Review: Riot Fest 2024 Returns with a Celebration of Music and Mayhem
RIOT FEST 2024 – made a triumphant return to Douglass Park from September 20-22, proving once again why it remains one of Chicago’s most beloved festivals. Known for its eclectic mix of punk, rock and alternative acts, this year’s edition featured an impressive lineup that catered to both die-hard fans and newcomers alike. Headlining the festival were hard rock heavyweights Slayer, Rob Zombie, Taking Back Sunday, Beck, and NOFX, whose sets offered unforgettable performances, delivering the kind of raw energy that Riot Fest is famous for.
Since its inception in 2005, the festival has evolved to reflect the diversity and intensity of Chicago’s music scene, while still maintaining its core identity as a haven for alternative and countercultural artists. At the heart of the festival is a sense of community with fans coming together to celebrate a shared love for music that defies the mainstream.
Beyond the music, the festival experience was everything fans have come to expect from Riot Fest: a celebration of counterculture with fun carnival rides, plenty of pop-up record stores and merch booths at Riotland. The return to Douglass Park felt like a homecoming for both the festival and the community that surrounds it.
The 2024 lineup was a punk rock dream come true, with The Hives, Gwar and Suicidal Tendencies being highlights of the festival. Each brought their own flavor of chaos and energy, creating iconic moments for attendees.
Friday, September 20
Photography Credit: Kimberly Kapela
Zheani kicked off Riot Fest in spectacular fashion, making her U.S. festival debut on Friday morning at the Radical Stage. The Australia-based independent artist greeted the crowd with “Let’s get absolutely fucking feral!” Opening with a bone-chilling scream, she immediately captivated the crowd, who were taken on an intense emotional journey that included moments of moaning, crying and primal roars. Zheani’s set was both beautiful and brutal, filled with an overwhelming sense of release as she alternated between delicate, ethereal vocals and vicious, guttural screams.
Zheani's haunting presence was amplified by her dancers, who were covered in creepy face paint, evoking a ghostly, ritualistic atmosphere. The dancers moved with eerie grace, adding to the unsettling yet hypnotic nature of the performance.
The setlist was a blend of Zheani’s older tracks and fan favorites, including “Melt Away” and the explosive “Napalm” that embodies her fearless, no-holds-barred attitude. Zheani’s feral energy and boundary-pushing performance made her Riot Fest debut one to remember.
Photography Credit: Heriberto Gallegos
Taking the stage with a commanding presence, Winona Fighter, the alt-rock/pop-punk band delivered a high-energy performance that had the crowd buzzing from the first note. Frontwoman Coco led the charge, bringing an infectious energy that kept the audience fully engaged. Fans were treated to a live debut of their newly released track, “Swear to God I’m Fine,” a song that showcases Winona Fighter’s knack for blending classic pop-punk energy with emotionally raw lyrics.
Midway through their set, Winona Fighter surprised the crowd with a cover of Turnstile’s “BLACKOUT.”
One of the standout moments of the performance came when Coco took a brief pause before launching into the next song. “This song is dedicated to the men who lay their hands on women. There’s no room for that in the scene,” she declared. Coco’s presence as a frontwoman was magnetic, blending charisma, grit, and an unfiltered authenticity that connected deeply with the crowd.
Photography Credit: Heriberto Gallegos
Mexican hard rock trio The Warning took the stage by storm, delivering a powerhouse performance that left the crowd dancing. Consisting of sisters Daniela, Paulina and Alejandra Villarreal, The Warning have made a name for themselves with their fierce, high-energy shows, and their Riot Fest debut was no exception.
The Warning performed “Qué Más Quieres,” a hard-hitting track that showcased their blend of heavy rock and their Mexican roots. The song, performed entirely in Spanish, brought a unique flavor to the Riot Fest stage. Daniela’s commanding vocals, paired with Alejandra’s driving basslines and Paulina’s ferocious drumming, created a wall of sound that reverberated through the park.
Fan favorites like “Six Feet Under” and “Hell You Call a Dream” turned the energy up even higher. The Warning’s stage presence is a masterclass in modern hard rock, delivered with a fresh perspective and unstoppable, emotionally charged force.
Photography Credit: Heriberto Gallegos
Known for their irresistible blend of pop hooks and rock elements, The Aces brought both sonic and emotional power to the stage. From their playful pop hits to their more hard-hitting, rock-driven ballads, The Aces showcased their versatility and incredible chemistry, capturing the hearts of the festival crowd.
One of the standout moments of their set came when they debuted their latest single, “Magic,” a track that effortlessly blends the band’s signature pop sound with a more guitar-driven rock edge. Beyond the music itself, The Aces made space for something even more significant: queer acceptance and the creation of safe spaces. Throughout the set, lead singer Ramirez took several moments to speak directly to the crowd, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and queer visibility.
