After our Glasto-like festival fallow year of 2020 I thought I’d look ahead to 2021. And one of our go-to festivals has already announced the beginnings of their lineup. Riot Fest 2021 is encouraging. The first wave was just announced, and it satisfies and leaves excitement for the second and final wave releases.
The headliners are absolutely perfect. They are solid enough to foreshadow some great bands for the second and final wave releases. But they set me up to be able to leave early and avoid the clusterfuck of Uber lines and get to an aftershow or Lou Malnatis. Two I’ve already seen enough times and don’t need to see them again, and two are interesting but not gonna keep me late. But that’s okay. I’ve heard it said before the strength of a festival is on the third line of the poster. I have to admit that Run The Jewels might be the one I’m most interested in seeing. Before you doubt me, remember that Rage tapped them to open their reunion tour. In Zach and Tom I trust…
Below that first line it gets better. There’s the token mix of emo/pop punk that Riot Fest will always have and that’s great. The bands that learned the guitar to Dookie or Enema of the State. Taking Back Sunday, The All-American Rejects, New Found Glory, Simple Plan, Mayday Parade. They all are sure to be fun live, though I may not be able to tell them apart.
There’s the stoner ska punk rock of Sublime and Dirty Heads. All we need is 311 and Pepper to be added for the second and final waves to complete the Chuckie quinella.
There are a couple acts sure to be a favorite of KJ’s. K.Flay, Meg Myers, Best Coast, and Beach Bunny. Especially Meg Myers.
There’s some legacy acts. Legacy is a nice way of saying we’re old. Acts that were popular in our youth. Circle Jerks reunion is a big deal and seeing them is almost a necessity. Old school punk from my high school days. Living Colour. I just want to hear Cult of Personality again. Vernon Reid on guitar and Corey Glover in his Body Glove wetsuit (from the video…I hope he’s not wearing it still). L7 were another of the sounds of the 90s. They kinda follow Bikini Kill in the Riot Grrrl vein, though I think they’re more grunge than punk. I saw them with Rancid a year or so ago and they still bring it. And Toots and The Maytals. Toots is probably 80 years old, so we won’t have this opportunity long. They had songs covered by The Clash and The Specials, two of my all time favorites. Need to see Toots just to kiss the ring and offer respect. And Hepcat and Fishbone. Fun sound. One cool and calm and one cool and frenetic. And there’s a place for both. I didn’t enjoy Fishbone at 2017 Riot Fest, but I’ve seen them since they reunited the original six and they’re so much more fun. And Jawbox harkens back to the hardcore punk scene of DC in the 80s.
And then there’s the “odd”, not that there’s anything wrong with that. Riot Fest does “odd” very well. And Gogol Bordello is odd. At one of our Lollas. They have the Russian lead singer, accordion player, and almost seem like a Cirque De Soleil meets punk act. Would be super cool as an aftershow or up close. We were way far away at the bandshell at Lolla and it didn’t do them justice. Another “odd” one is Coheed and Cambria. I’ve never listened to them but recognize their name showing up on many festival lineups. Reading about them and listening to them takes me to Rush’s 2112. The sound isn’t Rush, though the singer does have a little Geddy Lee in his voice. But they’re kinda prog rockish. Their songs are based on a science fiction comic book that the lead singer writes. I can’t explain it. You just need to hear it. Wouldn’t be surprised if they have a great show.
And there’s some newer punk. KJ and I saw SWMRS open for our friends FIDLAR at the Metro. I thought they were better than FIDLAR, and FIDLAR was great. Billie Joe’s son plays drums. PUP are Canadian Punks (oxymoron?) with a great sound. They are on the rise and should be seen. 7/23/20 UPDATE. SWMRS is cancelled maybe for good. And for good reason. Google “SWMRS” and “Joey Armstrong” and “Regrettes”. Basically, SWMRS made a big deal about being all inclusive and supporting women and then a story gets published where Joey (at best) sexually harassed the underage singer of the Regrettes. They’re done. And deservingly.
And there are more…and there will be more for the second and final wave announcements, which will lead to revisit my wish list post and an update. Speaking of soon, is it too soon to talk about September 2021. Maybe not. I need to get out of the house. The QuarantineFest was only good for four or five plays through….