Even as summer draws to a close, the Douglass Park neighborhood of Chicago isn’t ready to go quietly. It’s September, which means it ain’t over until that one last festival burns through the park. Outfitted in black t-shirts, battle vests, trucker hats, and mohawks, the punks, goths, ghouls, and emos lined up in droves. Throwing fists in the air and singing to the top of their lungs, a generation-spanning audience came to celebrate everything good in rock n’ roll counter-culture.
It could only be Riot Fest 2023!
I’ve been covering Riot at this publication for many years. In fact, I’ve gone from being the new kid on the scene to an editorial elder. Over the years, having a distinct angle for my coverage has become a point of pride. I’ve questioned my love/hate relationship with crowds and rallied against nostalgia. I’ve even laid down my arms and accepted that I’m not as young as I used to be. Some of my favorite acts have gotten older even as younger ones climb the ranks. Looking backward and forward, I can’t help but question where I stand in the grand scheme of things.
However, for Riot Fest 2023, I went into the weekend old school: no game plan, just reckless abandon.
I simply didn’t have the luxury to prep like I normally do, which was both nerve-wracking and freeing. After validating my press credentials I mapped things out with my festival colleague, BGM’s very own, unsinkable Judie Vegh. Then my day started at the Riot Stage for Olivia Jean. Part goth and part 1960s garage rock, Olivia’s retro sound gave me enough energy to run over to the Rebels stage for the last half of The Bobby Lees. I followed that set with Quasi at the Roots stage.
But then my first dilemma occurred: Should I give in to nostalgia and run over to the Radical stage to catch Hawthorne Heights for the first time since 2006? To my own surprise, Hawthorne Heights became not only the highlight of Day 1 but a strong contender for my favorite set of the entire weekend!
Next up was the rapid trio of Oso Oso, Code Orange, and Kim Gordon. Later, I was catching Quicksand perform Slip in its entirety. After a quick visit to the press area, I caught The Breeders performing The Last Splash before finding a nice grassy area to sit down while The Foo Fighters closed out the day.
Day 2 of Riot Fest 2023 started with 2 Red Bulls. I needed them.
Musically, I began with the chaos of Enola Gay at the Roots stage followed by Snapcase at the Rise stage. Then it was time for the ironic (maybe unironic?) spectacle of Corey Feldman at the Rebels stage. I wasn’t sure if the thousands of people present were there to laugh at Feldman or quench their morbid curiosity. But whatever their plan, every single person left shocked as it was easily one of the wildest sets of the day! Part Michael Jackson and part David Lee Roth, Feldman was energetic and endearing. Showmanship aside, I have a feeling he’s far more self-aware than most give him credit for.
Next up, I split my time between the goth royalty of T.S.O.L. and the ’90s-inspired throwback of White Reaper. I then watched Viagra Boys bring the Roots stage to the club before I absorbed the aural whirlwind of Head Automatica, the fury of Death Grips, and the snotty punk of PUP.
Another first for me (and Riot Fest) was the controversial, over-the-top antics of Insane Clown Posse!
Admittedly, the last time I heard anything from ICP was 1999 when I realized the Juggalos weren’t a joke but a real-life fandom. I didn’t really know what to expect when I thought about Douglas Park being infiltrated by thousands of individuals covered in clown makeup. However, just as Steve Albini discussed on my podcast episode, the Juggalo fandom was respectful and inclusive.
In fact, they get my vote for being some of the nicest fandom I’ve ever encountered at any show I’ve ever been to. And you know what? Insane Clown Posse brought the house down during their set. A worthy replacement for the absence of GWAR this year. I might even be willing to check out more of ICP’s music in the future! Have I become an honorary Juggalo?
Mr. Bungle closed out Day 2 for me with just the right amount of thrash and lounge jazz. I was especially delighted to hear their cover of Slayer’s “Hell Awaits” as a fitting end to my night.
After Day 2 came to a close, an unforgiving rainstorm hit Chicago.
The relentless weather system caused a 3-hour delay on the opening of Day 3 as crews vacuumed large amounts of rain from the grounds. Sadly, this caused several bands to have their sets axed. Thus, my Day 3 started with Thursday and Cults.
I followed that up with another one of my favorite sets of the weekend, The Black Angels. It just doesn’t get much cooler than that gang. The cool factor was so infectious, I swear my jeans got skinnier, my shirt blacker, and shades darker. After their set, I was at least 28% cooler for the remainder of Riot Fest 2023.
The vibes continued with the legendary RIDE reminding me that “Vapor Trails” is what falling in love sounds like.
After that, it was a non-stop onslaught of LS Dunes, H20, and Gorilla Biscuits before things got atmospherically weird with The Mars Volta. My evening closed with the final headliner, The Cure. I probably don’t have to describe how perfect their set was and why the band is so important to so many people. But I will say this: believe the hype. If you get the opportunity to see The Cure live, take advantage.
With that, Riot Fest 2023 was over.
Tired, hungry, achy, and maybe a little emotional, I found my way to my car for the trip home. I had no injuries or otherworldly experiences I’d tell future grandkids about. For me, there may not have been a legendary defining moment of a band reuniting or some new artist I discovered. Outside of Corey Feldman or ICP, I didn’t really challenge myself (although I still don’t like Flogging Molly).
But I did have a personal moment of clarity toward the end of Day 1.
On Tuesday, September 12th, 2023 (a mere three days before Riot Fest) a rotten limb fell from the top of the tree in my backyard. It landed on the pole where the main breaker connects to my house, knocking the power out. The electric company wouldn’t fix it due to being “customer-owned.” They turned the power off remotely so an electrician could replace it, and then claimed they would turn it back once the repairs were made. Twenty-four hours and $1500 later, I called the electric company letting me know it was safe to turn the power back on, but they had no idea what I was talking about. Needless to say, I had to fight with them every hour for the next 3 days.
Sadly, on Day 1 of Riot Fest, I was checking out sets and then running back to the press area to call the electric company to ask them when my power was being restored. It was building up to be a long-fruitless battle that could zap all the fun out of the weekend I looked forward to all year.
What does this have to do with Riot Fest 2023? Nothing at all.
But if you’re around my age, you probably understand the woes of adulthood. Whether it’s the mundane responsibility or the insufferable calamity, my generation is getting older. And the older we get, the sours can often outweigh our sweets. Unfortunately, my lack of power caused me to miss my traditional pre-festival prep. But once I made a choice to let go of the things out of my control, I could enjoy the rest of the weekend for what it was.
It was at that very moment that it all clicked: My good mood was back, and the fun was there. Just how it has always been when I was younger. Sure, I didn’t have a game plan and didn’t score any interviews, but I had fun in spite of what the world had thrown at me.
Oh, and my power was eventually restored before the weekend was over.
All photos by Judie Vegh of OyVegh Photography
