Riot Fest announced its Chicago lineup this week and it’s a fantastic mix of old and new (though it skews toward older bands). At the top of the bill for the three-day event in September: The Cure, Jane’s Addiction, the National, Rise Against, Weezer, Flaming Lips, Social Distortion, Slayer, the Offspring and Wu-Tang Clan.
But a festival falls apart pretty easily if the earlier shows are duds. That’s not the case here. Punk pioneers like the Buzzcocks and Stiff Little Fingers are playing the middle of the lineup. The schedule includes ’80s and ’90s stalwarts like Descendents and Mudhoney, legends such as Patti Smith, Paul Weller and Thurston Moore, Chicago’s very own Naked Raygun and the great Superchunk. Even forgotten bands like Hot Snakes makes an appearance. It’s a music geek’s dream. The history of punk and indie music is acted out live over three days.
Some of the best current indie artists are performing as well, including the National, Kurt Vile and Wavves. A couple of members of Pussy Riot will play as well. The fest is September 12-14 at Humboldt Park. There are also a few more bands that haven’t been announced yet.
All the Young Punks 