To help celebrate our upcoming 20th, here are some of our favorite Riot Fest sets from the last 20 years.
HANNAH
THE CURE – 2023
My first time seeing one of the most legendary bands ever, I had waited so long for it! I’ve listened to The Cure since I was a child with my dad, it was a great time to have him there with me.
PARAMORE – 2017
One of my favorite bands of all time and the most fun set. I’d do a lot for Hayley Williams.
FALL OUT BOY – 2013
My first ever Riot Fest to see one of my favorite bands, 18 year old me was so excited. Also, honorable mention to their 2024 set, just as amazing.
OLIVER TREE – 2024
He’s so entertaining and funny, you just want to watch him for hours.
BLINK-182 – 2013
Same reasoning as FOB and just as epic.
RIOT MIKE
NAKED RAYGUN REUNION – 2006
This is one of my favorite Riot Fest years because, I mean, it’s Naked-Fucking-Raygun. I’ll have to tell you about me breaking my ribs stage-diving at Cobra at a Naked Raygun show sometime.
DANZIG LEGACY – 2011
I grew up listening to Danzig. This three-chapter performance hit it out of the park for me as a fan.
MISFITS REUNION – 2016
It’s the motherfucking Misfits.
DESCENDENTS – 2014
The Descendents’ performance was fucking incredible.
MARC
THE REPLACEMENTS – 2013
One of my all time favorite bands. Such a powerful set. My daughter jokes that it was the happiest she had ever seen me.
THE MISFITS – 2016
I wasn’t fortunate enough to see the band the first time around. Seeing Glenn, Jerry, and Dale together. Incredible.
COREY FELDMAN – 2023
Three words…The Comeback Kid.
MORRISSEY – 2021
A very special performance. The band was in top form. Perfect setlist. And to be back to Riot after 2020. A set I’ll never forget.
MO
THE WONDER YEARS – 2018
(Warning: Sappy) This band got me through a lot; they still do. Seeing them perform just as the sun was setting behind the ferris wheel will be permanently seared into my brain. It was a memory for adult Mo and for younger Mo; one of those full-circle moments that reminds you why you work in music to begin with.
WU-TANG CLAN – 2019
36 Chambers is one of my favorite albums of theirs, so having an album play was unreal. Wu-Tang Clan surely ain’t nothing to fuck with.
PARAMORE – 2017
Everyone in this office already knows how I kiss the ground Hayley Williams walks on. It was a perfect 13-song set. If I think about this set too much I’ll start crying. I lost my voice the next day.
HONORABLE MENTION: SINCERE ENGINEER (CORNDOG PIT) – 2022
I think this set was a testament to just how fucking creative and fun our fans can be. The first inaugural corn dog pit was entirely fan-driven and everyone had so much of a good time, they did it again! Shoutout to you all for always finding a way to make your Riot Fest experience your own.
JEN
DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE (performing Trasatlanticism) x THE POSTAL SERVICE (performing Give Up) – 2023
Hands down, winner. I watched this one from the soundboard and basically had an out of body experience. I have been listening to both of those albums religiously for the past 20 years so it was super nostalgic and special.
THE B-52s (from the Cherry Picker) – 2019
I’m scared of heights, but it was completely worth it to face that fear in order to be dangling above the crowd during Love Shack. Surreal.
PATTI SMITH > BIKINI KILL – 2019
Both of these sets back to back on the Riot Stage in 2019 just felt really iconic, like I was meant to be there.
HONORABLE MENTION: HUGE EUGE – 2024
Scream-singing “I’m on a pacemaker, I’m on a pacemaker” (lyrics from The Pacemaker Boogie, Pt. 2 – look it up) with all my Box Office crew buddies in the rain to kick off the last day of Riot Fest was absolutely the vibes boost we needed. I will never forget that performance.
