We’re back. Nearly certain Riot Fest 2021 is going to happen. And nearly certain the final lineup release is imminent. It must’ve been quite a different process to book bands this time around. Some are still not touring. Some are not traveling international. And some bands might not have outlasted COVID. Anyway, the current lineup poster has two missing acts from the top line, one to replace My Chemical Romance and another to join Smashing Pumpkins, Pixies, and RTJ. And six more blanks in the sweet spot on the poster from lines two to five, plus a bunch more below.
Here are my predictions (of which 75% are sure to be wrong) to fill in the poster.
Headliners:
Nine Inch Nails: Was a headliner in 2017 (and fricking kicked arse), plus is playing two shows with Pixies in Cleveland the week after Riot Fest. Pretty sure.
Devo: Headlining Punk Rock Bowling the following weekend. From the Midwest so fit in with Chicago and are the perfect legacy act that Riot Fest likes. Bucket list for me. Please.
Misfits: Previously headlined RiotFest, as well as Glenn Danzig has played. Replaced My Chemical Romance at the Aftershock festival in Sac so replacing them here could happen also.
AC/DC: Willed by our Charlie Brown. But makes sense. Riot Fest loves metal (remember Slayer) and Brian Johnson just appeared with Foo Fighters a few days ago.
Lower Lines on the Poster:
The Offspring: New album out, playing Aftershock. Would be super fun
Rise Against: From Chicago, touring late summer and skips Chicago.
NOFX: Backed out of Punk Rock Bowling, but are playing. Riot Fest would be a great rebound gig. They’d be fun just don’t take them seriously, Karen.
Descendents: Played 2019 but are filling in for NOFX in Vegas so they are touring.
All: Are 75% of Descendents, where Milo plays, All are never too far away.
Wolf Alice: Big wishlist for me. And could almost headline if RiotFest was in the UK. Have a new album, that’s all.
Menzingers: playing other festivals
Jeff Rosenstock: just because he’s cool and I want to see him
Frank Turner: just because he’s cool and I want to see him
Dropkick Murphys: New music
Bosstones: New music out, played in 2017
Body Count: playing other festivals and fit in the Riot Fest legacy act scene
Teenage Bottlerocket: another Charlie Brown wishlist, but they are playing other fests.
Streetlight Manifesto: We’ve never been to a Riot Fest without them.
Spanish Love Songs
Wonder Years
Machine Gun Kelly: just from message boards. Not a fan but this one is pretty much assured.
GWAR: always plays RiotFest
Andrew WK: always plays RiotFest