Riot Fest 20th: Blink-182, Weezer, Green Day

Riot Fest celebrated its 20th anniversary Sept. 19–21 at Douglass Park in Chicago, headlined by Blink-182, Weezer (performing the Blue Album) and Green Day. The independent festival preserved its DIY ethos with reunions, full-album sets and a deep undercard that included Alkaline Trio, Bad Religion, The Effigies and newer local acts. RiotLand returned with carnival rides, a flea market and food vendors, and organizers partnered with neighborhood venues for after-parties that emphasized the festival’s Chicago ties. Promoters staged playful surprises — from non-musician bookings to John Stamos teases — while longtime co-founder “Riot Mike” reflected on the event’s growth from a 2005 DIY weekend into a large-scale cultural fixture. Organizers secured a three-year permit from the Chicago Park District despite mixed neighborhood reactions about noise, traffic and trash, and the festival’s consistent scale helped it remain an alternative to larger fests like Lollapalooza.