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 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.
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.
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
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
Annie J‘s genre-bending sound is not stereotypical of Seattle–with its grunge and alt-rock history–though her artistic confidence is something that powerhouse artists out of the PNW have held a torch over for decades. Her new single titled “Your Power” is a further demonstration of that confidence, though the sonic approach is very different than you would expect from a song of that name.
Though the upcoming EP (Been Loving You) will be Annie J’s first solo project, she has demonstrated her talent well with impactful artists for years, including The True Loves, Odesza, The Dip, and Allen Stone. “Your Power” is light-as-a-feather in lyrics and composition, inducing goosebumps with each new, impactful line.
Admits Annie of the single:
Imagine embodying that voice in your head, the one you hear from time to time that seems to say: “Hey, I’ve been here loving you the whole time. You can heal, and grow and reach for joy.” This song, to me, is remembering that a patient inner voice exists, though she’s sometimes quiet compared to the rest. And knowing I will fall, again and again, and there will always be a way back,” she continues.
