This year’s just-announced Riot Fest has without a doubt one of the most mouth-watering lineups we’ve seen in recent memory, and local legends The Smith Street Band will be flying the Aussie flag alongside names like Queens of the Stone Age, Nine Inch Nails, and just so many more.
The Chicago fest will also see the reunion of punk pioneers Jawbreaker, and sets from New Order, Paramore, Prophets of Rage, Wu-Tang Clan, MIA, and local rapper and Kanye-collaborator Vic Mensa, with over 70 names announced on the first lineup.
Our local lads will be taking their rather brilliant new record More Scared Of You Than You Are Of Me to the U.S. with them, hoping to win over some fresh ears during the crowded three-day bash.
If you’re as tempted by this lineup as we are, or just really want to show out for the Smithies, Riot goes down in Chicago from September 15-17, with tickets on sale now.
Another 25+ artists will be announced in May, so we could even see some more Aussie names join the fray – check out the full first round announcement below, and a recap of last year’s fest.
Could definitely be worth the trip…
Riot Fest first lineup
Nine Inch Nails, Queens of the Stone Age, Jawbreaker
New Order, Paramore, Prophets of Rage, M.I.A.
Wu-Tang Clan, Mike D (DJ Set), A Day To Remember
Gogol Bordello, Taking Back Sunday, Vic Mensa, Dirty Heads
TV on the Radio, Ministry, Dinosaur Jr.
New Found Glory, Death From Above 1979, Bad Brains, FIDLAR
Action Bronson, Pennywise, Built to Spill
X, Peaches, The Lawrence Arms, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
The Orwells, Bayside, Say Anything, Mayday Parade
Streetlight Manifesto, Dead Cross, Minus the Bear
The Menzingers, LIARS, GWAR, Buzzcocks,
GBH, Real Friends, Hot Water Music
Shabazz Palaces, Andrew W.K., Fishbone, The Story So Far
State Champs, Four Year Strong, Beach Slang,
The Cribs, that dog., Knuckle Puck, Chon
Slaves, The Hotelier, The Flatliners
Dessa, Saul Williams, Nothing More, Alice Bag
Tobacco, Sleep On It, Downtown Boys
Engine 88, The Smith Street Band, The Regrettes, HDBeenDope
Gazebos, Kitten Forever, and more
