Every year, music fans from around the world anticipate who’ll be playing at Riot Fest, the Chicago festival made famous for diverse, innovative lineups, set amongst a fan-friendly three-day celebration of punk, rock ‘n’ roll, hip-hop, metal, indie rock, roots music, and just about everything in between.

Blink 182, Beck, Elvis Costello, Incubus, Interpol, Blondie, Father John Misty, Young the Giant, Alkaline Trio, the Jesus Lizard, Rock n' Roll Pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis and Dozens More Revealed.

Now in its 14th year, Riot Fest has continued its tradition of being left of the dial, defying the homogeneity seen in many festivals. 2018 brings a cavalcade of incredible artists across five stages in historic Douglas Park. Announced headliners include Blink-182 and Beck (with a third to be revealed during Riot Fest’s second wave lineup announcement, coming in a few weeks). From legends such as Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Costello, to from the socially-conscious rhymes of Atmosphere, to the mainstream rock sounds of Young the Giant, there is truly something for every music lover.

Other notable Riot Fest 2018 bookings include Incubus, Blondie, Interpol, and the return of Russian rabble-rousers Pussy Riot (performing a few years after hosting a truly gripping panel on music and protest with Henry Rollins at Riot Fest 2014). Father John Misty makes his debut at the fest, along with the Jesus Lizard, Gary Numan, and Liz Phair. Pop culture fans will be interested in checking out the first ever Chicago show from Calpurnia (featuring Finn Wolfhard from Netflix’s Stranger Things and the 2017 horror flick, It), as well as family-friendly caped crusaders the Aquabats. In addition, Digable Planets and Cypress Hill are bringing the beats. At the core of it all, the punk rock foundation on which Riot Fest was founded is represented; from classic bands like Fear, Adolescents, Total Chaos, Bad Religion, and the Exploited to the generation of groups they inspired, repped by Sum 41, Alkaline Trio, Underoath, Dillinger Four, and so many more. Mind you, this is merely the first wave of bands; more headliners and other artists will be revealed in due time... and as usual, there will be performances of iconic full albums to be announced shortly.

RIOT FEST 2018 FIRST WAVE LINEUP:

Blink-182, Beck, Elvis Costello & the Imposters, Incubus, Young the Giant, Interpol, Blondie, Alkaline Trio, Father John Misty, Jerry Lee Lewis, Dropkick Murphys, Bleachers, Atmosphere, Flogging Molly, Cypress Hill, Bad Religion, Underoath, Matt and Kim, the Jesus Lizard, Sum 41, the Voidz, the Front Bottoms, Twin Peaks, K.Flay, Suicidal Tendencies, Bullet For My Valentine, Clutch, the Wonder Years, Digable Planets, Liz Phair, Cat Power, Gary Numan, Killing Joke, Hot Snakes, Wolfmother, Moose Blood, SWMRS, Johnny Marr, Superchunk, JD McPherson, Reignwolf, Lagwagon, Pussy Riot, FEAR, Andrew W.K., GWAR, the Aquabats, Hobo Johnson & the Lovemakers, Face to Face, the Exploited, the Bouncing Souls, Dillinger Four, Conflict, Piebald, Adolescents, the Avengers, Cobra Skulls, HEALTH, Calpurnia, Kevin Devine, the Frights, the Districts, Arkells, the Audition, Spitalfield, Flor, Speedy Ortiz, Bully, Lower Class Brats, Total Chaos, the Fever 333, Direct Hit!, Mom Jeans., Mannequin Pussy, Pronoun, Beach Goons, the Bombpops, Badflower, Save Face, Super Whatevr, Beach Bunny, No Small Children, and featuring Hellzapoppin’ Circus Sideshow Revue

Poster Art Download Link

Riot Fest takes place September 14, 15, and 16 in Chicago’s historic Douglas Park, a large and beautiful oasis set against the backdrop of the Windy City’s glorious skyline.

Riot Fest 2018 3-day passes are on sale now, available in General Admission and three tiers of upgraded VIP options. All passes can be purchased via the following links:

Bit.ly/RF18-Tickets
RiotFest.org/Tickets

Riot Fest also offers a layaway program for fans to pay off their tickets incrementally during the months leading up to the festival.

LAYAWAY TICKETING LINK:
TicketF.ly/2kyGlYB

Founded in 2005, Riot Fest features amazing food vendors, sideshow performers, rides, plenty of beer, and much more. Riot Fest is wholly independent of corporate interests, and curated with its fans interests and hearts in mind. In addition to the music, the festival often has quirky, original attractions. Over the years Riot Fest has presented Lucha Libre (Mexican Wrestling), freak shows, a butter sculpturist, and a snowball fight... as well as a full carnival with games and rides. The fest—staged annually in Chicago by community-minded music fanatics—was named #1 Music Festival by USA Today in 2016.