Last week, we learned that the classic lineup of punk icons the Misfits would reunite at Riot Fest, but this morning organizers unleashed the festival's initial lineup. The headliners alone are worth the price of admission, including former Smiths frontman Morrissey, reunited alt-rockers Ween, earnest indie rock act Death Cab for Cutie and heavy metal frontman Rob Zombie (playing Astro-Creep: 2000). As usual, unofficial Riot Fest mascots Andrew W.K. and GWAR will also be performing in Douglas Park, but there are even more reasons you'll want to clear your calendar on September 16–18.
The remainder of the lineup is heavy on punk bands, including returning acts such as Social Distortion (who will be performing White Light, White Heat, White Trash), NOFX, Descendents and Bad Religion. Building on previous years, hip-hop artists maintain a presence on the bill, most notably Nas, GZA, Method Man & Redman and Joey Bada$$. Indie rock fans will also be pleased with the inclusion of the Hold Steady (performing Boys and Girls in America), Bob Mould, Bleached and Eskimeaux.
Some of the more interesting additions to the lineup include long-dormant bespoke Swedish rockers the Hives, revived experimental hip-hop act Death Grips (hopefully they won't repeat their infamous Lollapalooza no-show), electronic weirdo Dan Deacon and Natural Born Killers star Juliette Lewis fronting her band, the Licks.
Take a look at the full lineup below and stay tuned for further additions and announcements in the coming months—organizers are promising a few more surprises before gates open in September. Hopefully none of those "surprises" include tofu corn dogs the day that noted vegetarian Morrissey performs.
The Misfits (Featuring Glenn Danzig, Jerry Only and Wolfgang Von Frankenstein)
Morrissey
Ween
Death Cab For Cutie
Social Distortion
Rob Zombie
Brand New
Nas
Deftones
The Specials
Fitz & The Tantrums
Jimmy Eat World
Descendents
Refused
NOFX
Bad Religion
Pierce The Veil
All Time Low
Underoath
Motion City Soundtrack
Thursday
Jake Bugg
The Hives
Death Grips
Chevy Metal
Bob Mould
The Hold Steady
Glassjaw
Me First and The Gimme Gimmes
Pepper, Tiger Army
Meat Puppets
GZA
The Wonder Years
Method Man & Redman
Dan Deacon
Dee Snider
Andrew W.K.
Joey Bada$$
GWAR
Leftöver Crack
Billy Talent
The Anniversary
Neck Deep
Highly Suspect
Smoking Popes
Fucked Up
The Vandals
The Dillinger Escape Plan
Girls Against Boys
Fu Manchu
The Falcon
I The Mighty
The Toasters
Set Your Goals
Juliette Lewis & The Licks
FrnkIero andthe Cellabration
Tigers Jaw, Basement
Citizen
Swingin’ Utters
Big D & The Kids Table
Diarrhea Planet
Pouya
Touché Amoré
Hippo Campus
Balance & Composure
People Under the Stairs
White Lung
Denzel Curry
Jessica Hernandez & The Deltas
Turnover
Violent Soho
Dee-1
Bleached
Brick + Mortar
Night Riots
Plague Vendor
Off With Their Heads
Holy White Hounds
Laura Stevenson
Somos, Tancred
Microwave
Deal’s Gone Bad
Death Spells
3Teeth
Black Foxxes
The Wans
Creeper
The Walters
Jule Vera
Marina City
Worriers
Nots
Big Ups
All Dogs
The Dirty Nil
Eskimeaux
War On Women
Hard Girls
A Will Away
Can’t Swim
With Our Arms To The Sun
Donna Missal
Bad Cop / Bad Cop
Tasha the Amazon
Blackbox
High Waisted
Partner
Sleepy Kitty
School of Rock