Riot Fest is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year by assembling three North American festivals headlined by The Cure this September.
The locations will be Toronto’s Riot Fest & Expo at Downsview Park from Sept. 6 – 9, Chicago’s Riot Fest & Carnival in Humboldt Park from Sept. 12 – 14, and Denver’s Riot Fest & Sideshow at May Farms from Sept. 19 – 21.
“Hard to believe it’s been 10 years,” reflects Michael Petryshyn, founder of the festival.
“Really doesn’t seem it’s been all that long. But, my partner Sean (McKeough) and I are so very lucky that the fans believe in what we do…And I’m just as thankful that a good chunk of our friends from over the years are coming back to play and blow out a few birthday candles alongside us. Between both, that’s what makes this year special.”
Held once again in historic Humboldt park, the festivals flagship Chicago stop features over 100 artists, with a mix of Riot alum and newbies. There will be plenty of surprises, including a special interactive panel discussion with Russian conceptual artists and formerly-imprisoned activists, P*ssy Riot (Nadya Tolokonnikova and Masha Alekhina).
Details on the panel discussion with P*ssy Riot/Zona Prava will be announced in the coming weeks, but fans should anticipate a novel festival experience unlike one ever witnessed at Riot.
There will also be several reunion shows including Samhain, Blue Meanies, Saosin w/ Anthony Green, Failure, RX Bandits and Mineral,
as well as special appearances by Paul Weller, C*ck Sparrer, Mudhoney, Cheap Trick, Patti Smith, Gwar, Thurston Moore and more!
Riot Fest arrives in Denver for the second year for three days of music, rides and other attractions in view of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at May Farms in Byers, Colorado.
This year, organizers have streamlined parking, camping operations and other aspects of the festival, while capital improvements are being made to the site itself.
Toronto’s festival lineup was released last week and organizers are happy to add The Cure to the bill at Downsview Park, where they join City and Colour, Metric, Rise Against, The National, and a multitude of others. The fest’s move to Downsview will allow rides and other attractions this year as well.
Tickets for all 3 Riot Fests are on sale now via Ticketfly.
More band announcements and more 10th Anniversary surprises are still to come, but until then…
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Posted by: Amy Leet, Contributing Music News Editor
