CallbullChatGPT was asked what a good Friday schedule would be for Barb. This is what they came up with. I do think maybe Sex Pistols instead of All American Rejects may be a good add if not just for the historical perspective. I also think Bratmobile (Riot Girl) instead of the Paradox may be a good choice.
So my suggested “path” for Barb would be Cardinals-> Panic Shack-> Greet Death-> Radio Free Alice or Slothrust-> 3OH!3-> Bratmobile-> Motion City Soundtrack-> Alkaline Trio-> Sex Pistols-> Twentyone Pilots-> cut out of T0P early and see GWAR (just kidding).
Anyway, here’s what callbullChatGPT suggests:
Since you don’t like hardcore/screamo, like pop music, and definitely want Twenty One Pilots, I’d start around noon and make Friday feel fun rather than exhausting.
🎵 My Friday plan for you
| Time | What I’d do | Why |
| 12:00–12:30 | Cardinals | 🎸 Easy, upbeat indie/rock start |
| 12:30–1:10 | Food / wander | Don’t burn yourself out early |
| 1:10–1:40 | JMSN | ⭐ Smooth R&B/pop/electronic |
| 1:40–2:20 | Break / explore | |
| 2:20–2:50 | Violet Grohl | Accessible rock |
| 2:55–3:25 | 3OH!3 | ⭐⭐⭐ Very much your thing |
| 3:30–4:00 | The Paradox | Optional discovery |
| 4:05–4:35 | Bayside | Melodic rock/punk, not screamo |
| 4:40–5:20 | Joey Valence & Brae | ⭐⭐⭐ Fun, poppy, danceable |
| 5:20–5:30 | Quick break | |
| 5:30–6:15 | Slick Rick | ⭐ Fun change of pace |
| 6:15–6:30 | Food/rest | |
| 6:30–7:30 | The All-American Rejects | ⭐⭐⭐ Big pop-rock hits |
| 7:30–8:00 | Break / move toward Pixies | |
| 8:15–8:35 | Pixies | Catch a taste |
| 8:35 | MOVE to Twenty One Pilots | Get a good spot |
| 8:40–10:00 | TWENTY ONE PILOTS | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The main event |
Why I like this for you
12:00 — Cardinals
I’d actually start here. You don’t need to arrive at noon and immediately throw yourself into something intense. Cardinals are a relatively mellow way to get oriented with the festival, grab your bearings, and ease into the day.
1:10 — JMSN
This is a sleeper pick for you. JMSN is much more R&B/soul/electronic/pop than punk. If you’re looking for something that doesn’t sound like Riot Fest’s stereotypical guitar-heavy lineup, this is a good early stop.
2:20 — Violet Grohl
A nice, accessible rock set. And it’s only 30 minutes, so there’s little downside.
2:55 — 3OH!3
⭐ This is a definite.
For someone who likes pop, 3OH!3 is probably one of your best Friday choices. It’s danceable, ridiculous in a good way, and very different from the hardcore bands.
3:30 — The Paradox
I’d treat this as a maybe. You can see 15–20 minutes, and if you’re not feeling it, wander off. Don’t sacrifice your energy for a band you’re unfamiliar with.
4:05 — Bayside
They’re punk/emo, but not the hardcore/screamo experience you’re trying to avoid. They’re melodic and hooky. I’d give them the whole 30 minutes.
4:40 — Joey Valence & Brae
⭐⭐⭐ Another big recommendation.
This could be one of the most fun sets of your day. It’s hip-hop/electronic/party music, with a lot of old-school flavor. You’re going to get a crowd that’s dancing rather than standing around looking miserable while someone screams into a microphone. 😂
5:30 — Slick Rick
This is another great change of pace. You’re not going to get wall-to-wall guitars for the entire afternoon. Slick Rick is a legendary storyteller and should make for a really entertaining festival set.
Then…
🍔 6:15–6:30: TAKE A BREAK
I’d make this a non-negotiable.
You’ve been there since noon. Eat something, sit down, hydrate, bathroom, recharge.
Because the evening is where your best stuff starts.
🎤 6:30 — The All-American Rejects
⭐⭐⭐ Absolutely go.
For your stated taste, I would choose All-American Rejects over Santigold.
Santigold is good, but if you like pop music, The All-American Rejects give you the stuff you’re much more likely to know and sing along with:
“Swing, Swing”
“Dirty Little Secret”
“Move Along”
“Gives You Hell”
This is your big nostalgic pop-rock set before the headliner.
🌅 7:30–8:10 — Rest and reposition
This is where I’d differ from the typical festival schedule.
Don’t go chase another band.
You have Twenty One Pilots in 70 minutes, and you’re going to want some energy left.
Grab a drink, use the bathroom and gradually work your way toward the Riot Stage.
🎸 8:15 — Pixies
Here’s the fun dilemma.
Pixies start at 8:15 and Twenty One Pilots start at 8:40.
I would absolutely see the beginning of Pixies.
Give them about 15–20 minutes.
Then leave around 8:32–8:35 and head toward Twenty One Pilots.
You’re not going to get a full Pixies set, obviously, but you’ll get a taste of one of the most important alternative-rock bands ever, and you won’t sacrifice your headliner.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8:40–10:00 — TWENTY ONE PILOTS
This is your priority.
I’d actually be willing to sacrifice more than Pixies to make sure you get a good spot for Twenty One Pilots.
If you’re really excited about them, I’d leave Pixies at 8:30 rather than trying to squeeze every possible minute out of it.
🚫 What I’d skip for you
Based specifically on “I don’t like hardcore or screamo”, I would not bother with:
- Fleshwater
- Soul Glo
- Greet Death
- Panic Shack
- The Callous Daoboys
- Guttermouth
And I’d probably skip:
- Rise Against — great band, but much more aggressive than your preferred sound.
- Alkaline Trio — potentially enjoyable for you, but I’d rather give you a break before the evening.
- Sex Pistols — historically fascinating, but not necessary if you’re primarily there for pop/alternative.
- GWAR — unless you want the spectacle. The music itself is definitely not your lane.
- Iggy Pop — he’s a legend, but the timing makes him impossible with Twenty One Pilots anyway.
One change I’d make if you want even more pop
If you’re tired by 4:40, skip Bayside and spend that 4:05–4:35 slot resting. Then go straight to Joey Valence & Brae.
That would make your day:
Cardinals → JMSN → Violet Grohl → 3OH!3 → BREAK → Joey Valence & Brae → Slick Rick → BREAK → All-American Rejects → Pixies → Twenty One Pilots
Honestly, that’s probably the Friday schedule I’d give you. It’s varied, pop-friendly, has plenty of breaks, and avoids turning your day into a six-hour hardcore endurance test. 😄
