Riot Fest 2018 - September 14-16 - Douglas Park, Chicago Tour • Page 111

I think I commented on this previously, but if not, I definitely thought it... They've posted about vendor booths a few times over the last month or so. Which just felt very strange, and I don't think they've ever done this before.

This makes a lot of sense.

 

i got a brand new red fitted Yankees cap ready for this!

 

I painted my entire body black and stocked up on all-black contact lenses for nothing!

 

The Exploited have officially canceled.

 

What was their reasoning? Visa issues? I remember their situation being iffy before

 

The Exploited
18 hrs ·
Unfortunately Wattie has been having more issues with his heart and faces further surgery, doctors have advised that he can not perform any upcoming gigs. Therefore all upcoming gigs have been cancelled, . We are trying to reschedule for next year sometime. We're really sorry and gutted about having to cancel these shows and we know some people are going to be put out by this and all we can do again is apologize.
Thanks
The Exploited

 

Oh no! I hope he has a speedy, successful recovery

 

Yeah, I remember you pointing out that they were asking for vendor applications online. That does seem odd and different from previous years.

 

The deadline was also August 13th, which feels weirdly close to the festival.

 

Checking out a Reddit thread about the TwitterGuy deleting a bunch of shit that went down on Reddit where they got all antagonistic (screen cap)...

"Acting like it's a big conspiracy. Y'all are going to whine either way."

I mean, he's right... But oof. That's a bad look.

 

Really starting to believe they're going to announce Smashing Pumpkins as the headliner after their two Chicago shows next week.

 

If you want more proof their are issues with vendors:
https://www.starevents.com/riot-fest-vendor-signup/

According to this, vendor signup deadline was July 20th.
2 days ago they posted for vendor signups and the deadline had been moved to August 13th.

 

I would be fine with that

 

That would be a lukewarm addition for me, and after two Chicago shows... Wouldn't be a major draw. That would be a really stupid booking on the festival's part.

That being said? I'd stick around and watch, I guess. I've never seen them.

To me, this is the first concrete evidence that there's actually issues behind the scenes, pulling in funds/sponsors, etc.

 

Smashing Pumpkins actually makes a lot of sense.

Their current North American tour ends 5 days before Riot Fest, and their Chicago shows next week would explain the delayed second wave.

 

idk Smashing Pumpkins wouldn't make sense they're already playing 2 nights at United Center. I'm sure the 2 die hards are already going to both (i.e. the people you are banking on buying a ticket for a festival in a months notice) and they're probably not going to care that much to see them play a shorter set at Riot Fest only a month after the United Center shows. On top of that the 2nd show still has a very sizable amount of tickets left - I think they've kind of depleted their demand in the area for a while. I think they make a lot of sense to headline in 2019, but I can't see it happening this year.

 

The Internet is going to hate that so much if that's what it winds up being.

That would be like Boston Calling delaying the addition of the Dropkick Murphys as a headliner after they play like, 12 different shows over St. Patrick's Day weekend. Underwhelming. Haha.

 

I’m no expert on booking and whatnot, but what if Smashing Pumpkins was supposed to be a big reunion headliner (like Misfits and Jawbreaker) but then SP got ahead of themselves and booked their full reunion tour afterwards? Possibly screwing over Riot Fest? Maybe SP was supposed to be first wave

 

I would imagine there's some sort of thing in their contract that would have prevented that... Unless Smashing Pumpkins were a "done deal" with the exception of a signature, the band booked the tour (deciding to "double-dip" with Chicago), and then Riot Fest was left high and dry (assuming they would have had them as a lock).

That'd be a bullshit move. And highly unlikely... But... Bill Corgan's an asshole. So...

 

When the Pumpkins tour came to Michigan on Sunday, everyone I talked to had nothing but great things to say about both the show and the setlist, so I'd very much welcome it.

 

Pumpkins probably had the tour booked with an option for the second night in Chicago. Maybe Riot fest banked on them not doing both nights or didn't even care. If anything, they really overplayed their hand with Blink and Jerry Lee Lewis.

 

what do you mean by this part? i know blink could be on the fence cuz of travis' health and JLL is a creeep/murderer and him being booked gives some of us the willies, but not sure how they are related?

 

Just popularity/demand. Blink just closed out Lolla last year, with no new music in between. JLL is a novel name, but he's out playing casinos you know? If you're counting on the headliners to draw in a casual audience those two seem like odd choices.

 

If anything, I think what this all is hurting is the potential for out-of-towners to come to the fest. I bet they've effectively lost the vast majority of people who would have traveled from OOT for it. Even if they had some crazy headliner up their sleeve, people need time to take time off work, book travel, etc.

 

THIS. I'm from another country and I have to plan way ahead to travel for a festival, so having the lineup out as soon as possible weighs a lot in the decision.