Riot Fest wrapped up on Sunday, and even though a torrential downpour covered Chicago on Sunday morning, the festival grounds filled up once gates opened at Noon. The final day’s lineup was geared towards the metalheads, but a fair share of punk stalwarts and new faces helped make Sunday one of the most varied single-day lineups in recent memory.
Early in the day, bands had to battle through the rain. That didn’t stop viral sensation Saxquatch from bringing the party in the rain. DJing and adding his solos to the top of big beats made for a dance party in the rain, and a sizeable crowd was ready to move, given the circumstances.
The worlds of horror and metal would collide multiple times on Sunday, with Nekrogoblikon getting things going on the AAA stage. With blistering speed and plenty of technicality, the band are much more than a gimmick, but it did help that frontgoblin John Goblikon was there to hype up the crowd at each and every scream and breakdown. There would be much more on the way, though.
Over at NOFX World, the band’s curated lineup on the day of their last Chicago show and fourth-from-final show ever was full of the band’s friends, including Strung Out, who blitzed through a near non-stop set in the middle of the day. The band also got to witness a mud-fight first hand, as groundskeepers had more than enough assistance when backing up a truck of mulch to repair some rain damage.
The newer faces of Riot Fest 2024 are making plenty of impact, as well, including Magnolia Park, whose rap/rock hybrid got crowds moving as soon as the rain broke by the Radical Stage. At one point, the band asked for “even the dogs and grandmas” to get in the pit, and while neither were really present, plenty of other Chicagoans filled in for them.
Back at NOFX World, punk legends The Vandals took over a mid-day slot, with the same snot-nosed edge and care-free attitude that they’ve made their calling card for decades. Hits like “My Girlfriend’s Dead” and “Oi To The World!” we’re sprinkled throughout their set, sending plenty of fans crowd surfing in the process.
Just as The Vandals were winding down, gods of theatrical metal GWAR were warming up on the AAA Stage. A huge crowd gathered to watch them scream, stab, and mutilate their way through an hour-long show. Plenty of blood was spilled, as per usual.
As the day started to wear on, a reunited Something Corporate returned to Chicago for a set full of some of their biggest hits. Perhaps the biggest moment of the show happened offstage, though, as a couple celebrated a Riot Fest wedding in the crowd. Of course, the ceremony wouldn’t be complete without the bride and groom crowd surfing their way to the barricade, in full wedding attire.
No matter where you turned to end the night, something big was happening. The main stages hosted metal gods Lamb of God, Rob Zombie and Slayer, while NOFX World would also host the band’s final Chicago gig, as well as good friends Pennywise, and a special set from Laura Jane Grace and Catbite, ripping through covers of Operation Ivy for a one-night special.
On the metal side, there was no shortage of heaviness, with Lamb of God delivering a punishing set, aided by fire and pyro whenever they needed even an extra kick. Zombie would also bring a loud set that carried over into the NOFX World area, before Slayer brought as much fire to the Riot Fest stage as they could. If you’re a metalhead, it was a trio that was absolutely a can’t-miss.
On the punk side of things, however, it was time to say goodbye to NOFX after three nights of unique sets. Of course, Pennywise were the band to lead them in, and they gave everything that they had for an hour of straightforward skate punk.They also brought out Fat Mike for a cover of Bad Religion’s “Do What You Want” before filling the stage for “Bro Hymn” to close out their set.
Then it was a final Chicago curtain call for NOFX. Fat Mike admitted that Friday’s show went okay, Saturday’s was much better, and that he honestly had no idea what would happen on Sunday. The band were tight once again for their final set of the weekend and fourth final set of all time, cherrypicking songs from throughout their discography, including material from “So Long And Thanks For All The Shoes” that felt fitting given the circumstances.The final set also featured “Eat The Meek,” “Day To Daze,” and one of just two repeated songs of the weekend, “Linoleum.”
Of course, NOFX couldn’t leave Chicago without playing “The Decline” one last time, and it was a final farewell for the band, who are done touring after a trio of shows in October in California. Just as things were winding down on the 18-minute epic, the band were joined by Balsac the Jaws of Death from GWAR on guitar to finish things off. The cameo lightened the load of the moment, though there were definitely some visible tears on stage, and with good reason.
“Thank you so much. We won’t ever see you again,” said Fat Mike just after the song. The band stayed around to thank fans afterwards and greeted fans all over the stage as the night, and the festival, officially came to a close.
Riot Fest 2024 was a whirlwind three days in Chicago that never ceases to entertain, and this year felt like an especially big statement year for the festival. Stay tuned for more festival coverage, and we already cannot wait to see what’s in store for 2025.