We don’t always get to see the bands we book, so someone out there’s gotta for us. Here are our must-see’s for the weekend.
HANNAH
Twenty One Pilots
I used to see this band in small venues so I’m super stoked to see how far they’ve come and finally see them on a Riot Fest stage.
The All-American Rejects
I’ve been obsessed with this band since I was young and I haven’t seen them in so long. I’m so excited.
Pixies
I picked a Pixies tattoo from our Good Mood flash sheet this year so I’ve got to show it off during their set.
3Oh!3
Who isn’t excited to hear “DONTTRUSTME” live?!
Morrissey
My dad is a super fan so by nature, I am too.
Afroman
This set will be crazy.
Pierce The Veil
Another band from my childhood that I’m so excited to see on our main stage.
Alanis Morissette
I don’t think this one needs an explanation.. this will be SICK.
The Format
I’M SO EXCITED THEY’RE BACK!
Insane Clown Posse
Obviously.
Cartel
For literal years we’ve been trying to get this band on the lineup. I can’t wait to see it actually happen
CAROLINE
Gogol Bordello
Social Distortion
Angine De Poitrine
Descendents
Everything Sucks album play.
Elvis Costello & The Imposters
MO
Joey Valence & Brae
I missed them the last time they played Riot Fest and I refuse to miss out on them again. Gotta support my fellow Filipino, Brae!!
Fleshwater
Newest album rips. Love seeing them rip!!!
Pixies
Speaking of Filipinos, gotta make sure I see Tito Joey on guitar.
Cartel
Undoubtedly my most anticipated set of the weekend, everyone in the office knows because I’ve been begging for them to play for nearly a decade. I know the whole discography front to back because they STAYED playing on my iPod. Can’t wait to see them play Deep South.
Mom Jeans
Love u longtime MJ.
Haywire
Gotta do it, y’know? For Bo, Forever.
JAKE
Less Than Jake
I’ve seen Less Than Jake. You’ve (probably) seen Less Than Jake. But have you ever had a bad time watching Less Than Jake?
Foxy Shazam
Foxy always puts on such an entertaining show! Chaotic, fun, and if you’re lucky, you might even get to see frontman, Eric Nally, scarf down a fistful of cigarettes.
This is Lorelei
Nate is a brilliant songwriter and musician. You don’t have to take my word for it, though – go see for yourself why artists and bands such as MJ Lenderman, Waxahatchee, Snail Mail, Jeff Tweedy, and even Hayley Williams/Power Snatch heard Nate’s songs and wanted to put their own spin on them. There’s a new album dropping on September 10th to boot – don’t miss the set on Sunday, Sept. 20!
The Format
I was a big Format fan during their initial run before they went on hiatus in 2008, but I never got to see them live. Their new album, Boycott Heaven, is a great continuation for them, and I’m excited to finally hear some of these songs live!
Dead To Me
Dead To Me absolutely rip, and if you haven’t seen them before, you’re in for a treat! Swingin’ Utters fans might recognize Jack Dalrymple, who also plays guitar and sings in Dead To Me. Don’t sleep on these guys!
Twin Peaks
It is always gratifying watching a Chicago band grow from their first Riot Fest performance in 2013 into a festival stage closer! I’ve enjoyed watching Twin Peaks blossom over the years, and seeing them reach this point feels well deserved. They’ve earned this one – don’t miss your chance to be a part of it!
Patti Smith, Iggy Pop, Elvis Costello – We are truly lucky to still have the chance to see these legends on a festival stage. Go see them. You won’t regret it.
MARC
Willam Shatner and the *uckers
This is going to be one for the ages. Lightner my Shatner please.
Sugar
Copper Blue is an all time favorite album and I have not seen the band on the reunion. This will be special..
PiL
As a young punk PiL was one of the first shows I ever attended. Looking forward to hearing that voice again
Mariachi El Bronx
The Bronx + Mariachi? Say no more!
Rise Against
I have been a fan since the days of basement shows and bowling alleys. Going to be a ripper!
LUBA
The Format
The Suicide Machines
Destruction by Definition album play.
Gogol Bordello
Tool
JEREMY
GWAR
They’ve never played Riot Fest before and I am excited to see them for the first time. Ever.
Patti Smith
Because she’s Patti fucking Smith.
Foxy Shazam
I enjoy their music.
Tricky
Tricky is amazing and I have never seen him.
DAN
There are so many good bands to choose from this year! Saturday is the day I’m most excited about, but there are bands I’d like to catch across all three lineups. Here are my must-watch bands:
Iggy Pop
I’ve never seen Iggy live! It’s time to fix that.
Rise Against
I have been a fan of RA since The Unraveling and even in the years leading up to Rise Against’s formation, seeing Tim McIlrath’s band, Baxter, at the Knights of Columbus in Arlington Heights in the late 90s.
Motion City Soundtrack
MCS are one of my favorite pop/punk/emo/indie bands of all time. I was fortunate to catch their album release show at Cobra Lounge last year, the night before Riot Fest. The new stuff fits in perfectly with the rest of their catalog and to me, feels like a natural evolution for Motion City.
TOOL
Every year, there is one act that I make my reward for the end of Riot Fest season. Our team works hard all year round to make Riot Fest happen, but we ramp up quite a bit around lineup announcement time and then in the months leading up to the big weekend. Tool will be my reward for all the hard work I put in this year, and I will be celebrating in the pit with all the other OGTs!
Angine De Poitrine
Like many, I was made aware of this Canadian duo from their viral KEXP live performance video. Who knew that one of the breakout bands of 2026 would be an instrumental duo that plays live-looped microtonal music in crazy costumes? This speaks to my inner nerd, and I gotta see it live.
Alanis Morissette
I grew up in the 90s and Alanis was EVERYWHERE right around the time that I was discovering MTV, Q101 and all things alternative rock music. Jagged Little Pill had SIX #1 singles! I’ve never had the chance to catch Alanis live until now, and I’m looking forward to the massive communal sing-a-long.
Taking Back Sunday
I’ve seen TBS live many times, but this time around, they will be treating us to a full album play of Louder Now, with Louder Now era guitarist and songwriter Fred Mascherino back in the band! This will be such a treat.
ASHLYN
Destroy Boys
I haven’t had the chance to see them yet, but now’s my chance! It’s also great to see more and more non-men in the lineup!
Saturdays At Your Place
I’ve only seen SAYP in smaller, more intimate rooms. I’m excited to see them in a festival setting!
Pierce the Veil
As a long time fan, I lost track of how many times I’ve seen PTV. Nevertheless, there’s something special about seeing my favorite band from when I was 13 years old, headline the fest I work for. Feels pretty full circle!
[yarpp]
