Riot Fest 2024: A Wild Ride Through Music and Mayhem in Chicago

Heading into Chicago for the first time, we had high expectations for Riot Fest 2024, and let’s just say—it did not disappoint. From the moment we arrived, the excitement was palpable. Parking, however? That was chaotic. Navigating the city was an adventure in itself, but after finally finding a spot, we wasted no time diving into the festival grounds to get a feel for the layout.

One of the biggest surprises was just how much there was to do beyond the music. With multiple stages running live performances simultaneously, we constantly had to make tough choices about who to see, which unfortunately meant missing a few friends’ sets. But Riot Fest is so much more than just the stages—there was something happening everywhere, from wild pop-up performances to unexpected moments of pure festival madness.

The lineup was stacked every single day, featuring some of the biggest names across multiple genres. Rob Zombie, Sum 41, Slayer, GWAR, Sincere Engineer, Urethane, Hot Mulligan, NOFX, and the Marley brothers—the list goes on and on. If I named everyone, I’d practically be reciting the entire festival roster.

Day one was scorching hot, but that only added to the intensity of the performances. Days two and three brought much-needed rain, setting the stage for real punk-style mud mosh pits at almost every stage—pure Riot Fest energy. At any given moment, you could catch a guy dressed as Sasquatch playing a saxophone, while across the way, a couple was literally getting married. That’s the kind of unpredictability that makes Riot Fest so special.

Slayer’s headlining day was an event in itself. Even before the gates opened, you could hear festivalgoers chanting “Slayer” throughout the grounds—the energy was unreal. When they finally took the stage, they absolutely delivered, putting on one of the best performances I’ve ever seen from them.

There were so many standout moments, but a few that really stuck with me:

• Hot Mulligan transported me straight back to my Emo Punk days.
• Rob Zombie and Sum 41 hit me with a huge wave of nostalgia, reminding me why their music has stood the test of time.
• The sheer chaos, community, and energy of the festival—there’s nothing quite like it.

Riot Fest 2024 was an unforgettable experience, and we’re already hoping to return again next year for another round of madness. Chicago, you treated us well—until next time!