Photo by Colin Gahungu

Riot Fest returned for its 20^th anniversary in Chicago this year with Blink-182, Weezer, and Green Day headlining this year’s bill with support from Rico Nasty, Citizen, Idles, Jawbreaker, The Beach Boys featuring John Stamos, and more. Chicago's very own La Rosa Noir opened the fest with a noon set on Friday, with other local favorites Dehd, Footballhead, Harm’s Way, and Knuckle Puck taking the stage over the rest of the weekend. With music being the key ingredient, Riot Fest also features games, a Ferris wheel, a wrestling ring, and a wedding chapel for those looking to tie the knot. 

Dehd 

Photo by Colin Gahungu

A free wrestling match for all attendees to view

Photo by Colin Gahungu

This year’s lineup attracted punks, families, emos, newlyweds, alts, goths, and friends from all over the globe, ranging from London, Canada, and Mexico, which contributed to a 50,000-person per day turnout. While Riot Fest has kept rock rolling in Chicago for two decades, last year the fest announced a move from the North Lawndale neighborhood’s Douglass Park to Seatgeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois. The move was brought on by comments from Chicago residents on the festival’s location, a nearly $300,000 increase in permit cost, and tensions with the Chicago Park District Board. Over the years, the primary cons of Riot Fest have commonly been associated with traffic issues, limited use of Douglass Park during September and October, and noise disruptions affecting residents and patients in nearby hospitals.

A happy couple on their way to see Alkaline Trio

Photo by Colin Gahungu

The move was reversed two months after the announcement through behind-the-scenes discussions and new commitments in community engagement and park reinvestment as part of the permit’s requirements. Alderman Monique Scott also supported the festival’s return, stating, “Most of the people that spoke against Riot Fest, I have never seen you in my community.” Alderman Scott also noted that, “Independent and alternative cultural assets like Riot Fest invigorate our local economy by creating jobs, attracting tourism, supporting our youth, and providing a national stage for small businesses and artists from North Lawndale and Little Village.” With three days of punk paradise to get some perspective, I spoke with locals and attendees to see if the ripples of renegotiating terms were being felt yet among the fun.

Before the gates opened for day one, I took a stroll with a coffee that was too hot to sip to Saint Anthony Hospital. A walk from the festival grounds to the hospital was 11 minutes, and a comfort knowing that in a medical scenario, beyond the handfuls of EMTs at Riot Fest, help was not far at all. A C-Section Assistant at the hospital and multi-year Riot attendee confirmed that “anyone with a Saint Anthony hospital ID is let into Riot Fest for free.” Although he was unable to attend this year, he is happy to see that local organizations are considered for this weekend, whether to help in an emergency or to headbang to Knocked Loose. Recent reports have also mentioned that Riot Fest has turned all of its stage speakers away from the hospital and monitors noise levels throughout the weekend to limit patient irritation.

Three friends following GWAR’s blood-spraying set

Photo by Colin Gahungu

After moshing to Knuckle Puck’s 10th anniversary set for their debut album Copacetic, I spoke with Alison Solano, who was in attendance to celebrate her birthday with her three sons, Benjamin, Brody, and Austin. Since Riot began in 2005, Alison has attended five times. 

JF: What are some of your favorite parts of Riot Fest?

AS: Even though I wasn’t able to attend in its entirety in a long time because I’ve been popping out these three wonderful children, when I have, I have just loved the people watching, of course, but getting here early to discover some new music because I would never get turned onto these new bands otherwise because I simply have my bands that I have loved over the years and I don’t have the time. This is the way I do it because when you see a band live, it really engages you in a way that makes a big impression on you, because you feel it. You see them performing. You see their passion, and that’s the best part. So, of course, there’s the nostalgic element too, but it’s all of it. It’s so good. 

JF: Could you imagine this festival anywhere else?

AS: No. I’m so lucky to have it in my hometown and to be able to share it with my children.

JF: Do you think it’s a great time to take kids to? You have three boys here.

AS: Yes. I think it’s safe. They can see the bands from afar because of the screens. They see other kids like them here. A lot of people bring even younger children, and everyone is respectful to those who have families, so it’s great. I feel safe here, and it’s small enough to where it’s not so scary. If they did get lost, we have a meeting point that they could get to.

Alison, Brody, Austin, and Ben enjoying The Beach Boys

Photo by Colin Gahungu

JF: Who are you here to see? Two of your boys are here to see Weezer and Blink-182, but what about you?

AS: I’m here to see them too. Well, and Green Day. Those are my pop punk favorites, but an older punk band, Screeching Weasel, they’re from Chicago. There’s only one existing original member, but they’re playing the album My Brain Hurts in its entirety tomorrow, and that was my favorite album during high school. It’s fun for my kids to see that live because I play it at home. And of course, The Beach Boys, that’ll be so nostalgic for me. It ties with the music my parents listen to; I feel like it just ties us all together, you know?

