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Riot Fest 2025 Previews

Jawbreaker, Green Day, and GWAR

Jawbreaker

Jawbreaker is a seminal punk rock band from San Francisco, formed in 1986. Known for their emotionally raw lyrics and gritty sound, they helped shape the ’90s emo and punk scenes with albums like 24 Hour Revenge Therapy and Dear You. After a long hiatus, they reunited in recent years and continue to draw passionate crowds.

What to Expect at a Jawbreaker Show

  • Intense, heartfelt performances with a mix of punk energy and emotional depth.
  • Fan favorites like “Boxcar,” “Accident Prone,” “Kiss the Bottle,” and “Jet Black.”
  • A crowd that’s deeply connected to the music—expect singalongs, nostalgia, and a strong sense of community.
  • A no-frills, authentic punk vibe with tight musicianship and minimal stage theatrics.

Green Day

Green Day is one of the most iconic punk rock bands of the last three decades, known for their explosive energy, politically charged lyrics, and massive hits like “Basket Case,” “American Idiot,” and “Boulevard of Broken Dreams.”

What to Expect at a Green Day Show in 2025

Their 2025 World Tour is in support of their latest album, Saviors, and it’s a full-scale stadium and festival experience. Here’s what fans can expect:

  • High-octane performances with a mix of classic hits and new tracks from Saviors.
  • Massive stage production featuring pyrotechnics, video backdrops, and crowd interaction.
  • Singalong anthems and moments of punk rebellion, especially during songs like “Holiday” and “Know Your Enemy.”
  • A setlist that spans their entire career—from Dookie to Revolution Radio and beyond.

GWAR

GWAR is a satirical heavy metal band formed in Richmond, Virginia, in 1984. They’re best known for their elaborate science fiction-themed mythology, grotesque costumes, and theatrical live performances. The band members portray intergalactic warriors and monsters, with stage names like Oderus Urungus and Balsac the Jaws of Death. Musically, GWAR blends thrash metal, punk, and shock rock, often with humorous and politically charged lyrics.

Live Show Description

A GWAR concert is more than just music—it’s a full-blown theatrical spectacle. Here’s what to expect:

  • Costumes & Characters: Band members wear massive, grotesque latex and foam costumes resembling aliens, demons, and mutants.
  • Fake Blood & Gore: The show features copious amounts of fake blood, slime, and other fluids sprayed onto the audience using props like decapitated heads and disemboweled bodies.
  • Satirical Violence: They often “slay” celebrity or political effigies on stage in over-the-top, cartoonish fashion.
  • Audience Participation: Fans (often called “bohabs”) come prepared to get drenched and be part of the chaos.
  • Multimedia & Props: Expect giant monsters, elaborate sets, and a storyline that ties the performance together.

It’s part metal concert, part horror-comedy, and part performance art—definitely a unique experience.

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Riot Fest 2025 Previews

Weird Al and Inhaler

Weird Al Jankovic

“Weird Al” Yankovic is a Grammy-winning musical satirist known for his clever parodies of pop hits, original comedy songs, and wildly entertaining live shows. His work spans decades, with classics like “Eat It,” “Amish Paradise,” “White & Nerdy,” and “The Saga Begins.”

What to Expect at a Weird Al Show in 2025

His “Bigger & Weirder 2025 Tour” is a full-production multimedia comedy rock spectacle. Here’s what fans can look forward to:

  • Iconic parodies and fan favorites, including songs he’s never performed live before.
  • A super-sized band: Al’s longtime crew is joined by four additional musicians for a richer sound.
  • Multimedia elements: Expect costume changes, video screens, and theatrical flair.
  • Special guest: The tour features Puddles Pity Party, a singing clown known for emotional covers and dramatic performances.
  • Family-friendly fun: His shows are high-energy, hilarious, and suitable for all ages.

Inhaler

Inhaler is a Dublin-based indie rock band formed in 2012, fronted by Elijah Hewson (son of U2’s Bono). They’re known for their anthemic sound, blending post-punk revival with modern indie rock, and have gained a strong following with albums like It Won’t Always Be Like This and Cuts & Bruises.

What to Expect at an Inhaler Show

  • Atmospheric, high-energy performances with soaring vocals and tight instrumentation.
  • A mix of fan favorites like “My Honest Face,” “Cheer Up Baby,” and “Love Will Get You There”.
  • Engaging stage presence, especially from Elijah, who channels a charismatic, emotionally charged performance style.
  • A crowd that’s a mix of indie rock fans and younger audiences discovering them through festival circuits.
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Riot Fest 2025 Previews

H2O and Screeching Weasel

H2O

H2O is a New York-based hardcore punk band formed in 1994, known for their energetic live shows, positive lyrics, and strong DIY ethos. They blend melodic punk with hardcore intensity, often touching on themes like loyalty, perseverance, and unity.

What to Expect at an H2O Show

  • High-energy performances with sing-along anthems like “Nothing to Prove”, “One Life One Chance”, and “5 Yr Plan”.
  • A tight-knit crowd vibe—their shows often feel like a community gathering, with lots of stage diving, moshing, and crowd participation.
  • Straightforward, no-frills stage presence—they let the music and message do the talking.
  • A mix of classic tracks and newer material, especially from their more recent albums.