That message of love and acceptance flowed naturally into their music. Songs like “Daydream” and “New Emotion” had the crowd dancing and singing along, while harder-hitting tracks like “Girls Make Me Wanna Die” added a grittier, rock-tinged vibe that resonated just as deeply.
Photography Credit: Heriberto Gallegos
Suicidal Tendencies brought Riot Fest a jolt of pure, unfiltered punk energy, transporting festival-goers back to the raw, chaotic punk scene of 1980s California. The iconic crossover thrash band, led by frontman Mike Muir, delivered a blistering set that was equal parts aggressive, inspiring and nostalgic.
Suicidal Tendencies tapped into the raw power that made them legends. Their setlist featured classic tracks that resonated with longtime fans and newcomers alike, each song delivered with blistering speed and intensity. The band’s musical prowess was on full display, with shredding guitar riffs, rapid-fire drums, and Muir’s fiery vocal delivery bringing a relentless surge of adrenaline to the crowd. It was a sonic assault that harkened back to the early days of hardcore punk, yet felt just as vital and necessary in 2024.
In between the fury of songs, Muir took time to address the audience with speeches that were both inspiring and deeply personal. Muir created a powerful moment when he dedicated a song “to the skaters and people who refuse to skate through life,” capturing the defiant energy that has long defined Suicidal Tendencies' music.
Saturday, September 21
Photography Credit: Abra Richardson
Hometown favorites Pixel Grip set the tone for Saturday at Riot Fest, kicking off the day with an electrifying performance that showcased their fierce musical prowess. Known for their blend of dark techno, industrial soundscapes and pulsating beats, the trio brought an intense, high-energy set that had the crowd dancing in the heat from the very first note.
Opening with their signature dark, atmospheric sound, the band immediately immersed the audience in their hypnotic beats. With frontwoman Rita Lukea’s commanding vocals cutting through the swirling industrial synths and thumping basslines, the intensity of their performance was commanding. Despite the blazing heat, the crowd couldn’t help but move to Pixel Grip’s infectious, dark rhythms.
One of the highlights of their set came with the performance of their newly released track, “Stamina.” As the band dove into the song, Lukea shared, “This is the biggest show I’ve ever played. This is the biggest crowd I’ve played to.”
Photography Credit: Heriberto Gallegos
Philadelphia-based band Sweet Pill made a memorable impression at Riot Fest, delivering a passionate set that captured the raw energy of 2000s pop-punk while adding their own modern twist. With a sound reminiscent of the golden era of pop-punk, Sweet Pill blended emotional ballads with frenetic guitar riffs, all anchored by catchy hooks that had the crowd singing along.
Their Riot Fest set showcased the range of their musical identity, taking the audience on an emotional rollercoaster from slower, pop-driven ballads to cathartic, guitar-heavy frenzies. The band’s set was largely focused on songs from their latest EP, Starchild, which was released earlier this year. Frontwoman Zayna Youssef’s vocals were both heartfelt and powerful, effortlessly switching between delicate vulnerability and intense, passionate delivery..
Carrying the pop-punk torch forward, Sweet Pill crafts a sound that is both nostalgic and refreshingly new.
Photography Credit: Abra Richardson
The Hives emerged as one of the standout acts of Riot Fest, delivering a performance that embodied the true spirit of punk. Known for their infectious energy and wild stage presence, the Swedish rockers commanded the stage with an energy that left the crowd buzzing long after their set ended. Diving headfirst into their latest record, The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons, The Hives brought a furious energy that remained true to their punk roots while performing their fresh, hard-hitting new material.
Kicking off their set with “Bogus Operandi,” the band set the tone for what would become a high-energy performance. Frontman Pelle Almqvist, as always, was the charismatic ringleader, hyping up the audience with his explosive energy and larger-than-life persona. His interaction with the crowd kept the excitement alive, making every moment feel electric.
The band launched into another track from their new record, “Rigor Mortis Radio,” a ferocious song with punchy rhythms and catchy hooks that had the crowd chanting along. The new material was met with as much enthusiasm as the band’s classic hits, proving that The Hives still know how to craft songs that make an immediate impact.
The Hives brought an energy to Riot Fest that harkened back to the pure, unadulterated chaos of early punk shows. Almqvist’s connection with the crowd made the set feel like a spectacle, yet it never lost the raw, punk edge that makes The Hives so beloved.
Sunday, September 22
Photography Credit: Heriberto Gallegos
On a rain-soaked Sunday, Sunami set the tone for the day with a primal performance that turned the festival grounds into a chaotic, adrenaline-fueled spectacle. Despite the relentless downpour, the California hardcore band powered through with an intensity that electrified the crowd and transformed the soggy atmosphere into one of the most exciting moments of the weekend.
