Riot Fest is one year shy of legal drinking age and celebrating its 20th anniversary this summer with a stacked lineup of classic indie and alternative bands led by East Bay punk legends Green Day, pop punkers Blink-182, alt-rock darlings Weezer and rock icon Jack White.
Also on the bill are British punk pioneers the Sex Pistols (with Gallows singer Frank Carter singing John “Johnny Rotten” Lydon’s vocals, much to Lydon’s dismay), American parody master ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic, British hard rockers Idles, post punk outfit Alkaline Trio, All Time Low and dozens of other bands at Chicago’s Douglass Park Sept 19-21.
“I just wanted to put a show together with all of my favorite bands”, festival founder “Riot Mike” Petryshyn famously said before the inaugural Riot Fest back in 2005, according to a press release. “Throughout the next 20 years, the festival has grown to become one of the biggest independent festivals in the country, known for eclectic lineups, high-profile band reunions, full album plays, and even a butter sculpture tribute to John Stamos.”
Additional performing acts include The Beach Boys, Knocked Loose, Rilo Kiley, Jawbreaker, Dropkick Murphys, Bad Religion, Hanson, The Hold Steady and many many more.
“We didn’t plan on making it for twenty years. We planned on making it through one weekend. But here we are – still loud, still weird, still building something bigger than we ever meant to.” Petryshyn said in a press release.
Tickets for Riot Fest 2025 are on sale now with 20th Anniversary merch also available for purchase at riotfest.org.
