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Home , Alkaline Trio, Chuck Ragan, Fucked Up, Hot Water Music, Neon Trees, NOFX

Critical Soundbites LIVE REVIEWS 2012

“As if to soak every drop of sunshine out of the waning summer, Riot Fest brought 60,000 fans and 47 bands on four stages to the West Side park for one final fling in ideal weather.… The park measured up as a comfortable landing spot for concertgoers; unlike the increasingly cramped confines of the smaller Union Park, which caps at about 20,000 people a day for the in mid-July, Riot Fest felt a good deal more spacious. It lacked the human bottlenecks that plague in Grant Park, and corporate signage was conspicuously absent. To fully saturate the senses, there also were circus rides, clowns, jugglers and professional wrestlers.‖ --Greg Kot, TRIBUNE, 9/17/12

―This summer, I caught parts of Pitchfork, Lollapalooza, North Coast, the Hideout Block Party/A.V. Fest and Riot Fest. Without question, the most easy going, least pretentious and fun crowd was the one I experienced over two days in Humboldt Park at Riot Fest. While Lollapalooza takes a bit too much advantage of its sprawling environs in Grant Park, both Pitchfork and North Coast seem rather cramped at times in Union Park on the west side. It was really the perfect setup because sound bleed wasn‘t a problem between stages (set times were well staggered which helped) and yet the stages were still close enough to allow concertgoers to catch as many artists as possible. Personally, I can‘t wait to see how they try to top this in the summer of 2013 because as it stands right now, Riot Fest is second in Chicago festival size and stature only to Lollapalooza.‖ –Jim Ryan, CHICAGO NOW (9/19/12)

―The transformation of Riot Fest from a late-autumnal, five-day club haunt into a last- week-o‟-summer outdoor festival now stabs a sharp period on the end of the increasingly eclectic and electronic season by blaring all rock and roll, all the time. …The weather agreed. After an opening night (with , and more) indoors at the , the eighth annual Riot Fest expanded Saturday and Sunday into sunny, cool Humboldt Park, complete with four stages and carnival rides. Saturday‘s lineup featured party animal Andrew W.K., Chicago punks and the creatures of in a rare daylight performance. Sunday‘s bill ran the gamut, too, from the basic pop-punk of L.A.‘s NOFX and Chicago‘s to veteran new wave kingpins and local garage rockers. Sunday spotlighted two ‘80s icons. First, the sedate statesmen of the Jesus & Mary Chain generated its torrents of guitar squall. I forget how sludgy they can get in , opening with a bass- heavy, almost country lope („Snakedriver‟) and then brightening up the guitars and the rhythm for „Head On.‟ Guy next to me: ‗They‘re like Helmet on Quaaludes.‘ & the Imposters, on a main stage but in a sundown slot, played the most Attractions-rich set I‘ve seen the old curmudgeon deliver. Peeling off track after track from a best-of set list—‗Radio Radio,‟ „(I Don‟t Want to Go To) Chelsea,‟ „Less Than Zero,‟ „(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes,‟ „Pump It Up,‟ a raucous reggae take on ‗Watching the Detectives,‟ on and on-- he barely took a breath as his of pros colored the old chestnuts but kept them hot. …, his mane and his lumpy torso hit the stage embodying „Raw Power.‟ He and spent the festival‘s final hour reeling between rockabilly grooves and punk attacks. The biggest hit of the weekend, though, may have been Humboldt Park, which acquitted itself well as a festival site. Riot Fest reports 30,000 people attended each day Saturday and Sunday, but the park sure felt roomy and easy to maneuver. The addition of carnival rides is a great touch. --Thomas Conner, CHICAGO SUN TIMES (9/17/12)

―After seven successful years in Chicago, punk festival Riot Fest descended on 's Fort York for a day of , PBR and poutine, with a lineup that featured a mix of local bands, contemporary greats and a few punk rock legends. With the audience rapidly expanding early on, it was clear that most people wanted to enjoy the full day of music and weren't just coming to see one or two headliners. So the grounds were teeming by the time Andrew W.K. took the stage next for a rousing solo performance, bringing the crowd's energy level to a peak that didn't fade for the rest of the day. It was clear a lot of thought was put into designing the lineup of the day, as it moved between all types of punk music, never settling on one type for too long. There's no question Riot Fest delivered a day of great punk music, with each act dolling out a solid set... Each band got the spotlight they deserved, giving fans a great show and less familiar audience members a great introduction. At its core, Riot Fest was a great punk-fuelled celebration, and with any luck, one that will come back to Toronto next year. --Sam Carson, EXCLAIM!, (National, Riot Fest-Toronto, ON, 9/10/12)