As the rain poured down, the festival grounds became a muddy playground, and Sunami's fans wasted no time embracing the chaos. Mosh pits erupted in the mud. It wasn't long before the crowd took things to the next level, hurling clumps of mud onto the stage as Sunami continued to tear through their set.
The downpour only seemed to amplify the excitement, with the band delivering crushing breakdowns and fierce, guttural vocals that had the audience thrashing in the mud without hesitation. Frontman Josef Alfonso commanded the stage with a magnetic presence. Tracks like “Gate Crasher” and “Contempt of Cop” blasted through the storm with ruthless precision, turning the stage into a hardcore battleground as fans reveled in the muddy mayhem.
Photography Credit: Abra Richardson
Making their Riot Fest debut amidst heavy rain, Gel delivered one of the most explosive and raw performances of the festival. The New Jersey hardcore band ripped through tracks from their acclaimed album Only Constant and showcased their latest Persona EP, starting their set with the thrashing intensity of “Martyr” and “Mirage.”
As Gel launched into their first song, mosh pits erupted in the mud. Fans threw themselves into the frenzy, mud flying everywhere as some even began mud-wrestling. It was a pure, unfiltered display of hardcore’s primal energy, and Gel proved that they are masters of channeling that raw power.
Frontwoman Sami Kaiser’s guttural screams echoed through the storm, while the band's distorted riffs and thunderous drumming shook the festival grounds. Their sound is unapologetically gritty and unrefined, with nothing overly polished or produced, which is precisely what makes it so compelling. Gel’s live performance wasn’t about perfection; it was about capturing the essence of hardcore in its rawest, most visceral form.
Their Riot Fest debut, soaked in rain and mud, was a visceral reminder of what hardcore is meant to be: unapologetic, real, and relentlessly energetic.
Photography Credit: Abra Richardson
Intergalactic metalheads Gwar are no strangers to the chaos of Riot Fest, and their 2024 performance was nothing short of a blood-soaked spectacle. The grotesque rockers from Richmond, Virginia, opened with “Let Us Slay” and immediately setting the tone for the carnage to come. In true Gwar fashion, the band drenched the crowd in a torrent of fake blood, much to the delight of their devoted fans.
True to their infamous live shows, Gwar unleashed a barrage of theatrical absurdity, blending metal with grotesque humor and larger-than-life personas. As they ripped into their set, including fan-favorite “The Sordid Soliloquy of Sawborg Destructo,” the audience was more than willing to get soaked in the chaos, crowd-surfing through the rivers of red.
Their signature combination of shock rock, heavy riffs, and grotesque theatrics transported the audience into their twisted universe of intergalactic warfare and destruction. Whether it was the heavy, punishing riffs or the outrageous, gory antics on stage, Gwar's set was a brutal reminder of why they remain one of the most beloved and bizarre acts to ever grace the festival.
In an exclusive interview with Luna, Gwar reflected on their legacy of mayhem and boundary-pushing performances. When asked about their enduring presence in the metal world and the outrageous antics that have made them festival favorites, the rockers didn’t hold back: “Gwar is always going to push every boundary, because we're not from this planet,” they shared. “So we're going to be trying to incite as many problems into your minds as possible.”
True to their word, Gwar has made it their mission to shatter every norm and expectation.
“Riot Fest is like our second home,” the band said. “They love us here. We love them. And on top of that, we've definitely had a lot of fun times closing out shows here. We bathe ourselves with the blood of the previous audience because we need to use that to psych ourselves up to kill this audience.”
Photography Credit: Riot Fest
Closing out Riot Fest with an unforgettable presence, Rob Zombie brought his signature brand of shock rock and horror-filled theatrics to the stage for the final stop on his Freaks on Parade tour. Known for his performances that blur the lines between music and horror cinema, Zombie’s set was nothing short of spectacular, featuring aliens dancing alongside him as he launched into his opener, “Demon Speeding.” The night was a thrilling blend of nostalgia and spectacle, with Zombie embracing his role as the master of grotesque rock.
Zombie’s setlist spanned his storied career, delivering fan favorites with the raw energy that has made him a fixture of hard rock and metal. Midway through his performance, he reached back to his White Zombie days, tearing into the iconic “More Human Than Human.”
When it came time for “Living Dead Girl,” Zombie made a special moment for the women in the audience. He invited all the women to sit on someone's shoulders, dedicating the haunting song to them. He ended the night with his most iconic anthem, “Dragula,” sending the crowd into a frenzy. Zombie’s closing set was the perfect way to wrap up a weekend filled with diverse and electric performances.
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