Riot Fest 2024: First Time in Chicago, Full Send into the Madness
Heading into Chicago for the first time, we had high expectations for Riot Fest 2024—and it did not disappoint. From the moment we arrived, the excitement was palpable. Parking, however? Chaotic. Navigating the city was an adventure in itself, but once we finally found a spot, we wasted no time diving into the festival grounds to get a feel for the layout.
First Impressions: Big Stages, Bigger Energy
One of the biggest surprises was just how much there was to do beyond the music. With multiple stages running live performances simultaneously, we constantly had to make tough choices about who to see—which, inevitably, meant missing a few friends’ sets.
But Riot Fest is so much more than just the stages. There was something happening everywhere: wild pop-up performances, unexpected moments of pure festival madness, and the kind of unpredictability that makes this event feel like its own world.
A Lineup That Never Let Up
The lineup was stacked every single day, pulling major names across genres and scenes. Rob Zombie, Sum 41, Slayer, GWAR, Sincere Engineer, Urethane, Hot Mulligan, NOFX, and the Marley brothers—the list goes on and on. If we named everyone, we’d practically be reciting the entire festival roster.
Heat, Rain, and Real Punk Mud
Day one was scorching hot, and somehow that only added to the intensity of the performances. Days two and three brought much-needed rain, setting the stage for real punk-style mud mosh pits at almost every stage—pure Riot Fest energy.
Only at Riot Fest
At any given moment, you could catch a guy dressed as Sasquatch playing a saxophone, while across the way a couple was literally getting married. That’s the kind of beautiful chaos that makes Riot Fest so special.
Slayer Day: Chants Before the Gates, Fire on the Stage
Slayer’s headlining day was an event in itself. Even before the gates opened, you could hear festival-goers chanting “Slayer!” throughout the grounds—the energy was unreal.
When they finally took the stage, they absolutely delivered, putting on one of the best performances we’ve ever seen from them.
Standout Moments That Hit Home
There were so many highlights, but a few moments really stuck:
- Hot Mulligan transported us straight back to our emo/punk days.
- Rob Zombie and Sum 41 hit with a massive wave of nostalgia—proof that some music never loses its impact.
- The sheer community energy—mud, chaos, laughter, and that unmistakable Riot Fest spirit—kept the whole weekend moving at full speed.
Final Thoughts
Riot Fest 2024 was an unforgettable experience—and we’re already hoping to return next year for another round of madness. Chicago, you treated us well.
Until next time.