JF: Yeah, they don’t do many fests now, The Beach Boys, so it’s really rare to see them here.

AS: Yeah, there was someone who was like I don’t know if I should see Dropkick Murphys or The Beach Boys. I’m like, hello! Even though they’re like who is John Stamos? I’m like ugh, I failed you. 

JF: John Stamos being the staple mascot of a music festival is, I don’t know, something unheard of. It’s a very Riot Fest thing.

AS: Yeah, it’s so niche. It’s like this cheesiness, but it’s just so cool… and I was telling the kids a lot of people dress like this every day…I’m taking a social psychology class and thinking about what I should wear to this show. What are other people going to be wearing? It’s like, just be comfortable…. it’s an occasion where you could feel your bad ass self or feel different to get whatever connects you to the music, and that’s the way people do that too.

A crowdsurfer passing over a sea of an audience

Photo by Colin Gahungu

JF: Were you aware of Riot Fest’s decision to change locations last year to Bridgeview before deciding to return to Douglass Park last year? Despite previous community concerns, do you think it was worth bringing the festival back?

AS: I do…a lot of people don’t like change if they’re not the ones choosing it. What Riot Fest does, the promoters and the managers of it, they really do a good job at setting expectations, like don’t be a jerk, and more than that. It’s all in their materials. If you live in a certain radius, you can come in advance, like bring your license and proof of address, then they’ll give you free tickets.

With Weezer playing their Voyage to the Blue Planet setlist to close out day two, the great march to the Pink Line began for most of us. As I got closer to the Kedzie Street station, a voice over a microphone proclaiming itself as the “Chicken Taco Man” grew louder. By the time I made it to the Chicken Taco Man, on the same block as the station, the aroma was magnetic. By the time I entered the line, it was already two houses down and quickly growing. From a church front porch, the Chicken Taco Man (Ron Ellis), along with his loved ones, keep the good vibes rolling with food, drinks, audience interaction, and a speaker blaring R&B classics. I spoke with Ron about what Riot Fest means to the community in between bites of the best chicken tacos I have ever tasted. 

JF: With Riot Fest almost leaving the neighborhood last year, how did you feel about that personally?

RE: I felt like that would have been a major loss for the North Lawndale community. Riot Fest is more than just a concert. This is an opportunity for everybody to come together, for entrepreneurs to make something of themselves, and for everybody to visit a new neighborhood… all kinds of people coming together and enjoying one another with peace, positivity, and love. We need Riot Fest in North Lawndale.

Ron Ellis (left) with a happy customer

Photo by Rick Busse

JF: Tell us a little about yourself. How long have you been vending during Riot Fest weekend? Do you do pop-ups anywhere else?

RE: My name is Ron Ellis of 1910 S Kedzie, right here at Kingdom Culture International Ministries. I am known as the Chicken Taco Man, your best friend. We’ve been doing this for nearly 10 years. We started with a success and the love that we’ve been getting, we are going to start some type of pop up. We got to keep this going. There’s too much love and too much fun, so we got to keep going. 

JF: Have you ever attended Riot Fest yourself?

RE: I have not made an appearance at Riot Fest, but we’re going to keep pushing. One way or another, Chicken Taco Man is going to be on that stage. Maybe next year! Riot Fest DM me, email me, do what y’all gotta do, send a smoke signal.

I befriended two brothers, Ozzy and Robert Alcaraz, on the way to the pit for Green Day’s closing set. They came all the way from Southern California to ring in Ozzy’s 23^rd birthday. As someone who rarely travels for concerts myself, I was eager to hear what about Riot Fest brought about their trip.

JF: What brought you to Riot Fest of all of the festivals you could have gone to this year? You’re a far way from home.

OA: September 20^th was my birthday, so I kind of decided to just make it a trip.

Ozzy (Left) and Robert (Right)

Photo by Justin Finley

JF: Who were you here to see? Had you heard of Riot Fest before?

OA: The biggest band I wanted to see was Green Day. The band that was not too big was Citizen. Citizen was really good; it was definitely worth the wait. This was my first time hearing about it, and it was through one of Citizen’s posts. I kind of just put one and one together. It was going to be on my birthday, so I was like, you know what? Why not?

JF: If you had to give anyone a few words of what to look forward to in Chicago when attending Riot Fest, what would you tell them?

OA: Honestly, I would tell them not to be scared to make the journey… The people are super nice and comforting. The people are very loving. No one’s here to judge, so just kind of do your thing. 

Following Riot Fest’s end, I accompanied Ozzy and Robert for their first Chicago handshake (on the house) and Italian beefs. It’s not common for me, at a concert, but I was happy to end this year’s fest making two new friends.

With the loss of Pitchfork Music Festival last year, it seems that Chicago is happier than ever not to have to say goodbye to another weekend of tradition that adds to the character of our Midwest music scene. 

By Justin Finley