16 must-see acts at Riot Fest Chicago

By Metro Times editorial staff on Wed, Sep 14, 2016 at 6:37 pm

Detroit has become the home of many music festivals, but we mostly lack is an alternative rock festival where you can see the alt acts of the 90s converge with indie rockers of the 00s. Luckily for us, Chicago is not too far away by car or train and they have one of the best music festivals of late summer/early fall: Riot Fest. With an impressive lineup of the Misfits, Ween, Morrissey, The Flaming Lips, Sleater-Kinney, and tons of others — we couldn't stay away from this festival.

Here are 16 acts that you won't want to miss if you're traveling to Chicago this weekend for Riot Fest. All photos come from Riot Fest's website and Facebook.

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The Original Misfits
Okay, so it’s not all of the original Misfits, but singer Glenn Danzig and bassist Jerry Only will be in attendance to bring fans back to the gory-core days of Misfits rage. Sure, reunion shows can sometimes be a little awkward at times, but the Misfits are what reunion show dreams are made of, and they will be the perfect closing act to the weekend festival. Sunday @ 8:45 p.m., Riot Stage

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Sleater-Kinney
I don’t there’s any doubt that we have an undenying love for Sleater-Kinney here at the Metro Times. Corin Tucker, Carrie Brownstein, and Janet Weiss regrouped after a decade for 2015’s No Cities to Love and are clearly showing no signs of stopping. You won’t want to miss this riot grrrl sensation. Sunday @ 7:40 p.m., Rock Stage

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Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas
Our hometown hero Jessica Hernandez and her band the Deltas are heading out on tour to play some new songs from the band’s forthcoming sophomore album that will be released in 2017. Hernandez has a cool Amy Winehouse-vibe and her show will be a much more relaxed show than some of the other acts that play Riot Fest. If you’re from Detroit and going to Riot Fest, you need to see Hernandez and show a little hometown support. Saturday @ 1:30 p.m., Riot Stage

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Death Cab for Cutie
The Pacific Northwest is well represented at this year’s Riot Fest, and one of those bands happens to be indie rockers Death Cab for Cutie. After longtime guitarist Chris Walla left the band last year, Ben Gibbord and company are still chugging away at making music and touring. Expect some new songs from last year’s Kintsugi as well as favorite songs like “I Will Follow You Into the Dark” and “Transatlanticism.” Saturday @ 7:15 p.m., Roots Stage
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Descendents
I mean, it’s the Descendents. THE DESCENDENS, Y’ALL. Most of the bands that are playing Riot Fest owe everything to this band. We are so excited. Saturday @ 6:05 p.m., Rock Stage.
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Method Man & Redman
Method Man will be performing at Riot Fest and we’re not sure if we can keep our cool. That is all. Saturday @ 7:00 p.m., Rise Stage
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Juliette Lewis
We loooooove Juliette Lewis. How can you not, though? She’s one hell of an actress and an even more amazing singer of a rock band. Lewis has been on tour with her band the Licks for much of this summer, and if you caught her show at El Club a few weeks ago then you know what we’re talking about. Sunday @ 2:30 p.m., Rock Stage.
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The Flaming Lips
After touring with Miley Cyrus as her “Dead Petz” last year, Wayne Coyne and the rest of The Flaming Lips will be a solid headliner for Friday night. The Lips are known for their extravagant and wildly outrageous shows so we are all kinds of excited to see what kind of wacky shenanigans the psych-rockers come up with. Friday @ 8:45 p.m., Riot Stage.
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Brand New
After touring with Modest Mouse this summer and releasing three new vinyls, Brand New is playing the main stage at Riot Fest and is heading out on another tour with The Front Bottoms. Another fantastic band from the mid 00’s that is still making great music and staying relevant. Saturday @ 6:15 p.m., Riot Stage.
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All Time Low
How can you not love All Time Low? The punk rock band that is so clearly inspired by bands like Green Day and Blink 182, All Time Low have solidified themselves in the punk rock genre and have lasted well into this decade given they were a lot more popular back in the heyday of Warped Tour. Friday @ 7:00 p.m., Rise Stage.
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Jimmy Eat World
Another band from the late 90’s/early ‘00s that we are so excited to see. Jimmy Eat World are one of the best rock bands from that era. Their new album comes out in late October so expect to hear some new music from this iconic band. Friday @ 6:05 p.m., Riot Stage.
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Nas
You think that all you’re going to see if punk rock goodness at Riot Fest, but then they throw curveballs in there like Method Man and Nas to shake things up and give a little something for everyone. Fun fact: Nas was once married to Kelis! Saturday @ 8:45 p.m., Rise Stage.
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Fitz & the Tantrums
This LA-band borders the line of indie pop and neo soul and just released their third and self-titled album. If you haven’t heard of Fitz & the Tantrums, you may recognize them from their radio hits “HandClap”, “The Walker”, and “More Than Just a Dream.” Saturday @ 5:15 p.m., Roots Stage.
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Ween
After a 4-year hiatus, Ween is back to performing and touring. Dean and Gene Ween have been playing shows all summer (they played a roaring set at this year’s Bonnaroo) and they have never sounded better. Get ready for a great attack of nostalgia. Friday @ 7:10 p.m., Roots Stage.
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Motion City Soundtrack
This is Motion City Soundtrack’s last show. If you’ve ever been a fan of the band, this is your last chance! Saturday @ 3:15 p.m., Roots Stage.
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Nots
One of the possible breakthrough acts of Riot Fest, Nots is an all-female band from Memphis that slays on guitars and is compared to The Stooges. That’s a big name, expically for music fans of Detroit, so we are excited to see this band kill it. Saturday @ 2:30 p.m., Rebel Stage.
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