One of Chicago’s biggest music festivals is changing things up this year.
Riot Fest, the annual weekend of rock, metal, emo and punk, is moving from Douglass Park to Bridgeview’s SeatGeek Stadium after more than a decade on the West Side. The new grounds are being dubbed “RiotLand” and will feature the usual host of food and drink vendors, plus activities like a casino, an arcade, a gay nightclub and other activation experiences.
The event is still scheduled for September 20-22, and will be headlined by Fall Out Boy, Beck, Pavement, Slayer, Public Enemy, The Offspring, St. Vincent, Rob Zombie, Bright Eyes, Sublime, Dr. Dog and The Marley Brothers. NOFX, who is currently on its farewell tour, will also play all three nights at a special NOFX World section.
Other notables acts include Spoon, Manchester Orchestra performing Cope, Sum 41, Cypress Hill, New Found Glory, Something Corporate, Taking Back Sunday, Gwar, The Hives, Lamb of God, Mastodon performing Leviathan, Oliver Tree and more. Over 90 bands are slated to take to the stages.
Riot Fest had faced criticism and backlash from local neighbors around Douglass Park for taking over large swaths of public land every year during peak outdoor season and bringing in traffic, noise and trash. It faced similar complaints from residents of Humboldt Park—the previous event site—before relocating to Douglass Park in 2015. The festival spent recent years trying to address the issues and supporting the North Lawndale community through initiatives like park cleanups.
In teasing the move to SeatGeek Stadium, Riot Fest owner and co-founder Mike Petryshyn said in a statement posted Tuesday night that “Our exodus is solely because of the Chicago Park District. Their lack of care for the community, you, and us, ultimately left us no choice.”
Tickets are now on sale for Riot Fest via the official website. A two-day General Admission pass starts at $190 and a three-day General Admission pass starts at $250. VIP passes, which include unlimited re-entry, access to a VIP lounge, air-conditioned restrooms and more, start at $290 for two-days and $360 for three-days.
The Deluxe tier provides attendees with access to a deluxe lounge with open bars, complimentary snacks, private seating areas, Wi-Fi and more; a two-day Deluxe pass starts at $600 while a three-day starts at $900. If you’re looking for the best possible experience, a Deluxe+ three-day pass—priced at $1,550—gets you all of the aforementioned benefits along with a fully-stocked, all-inclusive private bar, upscale seating in shaded areas, personal concierge service and a complimentary massage therapist.
Those who purchased tickets before June 6 and are affected by the venue change can request a full refund by completing this form before June 19.
Check out the full Riot Fest lineup below.
