Musings…observations from the fourth line on the festival lineup poster

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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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Riot Fest 2025 Previews

Dropkick Murphys and Bad Religion

Dropkick Murphys

Dropkick Murphys are charging through 2025 with a massive global tour in support of their new album, For the People, released on July 4. Known for their explosive blend of Celtic folk and punk rock, the band continues to deliver high-energy, crowd-driven performances that celebrate working-class pride, Irish heritage, and rebellion.

What to Expect at a Dropkick Murphys Show:

  • Bagpipes, banjos, and punk riffs: Their live sound is a thunderous mix of traditional Irish instrumentation and punk rock fury.
  • Singalongs and mosh pits: Anthems like “Shipping Up to Boston,” “Rose Tattoo,” “The State of Massachusetts,” and “Barroom Hero” ignite the crowd.
  • Community vibe: Their shows feel like a celebration—rowdy but inclusive, with fans of all ages shouting along.
  • New material: Songs from For the People like “Who’ll Stand With Us?” are already fan favorites.

Bad Religion

Bad Religion is a foundational punk rock band from Los Angeles, formed in 1980, known for their intellectual lyrics, tight harmonies, and melodic hardcore sound. With over four decades of influence, they’ve helped define the sound and spirit of modern punk, especially through albums like Suffer, No Control, and The Empire Strikes First.

What to Expect at a Bad Religion Live Show:

  • Fast, tight, and powerful: Their performances are known for precision and energy—no frills, just pure punk.
  • Thought-provoking lyrics: Songs tackle politics, religion, and society with sharp insight and urgency.
  • Crowd favorites: Expect classics like “21st Century (Digital Boy),” “Sorrow,” “American Jesus,” and “Infected.”
  • Veteran presence: Frontman Greg Graffin still delivers with clarity and conviction, backed by a band that’s as tight as ever.
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Riot Fest 2025 Previews

IDLES and Blink-182

IDLES

IDLES are a ferocious post-punk band from Bristol, England, known for their explosive live shows, politically charged lyrics, and a sound that blends punk, noise rock, and emotional vulnerability. Formed in 2009, they’ve become one of the most vital voices in modern rock, with albums like Brutalism, Joy as an Act of Resistance, Ultra Mono, and TANGK (2023) earning critical acclaim.

What to Expect at an IDLES Live Show:

  • Top-tier intensity: IDLES are ranked in the top 1% of all live performers. Their shows are loud, cathartic, and physically intense—mosh pits, sweat, and raw emotion are guaranteed.
  • Joe Talbot’s presence: The frontman delivers every lyric with passion and purpose, often speaking between songs about love, empathy, and resistance.
  • Crowd connection: Their gigs feel like communal experiences—part punk show, part group therapy.
  • Musical chaos and precision: Expect pounding drums, jagged guitars, and a rhythm section that hits like a freight train.

2025 Tour Highlights:

  • Shaky Knees Festival (Atlanta, Sept 19) with Deftones, Pixies, and My Chemical Romance 
  • Riot Fest (Chicago, Sept 21) with Green Day, Jawbreaker, Bad Religion, and more 
  • Bristol Homecoming Shows (August 2025): Their only UK dates this year, marking the end of the TANGK era and teasing new material 

These shows are being described as a farewell to one chapter and the start of another, with hints of a more “driven and dynamic” sound on the horizon.

Blink-182

Blink-182 is back in a big way for 2025 with their “Missionary Impossible” U.S. tour, following a massive global run in 2024. The original trio—Mark Hoppus, Tom DeLonge, and Travis Barker—are reunited and in top form, bringing their signature mix of pop-punk anthems, humor, and high-energy performance to fans across the country.

What to Expect at a 2025 Blink-182 Show:

  • Setlist packed with hits: Expect classics like “All the Small Things,” “What’s My Age Again?,” “The Rock Show,” “First Date,” and “I Miss You”, alongside newer tracks from their 2023 album One More Time…, including “Edging” and “One More Time”.
  • High-energy stage presence: Tom and Mark’s banter is back in full force, and Travis’s drumming is as explosive as ever.
  • Emotional moments: Their recent shows have included tributes to first responders and heartfelt performances of songs like “Stay Together for the Kids.”
  • Special guests: Alkaline Trio is opening on all dates—adding extra nostalgia and punk cred, especially with former Blink member Matt Skiba making surprise appearances.
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Riot Fest 2025 Previews

Samiam and Smoking Popes

Samiam

Samiam is a melodic punk rock band from Berkeley, California, formed in 1988 after the breakup of the Gilman Street scene band Isocracy. Known for blending punk, emo, and melodic hardcore, they’ve carved out a cult following over decades of touring and recording.

Musical Style:

  • Often compared to bands like Jawbreaker, Hot Water Music, and Sense Field.
  • Their sound mixes emotive vocals, melodic guitar lines, and punk urgency.
  • Albums like Clumsy (1994) and You Are Freaking Me Out (1997) gained them some mainstream attention, with airplay on MTV and alternative radio.

Live Show Experience:

  • Energetic and heartfelt: Their performances are emotionally charged, with tight musicianship and a strong connection to the crowd.
  • Fan-favorite deep cuts: Expect a mix of older material and newer songs from their 2023 album Stowaway.
  • DIY punk roots: Shows often feel intimate and grounded, even in larger venues

Smoking Popes

Smoking Popes are a cult-favorite pop punk band from the northwest suburbs of Chicago, formed in 1991 by brothers Josh, Eli, and Matt Caterer, along with drummer Mike Felumlee. Their sound is a unique blend of punk energy and crooning vocals, often described as “Frank Sinatra fronting a punk band.”

Musical Style:

  • Combines buzzsaw guitars, melodic hooks, and romantic melancholy.
  • Known for emotionally rich lyrics and a sound that bridges punk, emo, and lounge pop.
  • Breakout track “Need You Around” gained national attention after appearing on the Clueless soundtrack.

Live Show Experience:

  • Energetic and heartfelt: Their performances are tight, emotionally resonant, and full of singalong moments.
  • Fan-favorite deep cuts: Expect a mix of classics from Born to Quit and Destination Failure, plus new material from their 2025 album Lovely Stuff.
  • Veteran presence: Having toured with bands like Jawbreaker, Descendents, and Jimmy Eat World, they bring seasoned confidence to the stage.