―Riot Fest 2012 was a brilliant and timely close to this summer's end...‖ --Vern Hester, WINDY CITY TIMES (9/25/12)

―[Of and set at Riot Fest Brooklyn] With a few hours to kill, pints were slammed, shots were drank, and everyone in the know got pretty smashed. What followed next was possibly the best show I've ever seen/photographed in my decade and some change shooting bands. Hot Water Music set up and played a high energy set that had the packed 150 cap room drinking and singing along. The Descendents finally came on after a short break and played every song you could ever want to hear. Almost 200 people were dragged back to their teenage years flicking boogers, being pissed at their parents and drooling over the opposite sex. The party raged on, all the bands and crowd hung out and had a real celebration of what it was to be young and now old, getting together to do what we all love, enjoying each other's company and listening to great music. I woke up the next day with one of the worst hangover's I've ever had and photos from a once in a lifetime opportunity.‖ --Nathaniel Shannon, (International music magazine, U.K. based 10/4/12)

―I‘m gonna f**k you right up the ass!‖ hollered Iggy Pop. The almighty, headlining Stooges were just gathering momentum on the Riot Stage, entering a barnstormer rendition of ‗1970,‘ as tens of thousands stood in awe… James Osterberg, Jr. was a force Sunday night, a creepy, horny, sixty-five-year-old force of nature, but the Stooges were incredible in their own right. As any rock n‘ roll scholar knows, if your only knowledge of the Stooges was their first , your head would have exploded at Riot Fest. Even considering the later records, this band has become so tight and so talented as to be, arguably, at the all-time top of their game. …There‘s too much to be said about this set. All I know is there will never be another Stooges, and it‘ll be a sad day when Iggy‘s reign as the king of punk inevitably comes to a close. But it‘ll take the grave. And then, just maybe, we‘ll see another. Until then, we know where to look for inspiration.‖ --Dave Satterwhite, TIME OUT CHICAGO, (9/17/12

―The final day of Riot Fest was anything but riotous. Perfect weather, a friendly crowd, old timer headliners and enough snarky t-shirts to stock 10 Alley‘s, the punk rock circus was a success. Headliners Iggy and The Stooges, , Alkaline Trio and Elvis Costello & The Imposters knew why they were booked. Each act played a greatest hits set, or at least hits to the crowd. The inaugural Riot Fest in Humboldt Park will hopefully happen again. No longer stuck choosing between legendary punk bands on opposite sides of the city, a Pitchfork-like setup made seeing acts, well, a day in the park.” –Brandon Weatherbee, HUFFINGTON POST (9/18/12)

―[Descendents and Hot Water Music] took over Saint Vitus and needless to say it was a packed, sweaty show, with the crowd , , and going nuts.‖ --Jesse Mack Johnson, BROOKLYN VEGAN (Riot Fest-Brooklyn Review, 9/18/12)

― were on when I walked in. A bunch of kids on the Internet think they sound like Against Me, but they're all wrong. They sound like ' back catalog, in a really, really good way. They have the whole dual vocals/battling leads thing happening, and I loved them. …New Brunswick, NJ's are probably unaware of how unassuming they are. Hidden behind a guitar that was nearly the same size as herself, Marissa Paternoster took all presumption from the audience and jammed it right back down their throats with pure, unadulterated shredding. Harmonizing her voice along with her guitar seamlessly one verse, while belting out such notes that would require the mic stand be bolted to the floor the following verse, this is a front woman everyone must witness. The Bronx. They are not from the Bronx, but . They released three consecutive eponymous records, a dilemma my iPod has not sorted out. They had an epic prerecorded intro play before they took the stage. I should hate this band, but I don't. I love this band. They are pure riffed out rock 'n' roll with a huge set of balls.‖ --Jason Stickney, VICE (Riot Fest-Brooklyn Review, 9/12/12)

“Hot Water Music delivered a passion-filled set to open the impromptu indoor show, as dual singer-guitarists and Chris Wollard ignited the crowd with a powerful set of rock anthems. Shortly thereafter, the legendary Descendents, who haven‘t embarked on a full-on tour in 15 years, cooked up the room to what felt like 110 degrees, while the band blazed through a blitzkrieg of classics such as „Clean Sheets,‟ „Myage‟ and „I‟m the One.‟ The Descendents probably haven‘t played at a tiny bar in decades, and …with Milo Aukerman crowd surfing throughout the entire room, the most hardcore Descendents fans in New York went berserk for their punk rock heroes, the night proved to be an incredibly memorable show.‖ --Graham Hartmann, LOUDWIRE (Riot Fest-Brooklyn Review, 9/12/12)

