Entering its second year in Douglas Park, Riot Fest looks a bit different than it has in its previous incarnations. The carnival midway has been all but eliminated, leaving just a single Ferris wheel on the outskirts of the grounds. Stages have been rearranged so there’s more room for crowds to gather (though the majority of the food vendors have been moved to a single location that is only accessible by walking through one of the aforementioned crowds.) It’s a leaner and meaner iteration of the annual punk rock celebration, packed with just as much great music as in previous years.
RECOMMENDED: Our complete guide to Riot Fest
After a rousing early afternoon dance party led by electronic tinkerer Dan Deacon and GWAR’s annual onstage bloodbath, the remainder of Friday’s lineup took a nostalgic turn, from Julian Marley playing his father’s classic reggae album Exodus to Jimmy Eat World trotting out a succession of classic pop-punk anthems. After an extended set from eclectic alt-rockers Ween, the Flaming Lips returned to Riot Fest to close out the night with its familiar array of psychedelic lights, inflatable props and buckets of confetti.
Check out our favorite photos from Friday at Riot Fest 2016, including some of the best sets and plenty of faces in the crowd.
Want more? Sign up here to stay in the know.
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: David Alekhuogie
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: David Alekhuogie
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: David Alekhuogie
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: David Alekhuogie
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: David Alekhuogie
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: David Alekhuogie
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan
Photograph: Neal O'Bryan