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When is Riot Fest in 2015? | ![]() |
The 2015 Riot Fest will be held in 3 different locations on 3 different dates:
Denver: Starts on Friday, August 28th and ends on Sunday, August 30th.
Chicago: Starts on Friday, September 11th and ends on Sunday, September 13th.
Toronto: Starts on Saturday, September 19th and ends on Sunday, September 20th.
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What is Riot Fest? | ![]() |
Riot Fest is an alternative music festival featuring punk and rock artists from across the United States. The main concert is held each year in Humboldt Park in Chicago, Illinois. However, smaller Riot Fest spinoff events have also taken place in others host cities such as Brooklyn, Dallas, Denver, and Toronto. What was once purely a musical event has been enhanced with carnival rides, Lucha Libre (Mexican wrestling), and other entertainments. Approximately 20,000 people attend the Chicago event on each day of the long weekend.
The initial lineup in 2005 featured the Dead Kennedys, The Misfits, and similar bands. These days, the weekend event at the Chicago venue boasts 45-50 bands. In recent years, emo, ska, metal core, and indie pop sounds have all found an accepting audience at Riot Fest. Performing acts have included Elvis Costello and the Imposters and Autumn Burns Red. The festival organizers emphasize the use of local bands such as Alkaline Trio and Screeching Weasel and have been instrumental in orchestrating reunions for bands such as Naked Raygun.