―Aside from the impeccable line-up, Riot Fest Chicago stood out in another way: The awesome (!) addition of a carnival! Featuring rides, Lucha Libre, side show acts and much more, as one can imagine, the carnival portion of Riot Fest yielded much joy . . . and bizarro sights.‖ –Brian Howe Battle, PURE VOLUME (Chicago review, 9/17/12)

―The Sword did not disappoint and put on the most scenic set of the day. As the sun set, the boys ran right through eight songs in 25 minutes. NOFX was their usual bratty and comedic self for a half-hour, leading into probably the highlight of the show: an hour set by the legendary Descendents. …With 27 songs, including ‗Silly Girl,‘ ‗Suburban Home‘ and ‗When I Get Old,‘ there wasn't anything the band forgot to play. Performing with such joy and conviction, the hour flew by.‖ --Eric Grubbs, DALLAS OBSERVER (Riot Fest-Dallas Review, 9/22/12)

―There‟s something about a Ferris Wheel that can put anyone in a good mood. This year Riot Fest evolved from a collection of shows spread out among several venues to a full-fledged festival in Humboldt Park, with four stages, circus performers, and carnival rides and games. …in our Riot Fest preview founder Mike Petryshyn compared his new baby to a state fair. But unlike most state fairs, Riot Fest is about punk, and the mix of rowdy bands and brightly light attractions proved to be a winning one. Any good carnival combines youthful rambunctiousness with grown-up nostalgia, and the Riot Fest lineup provided for plenty of both as well. Take punk act NOFX, whose juvenile sense of humor seems to defy the aging process; on Sunday afternoon they traded playful, self-deprecating jabs between fast- paced punk tunes. Four hours later Iggy & the Stooges burst onstage, churning out their brutal classic protopunk while Iggy thrashed and yelped…the oppressive atmosphere that tends to hang over large festivals was absent. Maybe it was the pleasant, totally non- sweltering weather, the shady greenery of Humboldt Park, or the remarkably well-behaved crowd, which certainly never felt like tens of thousands of people. The best part had to be the carnival, though—or rather the marriage of punk bands and a carnival. The side attractions functioned as a welcome respite from the sometimes overwhelming festival experience—being stuck in a mass of humanity for eight or ten hours can make any sane person feel claustrophobic. This year at Riot Fest folks could take in a wrestling match while halfway listening to Elvis Costello & the Imposters, or catch an impromptu performance by the Environmental Encroachment marching band in the middle of Hot Water Music‟s set. Sometimes the juxtapositions were perfect: I never thought I‟d get to watch fire jugglers while the Descendents played.‖ --Leor Galil, CHICAGO READER, (9/19/12)

―…the punk rock Gods shed a favorable light upon a small patch of Toronto where punks of all ages came to revel in the experience of their favorite bands including legends such as NoFX and the main attraction, Descendents. …Stealing the show, however, were Toronto locals and hometown heroes … From the minute he hit the stage, Abraham‘s passion for the music was sent throughout the entire crowd. …Their set was capped off by a stunning performance of ‗The Other Shoe‟ off their critically acclaimed album . …The Descendents walked on stage to a sea of people eager to witness their unique brand of punk that is credited with influencing most, if not all modern day pop-punk. Vocalist Mileo Aukerman catapulted into the song „Everything Sucks‟ and there was no looking back as they rocketed forward at breakneck speed through 26 songs, including the favorite „Suburban Home.‘ ...the band returned for one last song, treating the crowd to „Catalina‟ and finishing Riot Fest Toronto with a bang.‖ --Zac Lomas, MIND EQUALS BLOWN (Riot Fest-Toronto Review, 9/24/12)

