on time, and delivered a polished set that even included some Smiths numbers.
Read: Riot Fest 2021 Preview Party in Review
Riot Fest Friday
On Friday, Riot Fest Friday attendees experienced an epic display of scorching sun, dramatic lightning, and rain shower to close the night. The lineup didn’t quit, starting early with the Sounds, and featuring Circa Survive, Thrice, Sublime with Rome, Coheed and Cambria, and the Smashing Pumpkins. It was everything you wanted to hear in the city by the lake.
Read: Riot Fest Friday in Review
Riot Fest Saturday
After how ever many months of being inside, the festivities at Riot Fest on Saturday showed that people are ready to have fun again. Les Savy Fav got weird, Best Coast brought the sunshine, and Gogol Bordello got the crowd dancing. Hometown favorites Vic Mensa and Rise Against drew legions of fans, while perennial Riot Fester Andrew W.K. and buddy rap duo Run the Jewels closed the night strong.
Read: Riot Fest Sunday in Review
Riot Fest Sunday
Sunday began with Chicago bands Airstream Futures and Melkbelly. Body Count, complete with Ice-T, tore up the most badass set of the weekend. The mosh pit continued for Thursday, while Devo brought Akron art-pop to Chicago. Wayne Coyne spent most of the Flaming Lips set masked in an inflatable orb. Machine Gun Kelly brought the party and Slipknot had the coolest, flaming stage set I’ve ever seen.
Read: Riot Fest Sunday in Review
I’m already looking forward to next year’s Riot Fest!
Check out my other coverage of Riot Fest.
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.
