I’ve seen them quite a few times and am still excited to see them play at Riot Fest again. I wish I could say that about all of the other bands that I’ve seen. I think they put on a great live show.
I watched Anti-Flag at Riot 2019 because I had nothing to do and was pleasantly surprised. After passing on a few opportunities to see them prior, I had a nice time.
Also, New Found Glory and Simple Plan have both 9/18 and 9/19 marked as Riot Fest, so potential after show? That has Concord written all over it.
NFG’s Insta teased in the comments section of their tour post that they’d be adding a club show in Chicago. So I think you’d be correct!
They also said “We are gonna do two shows before it on our way out to Chicago to shake off the rust,” so we should have a good idea if they're in play for Thursday
What if Thursday is just a ton of the bands doing a couple songs for sound check to knock off the cobwebs. And just to be clear before Reddit runs with that idea, I am completely kidding.
even better: They pull off a reunion for a band that’s been broken up for a decade or two and Riot Fest is literally the first time they played together in years. Like, no rehearsal, no meeting. Nothing. Riot Fest is the first time they’ve been around/played together in that amount of time
No offense to anyone who is a fan, but I’m hoping the Thursday headliner isn’t Rise Against. Nice band, although I don’t listen to them really, but I’m hoping for a band a level or two higher. Rise Against is a band that will always play Chicago, so it would be nice to get a more exclusive band or one who frequents this city less.
I’m ok if it’s not Rise Against, but Rise is one of those “bands that I’ve dug for quite a few years and haven’t had the chance to see live, but at the same time, wouldn’t be willing to commit to pay for a headlining show” bands. If that makes any sense at all... So, if they play, neat! If not, that’s ok!
The Killing Tree! Let’s go! Or Tuesday! Some of the other slapstick family tree bands have reunited for Riot Fest, so why not them!
I would take Alkaline Trio playing From Here it Infirmary or Rise Against playing any of their earlier albums, thank you very much! Ok, this might be the booze talking, but how about this for a Thursday lineup: Rise Against playing The Unraveling and The Sufferer and the Witness for their anniversaries, Alkaline Trio playing From Here to Infirmary, The Lawrence Arms, The Killing Tree, Tuesday, Slapstick, and The Falcon.
Alkaline Trio would be okay, even though I'm also not a fan of them (Matt's actions aside, never got into their music much). This maybe wouldn't excite people a ton (edit: I would definitely be there though) but when Bright Eyes announced their reunion tour pre-COVID they had no Chicago date so I assumed Lolla, Pitchfork, or Riot scooped them up. The first two did not but it isn't out of the realm of possibility for them to be the Thursday headliner. They're not a massive band so it won't cost a ton of money but they're big enough where they could headline a pre-show day especially since it's a reunion for them like MCR.
What are the odds that the Riot Fest holy trinity of TBS, Andrew WK, and Gwar are all on Thursday? Maybe throw the Aquabats on there too
I’d be ok with this Honesty, whoever plays the Thursday pre-party, I won’t have to worry about potential conflict/seeing them during Riot
That's why I'm thinking it could be them. Conor has played the festival before. A band similar to them (Death Cab for Cutie) has headlined (at least they were top 3 their day) so there's precedent in booking bands like that (cult/beloved indie bands from the 2000s). I'm just saying I would not be surprised if they end up being that Thursday headliner.
Andrew WK is playing in Minneapolis on the 17th, so I don't imagine they'd go Chicago>Minneapolis>Chicago>Pittsburgh in 4 days, but then again, he does like to party...
I honestly don't see Riot booking a band like Bright Eyes for an event that's billed as a "party," that's effectively free, when they could have booked them for the festival. Bright Eyes costs big money and there's no guarantee that most people would be into it. It would be a very odd booking. I could definitely be into it, but I don't see it happening. Like, why book a major reunion draw like that and put them on the "free" party? It would be a weird move. I really think there's a better chance that we get Rise Against, the Offspring, or even just Taking Back Sunday. Something more "basic" and less niche in the grand scheme of things.