“Promoter Mike Petryshyn has done the unthinkable: He‟s added another outdoor festival to Chicago. …They went all out in the inaugural year of this format. When the poster reads ―and Carnival‖ they weren‘t kidding. This added such a unique element to what‟s admittedly become such a predictable format these days. All throughout the weekend, thousands upon thousands of patrons waited in line for either the Ferris Wheel, the tilt-a-whirl, or the fun house. It was surreal, but on paper it successfully pushed past the confines of what a music festival can be and what it can offer. Riot Fest, in a way, rewrote the rules. I mean, really, outside of maybe Coachella, where else can you hop on a Ferris Wheel and hear the Descendents blast through choice cuts off ? It‘s pretty cool. Also, Humboldt offers such a beautiful escape. Within the grounds there were little meadows, ponds, and forested areas that offered more than enough natural variety and shade to keep things fresh and ethereal. Maybe it‘s just me, but I appreciate setting just as I do a lineup, and the far out confines of Humboldt allowed for a compact, breezy, and relaxed adventure. Nary a body sported clean, undocumented skin, and if it wasn‘t flagrant tattoos, it was a bevy of costumes, including Bee Ladies, creeps on stilts, and even a portly guy in a popular horse‘s mask. This sort of fare littered the park with character, which coursed through its proverbial spinal column, and culminated in one warm, positive aura. Juxtapose all that with a slight chill in the air each evening and you had Chicago‟s first bonafide fall music festival. Or: It was the closest thing to Utopia that one might achieve at a festival headed by the likes of Iggy and the Stooges. You‘ve gotta respect that.‖ –Michael Roffman, CONSEQUENCE OF SOUND, (9/19/12)

―Riot Fest, a full-day festival that showcases some of punk‟s best, both past and present.‖ --MUCH MUSIC TV (Riot Fest-Toronto Review, ON, 9/13/12)

―It was a great day for punk and metal fans. Hopefully Dallas will see more of Riot Fest next year.‖ --Bobby Hitt, EXAMINER (Riot Fest-Dallas Review, 9/26/12)

―As Riot Fest came to a close, Iggy Pop and what‘s left of his Stooges played the final set of the night to the lions‘ share of the audience, capping off an amazing weekend of music and fun. The first outdoor Riot Fest easily set the bar higher than the other outdoor music festivals and if they do it like this again next year then festivals like Lollapallooza and that Pitchfork fest are going to have to come up with some way of retooling their festivals to equal just what a great experience and value this event was. This was a festival that was truly fun for the whole family and an incredible value for those who bought the multi-day passes.‖ --PUNK VINYL, (Chicago, 9/20/12)

―Riot Fest 2012 was by far the best festival in Chicago all summer. There is no other atmosphere like this festival and it‘s a truly original experience. Make sure you keep an eye out for the 2013 lineup because this festival is only going to get better.‖ --Shawn Kellner, CHICAGO MUSIC MAGAZINE (9/30/12)

―The energy in the amphitheatre was positively radiating as fans anticipated the appearance of one of the most influential punk rock bands in the history of the genre: Descendents. After a lengthy set-up by the band‘s road crew, Milo, Karl, Stephen, and Bill took the stage, much to the approval of the huge crowd that had gathered in the amphitheatre to witness the punk rock powerhouse‘s spectacular performance. Blazing through a classic setlist, comprised of songs like „I Don‟t Wanna Grow Up,‟ „Silly Girl,‟ and „Everything Sucks,‟ the band proved exactly why they are one of the most highly respected forces in punk rock today. The band‘s high level of energy made for a performance that show-goers old and young couldn‘t help but enjoy. …After almost ten hours of amazing musicians doing what they do best, Riot Fest 2012 had come to a close. The festival, having previously been held exclusively in Chicago, has seen some expansion in the number of cities where the event takes place over the last two years and after four phenomenal shows in 2012, it‘s still unclear whether the event will see even further expansion in the coming years. But after the tremendous success the festival saw this year, one thing is for certain: they‘d be foolish not to consider it.‖ --John Michael Lejia, AUSTIN-TEXAS MAGAZINE (Riot Fest-Dallas Review, 9/26/12)

―It‘ll be hard for Riot Fest to top the lineup they unleashed on Humboldt Park Sunday night, but they‘ve got the formula. Drop a legend and some old school masters in to play with newer bands, pack the park with sideshows, and mix in a couple non-punk acts to taste. The result: a dish best served outdoors. Best Sight: Taking in the whole park from atop the Ferris Wheel.” --Gene Wagendorf III, WINDY CITY ROCK (9/22/12)

―Riot Fest showed real ambition by spreading out on the 200 + acres of Humboldt Park for full days of music and classical carnival attractions. Riot Fest was known for showcasing classic 80‘s punk and hardcore alongside pop punk, , and metal. This year the fest embraced a wider range of styles and eras--from the proto-punk of Iggy & the Stooges to the modern garage sounds of White Mystery. Humboldt Park, located in a working class neighborhood in the heart of the city, is a brilliant locale for a music festival and Riot Fest organizers proved to be on point—press check-in was easy, staff and security were helpful and friendly and the lay-out of four stages, vendors and amusements—including a Ferris Wheel, Fun Slide, Tilt-a-Whirl and Whack-a-Mole--was inspired." --August Forte, LUMINO MAGAZINE (Chicago, 9/28/12)

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