The first wave of bands playing Riot Fest have been announced. Blink-182 and Beck are headlining and there’s a whole lot of other great bands. You can find the full listing below.
Lineup
- Blink-182
- Beck
- Elvis Costello & the Imposters
- Incubus
- Young the Giant
- Interpol
- Blondie
- Alkaline Trio
- Father John Misty
- Jerry Lee Lewis
- Dropkick Murphys
- Bleachers
- Atmosphere
- Flogging Molly
- Cypress Hill
- Bad Religion
- Underoath
- Matt and Kim
- The Jesus Lizard
- Sum 41
- The Voidz
- The Front Bottoms
- Twin Peaks
- K.Flay
- Suicidal Tendencies
- Bullet for my Valentine
- Clutch
- The Wonder Years
- Digable Planets
- Liz Phair
- Cat Power
- Gary Numan
- Killing Joke
- Hot Snakes
- Wolfmother
- Moose Blood
- SWMRS
- Johnny Marr
- Superchunk
- JD McPherson
- Reignwolf
- Lagwagon
- Pussy Riot
- FEAR
- Andrew W.K.
- GWAR
- The Aquabats
- Hobo Johnson & the Lovemakers
- Face to Face
- The Exploited
- The Bouncing Souls
- Dillinger Four
- Conflict
- Piebald
- Adolescents
- The Avengers
- Cobra Skulls
- HEALTH
- Calpurnia
- Kevin Devine
- The Frights
- The Districts
- Arkells
- The Audition
- Spitalfield
- Flor
- Speedy Ortiz
- Bully
- Lower Class Brats
- Total Chaos
- The Fever 333
- Direct Hit!
- Mom Jeans.
- Mannequin Pussy
- Pronoun
- Beach Goons
- The Bombpops
- Badflower
- Save Face
- Super Whatevr
- Beach Bunny
- No Small Children
Now in its 14th year, Riot Fest has continued its tradition of being left of the dial, defying the homogeneity seen in many festivals. 2018 brings a cavalcade of incredible artists across five stages in historic Douglas Park. Announced headliners include Blink-182 and Beck (with a third to be revealed during Riot Fest’s second wave lineup announcement, coming in a few weeks). From legends such as Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Costello, to from the socially-conscious rhymes of Atmosphere, to the mainstream rock sounds of Young the Giant, there is truly something for every music lover.
Other notable Riot Fest 2018 bookings include Incubus, Blondie, Interpol, and the return of Russian rabble-rousers Pussy Riot (performing a few years after hosting a truly gripping panel on music and protest with Henry Rollins at Riot Fest 2014). Father John Misty makes his debut at the fest, along with the Jesus Lizard, Gary Numan, and Liz Phair. Pop culture fans will be interested in checking out the first ever Chicago show from Calpurnia (featuring Finn Wolfhard from Netflix’s Stranger Things and the 2017 horror flick, It), as well as family-friendly caped crusaders the Aquabats. In addition, Digable Planets and Cypress Hill are bringing the beats. At the core of it all, the punk rock foundation on which Riot Fest was founded is represented; from classic bands like Fear, Adolescents, Total Chaos, Bad Religion, and the Exploited to the generation of groups they inspired, repped by Sum 41, Alkaline Trio, Underoath, Dillinger Four, and so many more. Mind you, this is merely the first wave of bands; more headliners and other artists will be revealed in due time… and as usual, there will be performances of iconic full albums be announced shortly.