Screeching Weasel

Screeching Weasel is a legendary punk rock band from Chicago, formed in 1986 and led by frontman Ben Weasel. Known for their fast, melodic sound and irreverent lyrics, they helped define the pop-punk genre and influenced bands like Green Day and Blink-182.

What to Expect at a Screeching Weasel Show

  • Classic punk energy: Fast-paced songs, tight performances, and a no-nonsense attitude.
  • Fan favorites: Expect staples like “Cool Kids,” “My Right,” “I Wanna Be a Homosexual,” and “The Science of Myth.”
  • Crowd interaction: Ben Weasel is known for his sharp wit and direct engagement with the audience.
  • DIY punk vibe: The shows are raw, loud, and unapologetically old-school.
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Riot Fest 2025 Previews

Weezer and Jack White

Weezer

Weezer is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1992, known for their catchy melodies, quirky lyrics, and a blend of alternative rock and power pop. Their debut self-titled album, commonly known as the “Blue Album” (1994), includes iconic tracks like “Buddy Holly,” “Say It Ain’t So,” and “Undone – The Sweater Song.” Over the years, they’ve built a loyal fanbase with a mix of nostalgic hits and experimental albums.

About the Blue Planet Tour (2025)

Officially titled “The Voyage to the Blue Planet Tour,” this tour celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Blue Album. Here’s what to expect:

  • Full performance of the Blue Album every night.
  • A setlist packed with fan favorites, deep cuts, and rarities.
  • The tour spans North America and Europe, with stops at major festivals and venues.

It’s a nostalgic, high-energy show designed for both longtime fans and newcomers. Expect a mix of heartfelt singalongs, quirky visuals, and a celebration of one of the most beloved albums in ’90s rock.

Jack White

Jack White is a genre-defying musician known for his raw energy, inventive guitar work, and deep roots in blues, garage rock, and punk. He rose to fame with The White Stripes, and has since built a diverse catalog through solo work and bands like The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather.

What to Expect at a Jack White Live Show (2025)

Jack White’s “No Name Tour” in 2025 is a full-throttle experience. Here’s what fans can expect:

  • Unpredictable Setlists: No two shows are the same. He mixes hits like “Seven Nation Army” and “Lazaretto” with deep cuts and new material from his latest album No Name.
  • High-Energy Performance: Expect blistering guitar solos, spontaneous jams, and a tight backing band that feeds off the crowd’s energy.
  • No Phones Policy: Many of his shows use Yondr pouches to create a phone-free environment, encouraging full immersion in the music.
  • Visuals & Atmosphere: The stage design is often minimalist but moody, with dramatic lighting and vintage gear that reflect his analog aesthetic.
  • Musical Versatility: He switches between instruments—guitar, piano, drums—and genres, from bluesy ballads to punk rock anthems.

It’s a raw, electric, and often emotional ride—perfect for fans of authentic, no-frills rock and roll.

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Riot Fest 2025 Previews

Agnostic Front and Senses Fail

Agnostic Front

Agnostic Front is a pioneering hardcore punk band from New York City, formed in 1980. They are widely credited with helping define the New York Hardcore (NYHC) scene and were instrumental in the development of crossover thrash, blending hardcore punk with thrash metal intensity.

What to Expect at an Agnostic Front Live Show:

  • Relentless energy: Their shows are fast, aggressive, and full of raw power—expect circle pits, stage dives, and a crowd that’s fully engaged.
  • Hardcore anthems: Setlists often include classics like “Victim in Pain,” “Gotta Go,” “For My Family,” and “Crucified.”
  • Old-school spirit: Their performances are rooted in the DIY ethos and community-driven energy of early hardcore.
  • Tight musicianship: Despite the chaos, the band is razor-sharp live, with frontman Roger Miret and guitarist Vinnie Stigma leading the charge.

Their shows are a must for fans of hardcore punk—intense, authentic, and deeply rooted in the genre’s history.

Senses Fail

Senses Fail is a post-hardcore/emo band from Ridgewood, New Jersey, formed in 2001. Fronted by Buddy Nielsen, the band is known for blending emotional vulnerability with aggressive punk and hardcore elements. Over the years, they’ve evolved from early screamo roots into a more melodic, introspective sound while maintaining their raw intensity.

What to Expect at a Senses Fail Live Show:

  • High emotional energy: Their performances are cathartic, with Buddy Nielsen pouring everything into his vocals—whether screaming or singing.
  • Fan-favorite anthems: Expect a mix of early 2000s emo/post-hardcore hits like “Buried a Lie,” “Rum Is for Drinking, Not for Burning,” and “Calling All Cars”, along with newer material.
  • Crowd connection: Their shows often feel personal and communal, with fans singing along to every word.
  • Dynamic setlists: They balance heavy breakdowns with melodic choruses, appealing to both old-school fans and newer listeners.
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