Bike bonanza: The best of Mods vs. Rockers 2013 in photos

The 9th annual Mods vs. Rockers Vintage Motorcycle & Scooter Rally took place in Chicago this June, moving to the historic Aragon Ballroom to accommodate its growing popularity. Courtesy of Good Spark Garage, here’s an extensive photo recap of the festivities.

Riot Fest: GWAR

The best of Riot Fest Chicago 2012 (in photos)

On the final weekend of the summer, Chicago’s Humboldt Park hosted the city’s eighth annual Riot Fest, the punk-, rock-, and hardcore-filled festival that has since branched to Brooklyn, Toronto, and Dallas. This year’s installment was special for more than its consolidated location in the park; it also boasted a brand-new carnival — featuring a Ferris wheel, funnel cake, and impossible-to-win prize games — to enjoy between sets.

Riot Fest and Carnival Chicago 2012

ALARM’s must-see sets for Riot Fest Chicago 2012

For its eighth installment, Chicago’s punk- and hardcore-centered Riot Fest decided to go big, adding stops in Brooklyn, Toronto, and Dallas and expanding its Windy City weekend to include an outdoor carnival. Though tickets are almost gone, you still can grab two-day passes for Saturday and Sunday in Humboldt Park or buy single-day tickets for those two dates.

Here are our picks for the weekend. Rain isn’t in the forecast, but bring your poncho for GWAR either way.

What We’re Doing This Weekend

Shining (Norway)

CMJ in New York, Voodoo Experience in New Orleans, four great nights at Chicago’s Hideout, — this weekend is packed. Shudder to Think, Shining, Coliseum, Fucked Up, The Eternals, sBACH, Deacon John, and Pillars and Tongues are all among our recommendations to catch live.