CHICAGO, IL: Riot Fest organizers have finalized a spectacular lineup for the fest’s first-ever Thursday Preview Party: Patti Smith and Her Band and Alkaline Trio will join Morrissey on Thursday night, with additional sets from Joyce Manor (performing their self-titled 2011 debut), WDRL, and Kristeen Young. As for Sunday, The Flaming Lips will return to Riot Fest on Sunday, bringing the fest-favorites back to Douglass Park on September 19 to replace Pixies. Sunday attendees will also get into the Thursday Preview Party for free, with a host of freshly-announced perks included.
Thursday’s exclusive offerings will go beyond just performances: Riot Fest has mapped out a jam-packed itinerary of party favors, both off-kilter and completely on-brand, for its first-ever Preview Party. Those in attendance will be treated to free carnival rides all day, sideshow performers—including fire breathers and other daredevils—and special Thursday-only merchandise. Special activities will include an official Riot Fest Wedding Chapel, where an ordained minister will officiate weddings for any fans ready to tie the knot on festival grounds; an on-stage singing competition titled No, YOU Suck! which will feature Riot Mike and several special guests judging; and last but not least, the Riot Fest Twitter Person will be stationed in a dunk tank, offering fans the chance to send the fest’s elusive online devil for a swim.
With recent lineup changes affecting Sunday, September 19—Slipknot replacing Nine Inch Nails, and The Flaming Lips replacing Pixies—festival organizers want to continue to give Sunday ticket holders a little bonus for their patience through these changes. As thanks, Sunday ticket holders will receive a free ticket to the Thursday Preview Party, adding a huge list of bonuses for anyone planning on, or considering, attending. (VIP, Deluxe & Ultimate amenities will be fully offered for those ticket types on Thursday as well.)
These additions join a massive lineup for 2021 that includes Smashing Pumpkins, Coheed and Cambria, Lupe Fiasco, Run the Jewels, Machine Gun Kelly, Faith No More, Dropkick Murphys, Rancid, DEVO, Mr. Bungle, and more, with over 90 bands total performing September 16–19. Three-day and single-day tickets are on sale now, with daily schedules soon to follow. Those not invited for Thursday can purchase a charity ticket, available in limited quantities, with proceeds benefiting the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless and other local organizations.
Tickets: https://riotfest.org/chicago/tickets
Riot Fest: https://riotfest.org/lineup
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
MORRISSEY, ALKALINE TRIO, PATTI SMITH AND HER BAND, JOYCE MANOR (performing S/T), WDRL, KRISTEEN YOUNG
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
THE SMASHING PUMPKINS, COHEED AND CAMBRIA, LUPE FIASCO (performing The Cool),
NOFX, DIRTY HEADS, SUBLIME WITH ROME, CIRCLE JERKS, DINOSAUR JR., MOTION CITY
SOUNDTRACK, THRICE, CIRCA SURVIVE, MEG MYERS, THE LAWRENCE ARMS, BEACH
BUNNY, ANTI-FLAG, LIVING COLOUR, FISHBONE, ENVY ON THE COAST, THE SOUNDS,
AMIGO THE DEVIL, EYEDRESS, BEACH GOONS, MEET ME @ THE ALTAR, SERATONES,
RADKEY, KISSISSIPPI, JACKIE HAYES, OXYMORRONS, GIRLPUPPY, SEŃOR KINO
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
RUN THE JEWELS, FAITH NO MORE, DROPKICK MURPHYS, RANCID, TAKING BACK
SUNDAY, VIC MENSA, GOGOL BORDELLO, MAYDAY PARADE, BAYSIDE, STATE CHAMPS,
THE MIGHTY MIGHTY BOSSTONES, ANDREW W.K., BEST COAST, BIG FREEDIA, GWAR,
HEPCAT, LES SAVY FAV, THE BRONX, FOUR YEAR STRONG, CITIZEN, FUCKED UP,
JOYWAVE, NIGHT MOVES, MAN ON MAN, THE BOLLWEEVILS, ACTION/ADVENTURE,
GANSER, JUST FRIENDS, THE ORPHAN THE POET, BEARINGS, SPIDER, DEVON KAY & THE
SOLUTIONS
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
SLIPKNOT, MACHINE GUN KELLY, THE FLAMING LIPS, DEVO, MR. BUNGLE, NEW FOUND
GLORY, SIMPLE PLAN, THE GHOST INSIDE, BODY COUNT, THURSDAY, K.FLAY, KNUCKLE
PUCK, HEALTH, THE BLED, MOTHER MOTHER, 3OH!3, ALEX G, FEVER 333,
KENNYHOOPLA, BLEACHED, THE GORIES, FACS, RATBOYS, BLACKSTARKIDS, THE
CLOCKWORKS, PET SYMMETRY, MELKBELLY, GYMSHORTS, THE WEAK DAYS,
AIRSTREAM FUTURES