Read ALARM’s exclusive interview with Riot Fest founder Michael Petryshyn about the festival’s fifth year anniversary, band reunions and some changes happening this year.
The fifth year anniversary of Riot Fest has arrived. Quickly becoming one of Chicago’s best known music festivals as a multi-date, multi-band and multi-venue event, founder Michael Petryshyn, took on no small feat.
Featuring a diverse lineup of old bands and new bands as well as style ranging from old school hardcore to dirty street punk, the festival has something for everyone, bringing in over 25,000 fans so far.
“I first started doing Riot Fest, literally, in a basement, and in no one way did I ever imagine we’d be in year five, let alone have a dozen or more shows happening in Chicago’s coolest venues,” Petryshyn said. These venues include Congress Theatre, Metro, Cobra Lounge, Subterranean, Beat Kitchen and Liars Club. Not too bad.
One staple of Riot Fest has become reuniting instrumental punk and underground bands every year like Naked Raygun, ALL and Sludgeworth. Petryshyn even admits, “I’d be fibbing if I told you that we don’t have a wish list of reunions for Riot Fest.”
This year is no different with October 11 hosting a reunited Screeching Weasel. Other highlights include The Murder City Devils along with NOFX, Alkaline Trio, Naked Raygun, Cock Sparrer and Butthole Surfers. From those names alone it’s clear there is no limit to Riot Fest sound.
This celebration of punk doesn’t only showcase music though; there is a clear camaraderie between bands and fans. Plus, this year there will be two screenings of the Mark Stern documentary “Let Them Know: The Story of Youth Brigade and BYO Records,” at the Viaduct Theatre, a film showcasing the last 25 years of the L.A. punk band, Youth Brigade and BYO records.
“We want to provide more than just music, and this year is the first step towards making that expansion,” Petryshyn said.
Also expanding the realm of Riot Fest is the October 9 and 10 bowling tournament at Fireside Bowl, where bands and fans alike can hang out and hit the lanes, after-parties at the Cobra Lounge (shuttle service available from the Congress Theater) and of course, special guests.
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-Shelby Blitz