If you felt that Lollapalooza's lineup was exceedingly light on old fashioned rock 'n roll and you're not willing to make the journey to Toyota Park for Chicago Open Air, you're probably going to love this year's Riot Fest lineup. Returning to Douglas Park from September 15–17, Riot Fest has announced its first wave of confirmed acts and the headliners alone should leave you counting down the days until the tail end of the summer music festival season.
RECOMMENDED: Photos and reviews from Riot Fest music festival
Topping the bill at the 2017 edition of Riot Fest are industrial rock titans Nine Inch Nails (Friday), reinvigorated hard rock outfit Queens of the Stone Age (Saturday) and newly-reunited punk rockers Jawbreaker (Saturday). The big names don't stop there—English post-punk act New Order, pop-punk trio Paramore, rap-rock supergroup Prophets of Rage, politically-charger rapper M.I.A. and some configuration of hip-hop legends Wu-Tang Clan round out the top tier of performers.
The rest of the bill is just as varied as usual, with hip-hop artists (Vic Mensa, Action Bronson, Shabazz Palaces), indie rock bands (TV on the Radio, Dinosaur Jr., Liars) and punk rock acts (Death from Above 1979, Dead Cross, Beach Slang) represented.
Of course, it wouldn't be Riot Fest without some familiar faces on the bill, including perennial favorites GWAR and Andrew W.K. Other returning festival veterans include Gogol Bordello, Taking Back Sunday, New Found Glory, the Lawrence Arms, Pennywise, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones and the Menzingers.
Plus, there's even more to look forward to in the coming weeks. On Thursday, April 20, Riot Fest will reveal which acts will be performing classic albums during the festival and in May more than 25 additional acts will be announced. Organizers have also confirmed that carnival rides and games (which were mostly absent from the last year's fest) are set to return to Douglas Park, alongside an expanded version of the Hellzapoppin’ Circus Sideshow.
Take a break from head banging in approval, check out the first wave of Riot Fest's 2017 lineup below and don't forget to purchase tickets when they go on sale today at noon.
Riot Fest 2017 lineup:
Nine Inch Nails (Friday), Queens of the Stone Age (Saturday), Jawbreaker (Sunday), New Order, Paramore, Prophets of Rage, M.I.A., Wu-Tang Clan, Mike D (DJ set), A Day To Remember, Gogol Bordello, Taking Back Sunday, Vic Mensa, Dirty Heads, TV on the Radio, Ministry, Dinosaur Jr., New Found Glory, Death From Above 1979, Bad Brains, FIDLAR, Action Bronson, Pennywise, Built to Spill, X, Peaches, The Lawrence Arms, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, The Orwells, Bayside, Say Anything, Mayday Parade, Streetlight Manifesto, Dead Cross, Minus the Bear, The Menzingers, Liars, GWAR, Buzzcocks, GBH, Real Friends, Hot Water Music, Shabazz Palaces, Andrew W.K., Fishbone, The Story So Far, State Champs, Four Year Strong, Beach Slang, The Cribs, that dog., Knuckle Puck, Chon, Slaves, The Hotelier, The Flatliners, Dessa, Saul Williams, Nothing More, Alice Bag, Tobacco, Sleep On It, Downtown Boys, Engine 88, The Smith Street Band, The Regrettes, HDBeenDope, Gazebos, Kitten Forever, Hellzapoppin’ Circus Sideshow Revue
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