day 2 riot fest 2024

day 2 riot fest 2024

Saturday, day 2, at Riot Fest 2024 was one of the most uncomfortable days at the fest in recent memory. While the staff did what they could to keep everyone hydrated and happy, the near-90-degree heat had a lot of people feeling faint. The lineup kept people energized, the bands paid attention to their fans and brought help when necessary, and the alternative community of Chicago and beyond really showed up for each other on Saturday. We got some photos so you can relive the end of summer heat with us.

sweet pill dazzle crowd at riot fest 2024

sweet pill dazzle crowd at riot fest 2024

There is no other word for it. Sweet Pill took the stage during some of the hottest moments temperature-wise at Riot Fest 2024, and they absolutely dazzled everyone. The stage banter, the outfits, the edge, the poise… somehow everything this band did struck us as charming and unique, though they fit right in with the crowd and the vibrant energy of the day. The crowd begged them to continue playing, and lead vocalist Zayna Youssef admitted they’d love to, but the set cutoff times pulled them off stage much sooner than everyone was ready for.

Setlist
Starchild
Chewed Up
Where the Heart Is
Blood
Cut
Eternal
Sympathy
High Hopes
Diamond Eyes
Dog Song

manchester orchestra calm our raging hearts on day 2 of riot fest 2024

manchester orchestra calm our raging hearts on day 2 of riot fest 2024

Manchester Orchestra brought their unique brand of indie rock to the afternoon on day two of Riot Fest 2024. Douglass Park was set ablaze by not only the temperatures but also the energy from the crowd as they recognized and recited song after song during the twelve-track set. Despite the heat, the guys were top form, and we couldn’t have had a more entrancing experience.

Setlist
Top Notch
Choose You
Girl Harbor
The Mansion
The Ocean
Every Stone
All That I Really Wanted
Trees
Indentions
See It Again
Cope
The Silence

heart attack man plays first riot fest to appreciative crowd

heart attack man plays first riot fest to appreciative crowd

Heart Attack Man was playing the Radical Stage when we wandered over early for Sweet Pill. It was Day 2 of Riot Fest 2024, and the mid-day heat was already ruining lives. That said, we were drawn to the vulnerability being shared on stage. The band was admitting that they had attended Riot Fest 2023 together, and were proud to be playing their first ever Riot Fest. They were overjoyed as they continued the set, this positive energy palpable, despite the heat of the day and early set time.

princess goes welcomes the afternoon sun at riot fest 2024

princess goes welcomes the afternoon sun at riot fest 2024

Alternative/indie trio Princess Goes had an early afternoon slot on day two of Riot Fest 2024 in Douglass Park. Their unique brand of goth-tinted rock helped to set a moody glow across the field as the midday sun entered everyone’s lives. Hall’s vocals were clear — scratchy at times — drawing a crowd as the set went on at the AAA Stage. This was a wonderful — and often mellow — way to welcome the second day of an epic festival weekend.

riot fest 2024 day 1 | out + about

riot fest 2024 day 1 | out + about

Douglass Park in Chicago is stunning on an everyday basis. But during Riot Fest? It’s glorious. Littered with photo booths, games, food and drink vendors, shopping experiences, and more surrounding the five stages, Riot Festival does what it can to make sure the attendees are comfortable and part of a grand adventure together. With the Riotland installation — featuring a marketplace, museum, carnival rides, NWA wrestling, the Hellzapoppin Freak Show, and more — this festival provides epic experiences you won’t find elsewhere.

Here are some Day 1 landscape and fan photos to enjoy.

cypress hill make the sh*t go down as the sun sets on riot fest 2024 day 1

cypress hill make the sh*t go down as the sun sets on riot fest 2024 day 1

The best way to spend the sunset during Friday’s Day 1 at Riot Fest 2024 was at the Radical Stage at 7:25 pm. The legendary Cypress Hill took the stage to an absolutely insane crowd. It was our first set in the pit, since we came in on a train earlier in the day and took longer to adjust than expected, but it was a phenomenal way to start our Riot Fest weekend.

Cypress Hill treated fans to hits like “Hand on the Pump,” “Cock the Hammer,” “When the Shit Goes Down,” “I Wanna Get High,” and that was just within the first few tracks performed. “Insane in the Brain” and “Jump Around” made appearances as well, as they were played live and during (incredibly limited) breaks between acts.

sons of silver hits kansas city for the first time with dogstar

sons of silver hits kansas city for the first time with dogstar

After Wednesday night’s performance at the Uptown Theater, we might be able to forgive rock outfit Sons of Silver for having never been to Kansas City together before. Their opening set for Dogstar was energetic and fun. The band took moments to appreciate their position and the evening, ensuring an almost instant connection with the audience. After their set, the band took some time to meet fans by their merch table while Dogstar got situated on stage.

dogstar roughs it up in kansas city

dogstar roughs it up in kansas city

When was the last time you craved a great rock show and it actually delivered? We set out on a Wednesday night to see the storied Dogstar play at the historic Uptown Theater in Kansas City, Missouri. Not only did the merchandise line snake through the front lobby, but it wrapped down the hall and into the bar area on the other side. I’ve been going to shows for nearly 30 years at this venue, and I’ve never seen anything like it.

From the moment they hit the stage, the trio delivered nonstop entertainment, rolling through a variety of keepers from their catalog. Their particular blend of alternative rock brings with it hints of goth and more theatrical vocals at times, keeping you on the edge of your seat, singing with the crowd. Of course, there were a couple of “I love you, Keanu!” screams from the crowd at times, but for the most part, the crowd was respectful of the reason we were all there… music.

With an incredible 33-year run so far, this band is showing no signs of slowing down.

Setlist
Blonde
Lust
How the Story Ends
Everything Turns Around
Out Of
Glimmer
Dillon Street
This Is What Math Is For
Shards of Rain
Overhang
Sleep
Runway
Marmalade
Breach
Just Like Heaven
Shallow Easy
Upside
Jackbox
I Wanna Be Sedated