The full lineup for Riot Fest 2025 has dropped, marking the festival’s 20th anniversary celebration at Chicago’s Douglass Park from September 19-21. Headliners include blink-182 kicking things off Friday, Weezer and Jack White sharing the stage on Saturday, and Green Day alongside Idles closing out Sunday. Adding a unique twist, "Weird Al" Yankovic features prominently across the weekend.
Riot Fest’s longstanding punk, rock, and alt scene legacy shines with appearances by members of the Sex Pistols, Alkaline Trio, All Time Low, Rilo Kiley, The Beach Boys, Jawbreaker, Bad Religion, and The Pogues, among others. The festival is known for hosting iconic reunions, previously bringing back bands like The Replacements, Naked Raygun, and My Chemical Romance.
The Reddit r/festivals community shows a mix of love and skepticism:
- Fans praise the lineup’s diversity and legendary acts, calling it "bringing the heat."
- Others express that the headliners feel "played out," highlighting that the mid-card might be the weekend’s standout.
- Curious chatter surrounds "Emo Philips," a stand-up comedian linked with Weird Al on tour, wondering about his festival role.
- There’s nostalgia for Riot Fest’s past lineups, with some suggesting this year feels less groundbreaking.
Notably, Riot Fest’s continued presence in Douglass Park has faced local opposition, with community members concerned about park impact.
Riot Fest 2025 seems set to balance celebration of its milestone with the realities of a fiercely loyal, yet critical fanbase. Expect a weekend of punk passion, alternative rock legends, and quirky moments from "Weird Al," all steeped in Chicago festival culture.
For full details and tickets, visit riotfest.org
Source: r/festivals