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A Weekend of Music in Chicago, curated.  Riot Fest 2022

Alright.  We have the schedule.  And as almost always there are conflicts.  And almost always, there’s at least one big one.  It also leaves us with a couple other questions.  And some decisions.

First, the big conflict puts my #1 act against my #3 act.  I’m still scarred by Rancid vs. Descendents conflict or 2019.  How can you put two acts against each other with probably the same fan base?  This one isn’t as egregious, but Front Bottoms (#1) vs Bad Religion (#3) hurts.  And I’ll choose Front Bottoms. 

Another ponderous sin is that The Joy Formidable set is only 30 minutes.  That’s crazy for an established act.  I know they are short because of the Ukraine Tribute.  But still….

Anyway, here’s a curation of the weekend activities.  Guaranteed to go astray for time to fetch refreshments or a cool shady spot.  But it’s a start.

Friday

  • 1pm: LS Dunes (probably too early to make but this supergroup’s first show will probably be one to remember)
  • 305pm: Lagwagon (alternative is Anberlin at 315pm)
  • 4pm: Jeff Rosenstock (bucket list will not miss this)
  • 515pm: Descendents (can’t miss also after getting a drink or two after Jeff R)
  • 615pm: The Wonder Years (last half of set)
  • 730pm: Bleachers (first half of set)
  • 8pm: Marky Ramone (on the small Drakulas stage with everyone under the age of 40 at My Chem)

Saturday

  • 2pm: The Joy Formidable (gotta be there)
  • 230pm: Ukraine Tribute
  • 250pm: Fear or 3pm: The Get Up Kids…a decision to make.  Both with full album plays.  Flip a coin or see both.
  • 425pm: 7 Seconds.  Possibly a look at Alexisonfire.  Not a bad choice
  • 515pm: The Menzingers
  • 615pm: The Front Bottoms.  Gotta be there.  Start memorizing lyrics for the sing alongs.
  • 725pm: Bauhaus.  Classic.  Never will be able to see them again.  At dusk.  Must see
  • 730pm: GWAR….but we may need to see the last half of GWAR.
  • 10pm: Jimmy Eat World aftershow at the Metro

Sunday

  • 1pm: The Linda Lindas.  I know it’s early but listen to them.  They sound great!
  • 2pm: Jawbox
  • 325pm: Lunachicks
  • 415pm: Polica (and maybe check out Coolio and Ganster’s Paradise)
  • 5pm: Jimmy Eat World (or others depending on how good they were the night before)
  • 605pm: Sleater-Kinney
  • 710pm: Yeah Yeah Yeahs
  • 815pm: Nine Inch Nails.  Such a strong live show.  Can we make it this late on the final day?  Especially if we start early?
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Aftershow thoughts

Friday is the sweet spot for aftershows….early enough in the weekend to make it through the night. For this year, The Maine at Bottom Lounge jumps out…it’s a cool venue with pinball. But I need to listen more to The Maine (they’re from Tempe for godsakes). The Get Up Kids at the Chop Shop (from the pizza party last year) may be good too. Anberlin at Reggie’s is also considerable. All of the Metro shows are big deals but I’m not sure we need to pull that off, but Jimmy Eat World at Metro Saturday will be a KKJ bet. Also for Saturday, Thursday at Reggies is ponderous. And I know we won’t pull Sunday, but Jeff Rosenstock was on my wish list. And it’s the Bottom Lounge. Cobra, always a favorite venue for its walking distance has PVRIS (meh…) and Jawbox (maybe).

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Riot Fest ’22 – The Aftershows?

If history proves correct, we’re close to getting out Riot Fest Late Night (aftershows) lineup.  And as we’ve seen before it can be a game changer; from discovering new bands to seeing someone in a more intimate setting to compensating those dreaded scheduling conflicts that are bound to occur.  Every year there’s a pretty stout slate of shows.  And they’re at some of the coolest venues…Cobra, Reggies, Bottom, Concord.  But what are the shows you’re hoping for?  And no, you’re not gonna get Nine Inch Nails at the Cobra.  And this year we have a sure fire bet for Friday or Saturday.  It would take a great lineup for both.  And for Sunday…we’re talking Green Day at the Metro kinda show.  Here’s what I’d like to see.  These are sure fire we’ll make it work:

  • Descendents
  • Jeff Rosenstock
  • Marky Ramone
  • Bad Religion
  • The Front Bottoms
  • The Joy Formidable

These are would be great if no other options:

  • Rocket From the Crypt
  • Wonder Years
  • Boston Manor
  • Menzingers
  • Skating Polly
  • The Maine
  • Real Friends
  • Bombpops

Of course there are others that would be good but I’ll need to do some research.  These are top of mind knee jerk.  And also the venue has a lot to do with it…is it close…does it have late night Mexican food right down the block….does it have a rooftop bar…does it have pinball?

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Aftershow Ideas

100% the aftershows have been some of the best times at Lolla and RiotFest.  But this year there isn’t anything that jumps out from the official aftershow schedule.  There is one that is a little interesting on Friday and another unofficial aftershow on Saturday.  Read the options and let me know what you think.

Friday

Motion City Soundtrack at the Concord.  Motion City Soundtrack are a pop punk/emo band straight away.  Which means guitars and melodies.  They play earlier on Friday at Riot Fest.  Why should we see them?  They’re good.  They’re at the Concord which is the site of the famous Kyle-sadface-with-key photo at the Violent Femmes.  Why shouldn’t we?  We probably want to stay to the end of Smashing Pumpkins on Friday which may make it tough to get to the Concord, however they probably won’t start until midnight.  BTW, the Concord is about 2 miles directly down Milwaukee Ave from our Airbnb.  Tickets are $34.

Saturday

This one needs some explaining.  Every year for the past 5 or so years there has been a “Pop Punk Pizza Party” on the Saturday of Riot Fest.  A couple of local bands play plus one surprise band shows up.  The surprise is a lower tier Riot Fest band that they can’t market because of conflicts with Riot Fest.  But it’s popular band. What it has going for it?  Saturday with Run The Jewels doesn’t seem to be a night we’d stay late.  Admission is only $24 and includes a free slice of pizza and a bunch of hot sauce samples.  And it’s about a mile from our Airbnb right down Milwaukee Ave.  It seems like we might already be roaming for pizza at that time anyway.

Here’s the website: https://dice.fm/event/qm3mx-pop-punk-pizza-party-with-super-secret-band-18th-sep-chop-shop-chicago-tickets?pid=bb159b4e&_branch_match_id=963526725337063478

And cut and paste from the site:

Welcome to Pop Punk Pizza Party VI - The People's Pizza Party! We're back with a vengeance at Chop Shop for a bigger, better, spicier rager to celebrate all things Soothsayer. Pizza? Check. Pop punk? Check. High fives? Always. Partying for a good cause? You betcha. This year we'll be donating all ticket proceeds to The People's Pizza Party, an incredible direct action group formed by some of the best people Chicago's punk scene has to offer, who provide food and supplies to the houseless community. After we pay the bands and delivery guy, of course. Each ticket will include a full slice of pizza (vegetarian, vegan, and carnivore options) and unlimited hot sauce tasting. Additional slices will be made available for purchase after 10pm, with all proceeds continuing to benefit the amazing work of People's Pizza Party. Come happy, come hungry, and come to party.
  • SUPER SECRET BAND
  • SECRET BAND
  • MAX STERN (FULL BAND)
  • THE BURST AND BLOOM

Anyway, what are your thoughts?  Friday or Saturday or both or neither?