20 Causes To not Miss Riot Fest's Twentieth Anniversary

Riot Fest 2025 is only a few brief weeks away, and we may be the slightest bit excited to have a good time the occasion’s Twentieth anniversary. Taking place from September nineteenth by means of September twenty first at Douglass Park in Chicago, the weekend is already gearing as much as be a punk celebration for the ages. Okay, perhaps we’re just a little extra excited for it than we initially led on…

To train such pleasure, we’ve compiled 20 causes to not miss this 12 months’s version. Spoiler alert: considered one of them is the truth that we’re freely giving two weekend passes. Scroll on for extra data and the opposite 19 causes, or head right here to enter or right here to buy tickets for your self if you happen to simply can’t wait.

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In any other case, let’s get this occasion began.

20 Causes To not Miss Riot Fest’s Twentieth Anniversary

01. It’s the Fuckin’ Twentieth Anniversary!

It’s arduous to consider that in Riot Fest’s first iteration in 2005, they have been working out of native Chicago golf equipment, South by Southwest-style. Now, after narrowly avoiding a transfer out of Douglass Park final 12 months, it’s arduous to think about the pageant happening anyplace else; however whether or not Riot Fest is in an open discipline, a number of venues, or its occasional sister areas like Denver and Toronto, the occasion has by no means misplaced its energetic attraction. This 12 months marks the Twentieth anniversary of the pageant, and if you happen to’re feeling significantly sentimental about rising up, there are many bands to see that can be proper there with you. — Paolo Ragusa

02. 5 Phases of Enjoyable

Most festivals in 2025 have three phases, tops. Some have 4, however that fourth stage is just a little alcove for DJ or acoustic units. Some have 5, however that fifth one is only a Silent Disco, for some motive. Riot Fest has 5 full phases with kick-ass music enjoying the whole time. Okay, perhaps not the entire time, however in alternating intervals and all positioned inside a brief stroll of one another. What’s significantly pretty about having a surplus of performances areas means double the invention choices. If you happen to’re hitting up the pageant this month, be sure to take a gander at every of Riot Fest’s phases — you may simply hear your new favourite band for the primary time. — P. Ragusa

03. A Pop-Punk Headlining Trio for the Ages

Blink-182. Weezer. Inexperienced Day. These three names simply really feel proper when grouped collectively on Riot Fest invoice, don’t you suppose? They’ve undoubtedly every charted their very own distinctive path within the trendy rock panorama, particularly as they’ve gotten older — however all three are united of their shared anthems of angsty independence and their Peter Pan-like resistance to rising up. If you realize and love “All of the Small Issues” or “I Miss You,” you most likely additionally love “Say It Ain’t So” and “Basket Case,” too. Getting all 4 of these (after which some), dwell, in a single weekend? Signal me up. And talking of Weezer… — P. Ragusa

04. Weezer Is Taking part in the Blue Album

Outdated Weezer vs New Weezer stays a vital debate, however fortunately, Riot Fest has settled it for you this 12 months. The California energy pop stalwarts can be bringing the whole thing of their 1994 debut album for a particular play-through efficiency, that means you’ll get to listen to hits like “Undone (the Sweater Tune),” “Say It Ain’t So,” “My Title Is Jonas,” and “Buddy Holly” amidst beloved deep cuts like “Surf Wax America” and “Solely in Desires.” Prepare for an enormous, nostalgic Saturday night time singalong. — P. Ragusa

05. Maintain Regular Is Taking part in Separation Sunday

Weezer isn’t the one band that’s slated to tear by means of a beloved album front-to-back. In actual fact, nearly 20 artists will just do that, together with Alkaline Trio, The Pogues, The Entrance Bottoms, Helmet, Smoking Popes, and Unhealthy Faith. One we’re significantly excited for, although, is The Maintain Regular, who’ll carry out their seminal sophomore effort Separation Sunday in full. For that, Chicago most actually gained’t appear drained. — Jonah Krueger