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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
