RIOT FEST KICKS OFF DAY ONE WITH PERFORMANCES BY BLINK-182 AND KNOCKED LOOSE
Photo by Jason Pendleton
Chicago staple Riot Fest returned for an ambitious 2025 festival run from September 19-21, 2025, in Douglass Park. The festival is known for its chaotic humor, friendly crowds, and varied music. Notably, Riot Fest prioritizes rock music — arguably more than any of the other major US festivals. This makes sense for Chicago; its rich history welcomes a myriad of rock greats, many of whom have headlined the festival in previous years. This time, the festival promised magic at every corner, from wrestling to delicious hot dogs to absolute clownery. There was truly something for everybody, regardless of why people initially chose to attend. Plus, the eclectic lineup allowed for ample music discovery. Who knows — someone who came to Douglass Park to see Knocked Loose might have left Mac Sabbath’s biggest fan. Stranger things have happened!
Photo by Anthony Linh
GSM kicked off the day at the Mac Sabbath set. The tricksters had plenty up their sleeves; this was a tremendously sad year for Mac Sabbath, as their muse, legend Ozzy Osbourne, tragically passed. However, their spirits were anything but down. Instead, they used the momentum from their audience to honor their beloved, late hero. From start to finish, Mac Sabbath wowed their noon crowd of thousands with both humor and musical prowess. It’s an incredible feat to not only commit so heavily to a bit but sound wonderful while doing it. They expertly weaved between parody and performance, cultivating an absolutely unforgettable live show. Antics abound; the group cured any quarter-pounder cravings. Most notably, Mac Sabbath paid tribute to Ozzy with a more traditional cover of “Paranoid.” They never missed a note or a beat, ending the set with a good, old-fashioned crowd surf moment.
Photo by Jason Pendleton
Next up, Mariana’s Trench threw it back to the 2010s. Their charismatic presence perfectly matches their upbeat, infectious hooks. Songs like “Stutter” have remained stuck in my head for over a decade. This band is one I’ve loved since high school, but their tours always hit my area at a bad time. Not this time, though; each second was a treat. They covered a solid range of songs, from their biggest hits to please a festival crowd, to a few deeper cuts that I was unfamiliar with. Between Mariana’s Trench and Mac Sabbath, I had ample energy to get by the first day. All I was missing was a slice of deep dish in hand, but I could get that sorted later. For now, it was me and the music; each note was invigorating, especially as I looked out into Mariana’s Trench’s enthusiastic crowd of fans. I saw myself in each of them and our shared love of live music.
Photo by Timothy Hiatt
Later in the evening, I caught a bit of Julia Wolf’s set. Naturally, I discovered her music on TikTok like everyone else. However, I was impressed by her big hit. Her live vocals are phenomenal; she sounds exactly like her studio recording. Moreover, I was surprised to find that Wolf’s music was not written in the 2000s. I had truly been gaslit in the best way possible by her social media marketing team. They had thoroughly convinced me that “Room” was a deep cut from the Twilight soundtrack that I forgot about. This is an impressive feat; I scratched the hell out of my Twilight CD until it is now unplayable. Of course, that only speaks to Wolf’s artistry. Her seamless blend into a specific subgenre of alternative music is commendable.
Photo by Timothy Hiatt
Knocked Loose was a highly anticipated set for me. I’ve been a fan of theirs for years, but never got to see them play until Riot Fest. Shockingly, I spent much of their set towards the back of the audience, which is untraditional for most Knocked Loose fans. Typically, more fun is had at the mosh pit’s epicenter. However, my feet were telling me it was time to enjoy the set from the grass with an ice cream sandwich in my hands. While I didn’t grab an authentic slice of deep dish, the Riot Fest-branded chips of the same flavor were close enough. Settling down for a moment allowed me to appreciate Knocked Loose as musicians. Their heavier sound negates some of their technical prowess, though there is plenty of it. Of course, their social commentary stood out, but so did their musicianship. The incredible guitars and drums you hear in the studio translate perfectly into a live set, a feat that is difficult to achieve. And, naturally, it was incredibly satisfying to “arf arf” IRL mid-bite.
Photo by Jason Pendleton
Finally, Blink-182 closed out the high-energy evening, bringing a bit of home back to the Midwest. I feel I understand Blink on a spiritual level, having lived in San Diego for a bulk of my teens. The group has been on my bucket list forever, an emo girl essential. However, their live show exceeded my expectations tenfold. It’s always awe-inspiring when a group has enough hits to fill out an entire festival set. There was not a single song I didn’t know from start to finish. Obviously, the seasoned pros didn’t miss a beat — but their stage banter is arguably the best part of their show. Blink-182 is known not only for their ridiculously memorable hooks and relatable lyrics, but also for their unabashed sense of humor. Their X-rated jokes make each gap between songs feel seamless. This headliner was a fantastic way to end day one of Riot Fest, on an incredibly high note, full of buzzing energy and eager for more.