Chicago’s Riot Fest (at Humboldt Park this weekend) has an impressive (albeit heavily nostalgic) lineup. I said that earlier this year and I still think the festival pulled off one of the best overall mixes of bands among any of the big local events.
On Friday, check out the late afternoon set by the legendary punks Stiff Little Fingers. A Pussy Riot panel moderated by Henry Rollins follows. The evening lineup includes the mighty metal band Mastodon and skate punks Offspring, while Slayer, one of the pillars of ’80s and ’90s speed metal, headlines. (Slayer will play its 1986 release Reign in Blood in its entirety as part of a feature of this year’s fest that includes 10 bands playing noteworthy albums.)
Saturday features another punk legend, the Buzzcocks, who play a short set in the afternoon. The groundbreaking band Television (unfortunately minus guitarist Richard Lloyd) follows. An early evening set by Wu-Tang Clan should not be missed and, unfortunately, you’ll be forced to choose between Flaming Lips or Descendents just before 8 p.m. The National is the best headliner playing Saturday night.
Sunday packs a wallop with (in order) Kurt Vile, the Hold Steady, Superchunk, Naked Raygun, Hot Snakes, Patti Smith and Cheap Trick. The Cure is probably the best bet for a headliner (unless you’re really into Weezer).
All the Young Punks 