Riot Fest 2016 Highlights

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 a "Punk Never Dies" sign at Riot Fest Chicago 2016

Picture of young fans at Riot Fest Chicago 2016

Picture of Period Panties for sale at Riot Fest Chicago 2016

Picture of a fan in green face paint at Riot Fest Chicago 2016

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 a punk rock pig at Riot Fest Chicago 2016

Picture of Punk Books for sale at Riot Fest Chicago 2016

Picture of female fans at Riot Fest Chicago 2016

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 fans in clown and Mortal Kombat costumes at Riot Fest 2016

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 fans watching the Julie Ruin 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

Picture of Misfits fans at Riot Fest Chicago 2016

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

A Riot Fest Chicago attendee shows off his mohawk.

Picture of a Riot Fest Chicago fan with a mohawk.Picture of a Riot Fest Chicago attendee with a mohawk. Picture of a Riot Fest Chicago attendee with a pink mohawk.   Picture of Riot Fest Chicago attendees with bright mohawks. Picture of a Riot Fest Chicago attendee with a mohawk.

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

Picture of a fan's band tattoo at Riot Fest 2016.

Who do you hope to see at Riot Fest 2017?

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.