l.s. dunes blows minds during riot fest 2024 set

l.s. dunes blows minds during riot fest 2024 set

Supergroup L.S. Dunes brought their high-octane energy to the stage on day 2 at Riot Fest 2024. Having wandered the grounds earlier in the day with their new music, lead singer Anthony Green (Circa Survive/Saosin/The Sound of Animals Fighting) drummed up some excitement around their set.

This was the only set we caught in its entirety of the festival. Crowd participation was noticeable, and a larger audience was drawn throughout their performance as people began to notice the artistry on stage. We overheard new fans gushing about the performance on public transit after Saturday wound down.

Setlist
2022
Bombsquad
Like Forever
Grey Veins
Benadryl Subreddit
How Dare You
It Takes Time
Permanent Rebellion
Past Lives
Fatal Deluxe

spoon let the heat roll off their shoulders on riot fest 2024 day 2

spoon let the heat roll off their shoulders on riot fest 2024 day 2

Indie rock outfit Spoon may have been dazzling stages with their talent since 1993, but Riot Fest 2024 is where they really brought their shine. In the heat of a bright Saturday afternoon, they stared directly into the sun — and a crowd of thousands — as they regaled us with bangers from every one of their eras. From “The Way We Get By” to “My Babe” and “Inside Out,” through covers from The Natural History and The Cramps, they kept the energy high as the crowds continued to hydrate.

We captured some quick photos of the beginning of their set for you.

Setlist
Got Nuffin
My Mathematical Mind
You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb
The Hardest Cut
The Way We Get By
The Underdog
My Babe
Wild
Inside Out
Don’t You Ever (The Natural History cover)
Do You
I Turn My Camera On
TV Set (The Cramps cover)
I Summon You
Rent I Pay

nofx say “farewell” to chicago in style with 3-night residency at riot fest 2024

nofx say “farewell” to chicago in style with 3-night residency at riot fest 2024

Los Angeles-based punk rock outfit NOFX has embarked on a far-reaching farewell tour that helps the band honor their decades-long contribution to music. They brought their quintessential energy — and, at times, fully childish behavior — to all three days of Riot Fest 2024. Through sunshine and heat and endless rain in Douglass Park, Chicago, the guys sang from a catalog that would impress most, with love from fans emanating throughout the aptly named “NOFX World.”

We were lucky enough to capture some magic from night 2.

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.

thursday performs to elated crowd at uptown theater

thursday performs to elated crowd at uptown theater

Thursday took the stage 5th on Friday at the Uptown Theater, another incredible punk/emo act that we all know and love on the Twenty Years of Tears tour. Playing directly after Anberlin and before Hawthorne Heights, this band truly threw their energy into the entire performance, per usual.

We got up close and personal for an evening we just absolutely cannot believe happened.

Setlist
The Other Side of the Crash/Over and Out (of Control)
Cross Out the Eyes
Signals Over the Air
Standing on the Edge of Summer
Jet Black New Year
This Song Brought to You by a Falling Bomb
Fast to the End
Application for Release From the Dream
Paris in Flames
Running From the Rain
Understanding in a Car Crash
War All the Time

36? present a sweetly snug ode to introversion in “i don’t want to go out tonight”

36? present a sweetly snug ode to introversion in “i don’t want to go out tonight”

In unfortunate timing, this is my *37th* article for this website. Just one off, huh? Anyway, indie-psychedelic band 36? have put out a new single titled “i don’t want to go out tonight”. This is the fourth single to come from the Calgary-based group this year, after “wasted”, “FEERS”, and “ART”; with their latest LP being 2022’s Naturally. Their sound is an eclectic mix of sources, with influences ranging from hazy alt-pop and art rock, and comparisons to bands like Animal Collective or even Bleachers. Many of their lyrics, from the band’s producer and songwriter Taylor Cochrane, deal with personal subjects awash in sincerity and emotional qualities.

“i don’t want to go out tonight” is more laid-back than their more recent singles, with an indie-folk sound led by Hawaiian-sounding acoustic guitar and a breezy beach atmosphere. It’s very sweet sounding with a heartfelt performance from Cochrane and cutesy backing vocal harmonies. It also features a wonderfully abrasive guitar solo characteristic of a lot of their work, though it still fits against a different musical backdrop. Lyrically, it’s a tribute to introversion and taking time for yourself even when it means avoiding energy-draining social activities. The lyrics and the music match perfectly, creating a vibe throughout the track that’s cozy and comforting. 36? have crafted a great summer single in “i don’t want to go out tonight”, a song that’s drenched with both positive energy and relaxation.

The band is currently on tour throughout North America, with more music still in the works.