LUBA VASILIK
Less Than Jake – Secret Show at AAA (2010)
AAA will forever hold a special place in my heart, and if you’ve had the privilege of experiencing a show there, you’ll know exactly why. Tucked away in Wicker Park, it was an unassuming loft with a built-in stage, custom Red Bull bar, and even a jacuzzi. It felt like you were attending a kegger at your friend’s house party, except your favorite band was playing in the next room. Great vibe, intimate crowd, probably breaking the law – but an amazing time all around.
Descendents – Riot Fest East in Philadelphia (2011) – There was a lot of excitement and gratitude in having the recently reunited Descendents perform at the first outdoor installment of Riot Fest. With close friends, colleagues, and local bands like Naked Raygun and Shot Baker making the trip, watching the show surrounded by my favorite people made the experience even that much more special. An unexpected firework show during the set was the cherry on top.
The Academy Is… (2015) – I’ve always had a few personal band suggestions that I like to gently nudge—and probably annoy—the booking team with. TAI was one I’d been hoping for years, so when they reunited at RF 2015, it was pretty great. It was the first set I got to watch in it’s entirety, enjoying every song off Almost Here.
Gogol Bordello (2022) – Gogol Bordello’s tribute to Ukraine was a memorable moment for my family and me. While every Gogol show is packed with high energy, this performance was especially powerful – full of emotion and a passionate call for solidarity.
Huge Euge (2024) – I had so much fun, I lost my voice.
JAKE
THE MIGHTY MIGHT BOSSTONES @ CONGRESS THEATER – 2010
This was the first Riot Fest I ever attended! I remember that stacked day started with The Swellers and had a bunch of great bands all day (Snapcase, Less Than Jake, and Pennywise to name a few!) with The Mighty Mighty Bosstones closing things out. The show was a blast and was an awesome introduction to the world of Riot Fest for me.
MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK (FAREWELL SHOW) @ METRO – 2016
As festival staff, we don’t always get to catch many sets at the fest. Lucky for me though, Motion City Soundtrack decided to play their last show ever on Sunday, September 18, 2016 as a Late Night show at Metro. The show, obviously, did not end up being their last show ever as their hiatus was relatively short lived and they returned to the stage in 2019, but the band left everything they had in them on stage that night. The 36-song set spanned over 3 hours as fans were treated to every hit from their catalog, deep cuts, former members jumping in for a song or two; it was insane. What I found to be perhaps the most special part of the show though, was the singer, Justin Pierre, talking to and sharing stories with his parents, who were in attendance. It was truly something special.
HUGE EUGE – 2024
Holy moly…I mean, did YOU catch the Huge Euge set? He’s allegedly on a pacemaker (I’m skeptical), he’s got 3 first names, AND has the hookup for Half-Priced Apps?! Honestly though, the set was a blast and it really set the day off right, despite the drizzly day.
DAN
THE BRONX – 2016
I showed up early to hear the singer ask the crowd “ever have your ass kicked at noon?,” and, by the end of the set, I could proudly say yes. The highlight for me was when the band started playing the intro to their mosh pit staple “History’s Stranglers,” and the singer stood in the middle of the crowd. When the music kicked in, the entire crowd rushed him, and one of the craziest most pits I have ever seen broke out.
NINE INCH NAILS – 2017
Hearing the entire crowd quietly sing along to “Hurt” was the first moment that I felt like I was part of something extraordinary as an employee of Riot Fest. NIN’s 2022 set was just as amazing, too.
COHEED AND CAMBRIA – 2012
You never forget your first time. This was my first Riot Fest, and I’ll always remember watching Coheed with my brother. When the band started the opening riff to “Welcome Home,” we both gave each other a knowing look. We knew what had to be done. We never had a choice. We ran into the pit as quickly as possible to join the party. Finally, there was an outdoor music festival for weirdos like me. Welcome Home, indeed.
HONORABLE MENTION: ST. VINCENT – 2024
If you were there, you know.
RIOT FEST TWITTER GUY
Merle Haggard (2015), Pixies/Peter Hook – Joy Division set (2013), The Cure (2023).
The Related Rabbit Hole
