MCR is definitely Saturday. No way they put the biggest act on the lineup on any other day. The Sunday headliner is always a question mark for me at festivals because some artists don't want to play then because the crowd sometimes thins out.
On its face, I could see the Smashing Pumpkins on Friday. That's the usual slot for "that 90s band" on the bill. But the Pumpkins are a significantly less popular band compared to Blink-182, Weezer, Nine Inch Nails, Beck, etc. So a Sunday slot might make more sense.
The Pumpkins played the big 30,000+ amphitheater here last year and before that played two nights at the United Center (which equals about 40,000). I don’t know how well each show sold as I wasn’t at either, but I think them being a hometown band gives them some sort of boost. Although I do agree they are less popular than previous bands such as the ones you mentioned, but since it’s Chicago, that may help them.
I believe this was brought up a while back but I could see Bright Eyes being a headliner. No Chicago date on their tour and wouldn’t get headliner status at Lolla, but could probably get that at Riot.
Yeah you gotta note that it IS a hometown show for SP, so there will no doubt be a big draw for them. Bright Eyes strike me as a 2nd list band. Like Death Cab’s spot in 2016
I'm excited to see the Smashing Pumpkins. I don't know their music very well, and I don't think I would go to a headliner, so this works out nicely for me.
Woah. Okay, then. I stand corrected. Here, they play our hockey arena and don't sell it out. Shit. I could see either, depending on what they are all up to at the time. I feel like the Strokes would be a very solid Sunday evening headliner. ...I would probably leave a few songs into their set to go to an after show or whatever, but yeah. It would make sense.
if I remember correctly, The Cure were the biggest band on the line-up a few years back, and I’m pretty sure they closed the festival. Didn’t The Misfits & Jawbreaker also close out the years they headlined. Arguably the biggest draw of both festivals due to the hype surrounding those reunions.. it’s always difficult to second guess what Riot Fest will do with the schedule. The only thing that’s certain is that there will be a number of tough clashes throughout the weekend!
Oh yeah that’s a good point about the reunions. Misfits, Jawbreaker, and Bikini Kill all closed out Sunday I wonder if Riot will get someone like The Strokes or No Doubt as the third headliner, or if maybe they have another reunion up their sleeve?
THE FUCK I WOULD But... didn’t they say Primavera sound would be their only reunion show? Could be wrong I’d even be okay with just a Jicks set too
They were Primavera exclusive for 2020 and I bet they still are for 2021, so maybe for 2022 we can have them at Riot
Pavement would be nice and all but after all this shit... if we make it to 2022, there better be an Operation Ivy reunion
So I just realized Living Colour is playing... Is CM punk still banned from riot fest? Would be kind of awkward playing Cult of Personality in Chicago without him around.
A lot can change between now and September 2021. They may not even know who the additional headliner is just yet. I could see it being anyone from an active-but-rarely-does-stuff act like No Doubt or the Strokes to another wild reunion.
I doubt it’ll happen, but it’s be dope if Failure’s three-night run in Chicago doesn’t end up being rescheduled and Riot gets them for a Fantastic Planet album play