Riot Fest Returns With Best Lineup Yet

By Sarah Cobarrubias in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 14, 2010 4:00PM

Since its weak start in 2005, Riot Fest has gained a more impressive lineup and greater following with each year. And now in its sixth year, the annual festival is DeRogatis-dubbed “Chicago’s multi-band, multi-date, multi-venue celebration of the punk underground past, present, and future, and one of the premier gatherings of its kind in the U.S..” Taking place Oct 6 through 10, the annual punk festival will feature 21 shows across five venues (Congress Theater, Metro, Double Door, Subterranean, House of Blues), as well as a handful of “secret shows” at Cobra Lounge and AAA.

This year’s fest includes notable acts such as Bad Religion, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Circle Jerks, Smoking Popes, Cap’n Jazz, and Less Than Jake. In an effort to broaden the lineup, fest organizers have incorporated more hardcore and metal acts, among them High on Fire and Corrosion of Conformity, who will reunite in their original three-piece form that delivered their 1985 release Animosity. The fest will feature a number of other rare reunion performances including Snapcase, Bhopal Stiffs, and Articles of Faith, who will play in their original form for the first time in 25 years.

With the fest less than a month away and early-bird 5-day passes all sold out, potential rioters will want to pick up tickets soon. 3-day passes are still available and will get you into all 16 Friday, Saturday, and Sunday shows. Check out the full schedule at Riot Fest’s site, where they’ll continue to announce additional acts and secret shows.

Look for our detailed preview along with interviews with some Riot Fest acts to appear in the next few weeks!