Reading all this about how bad yesterday was really sucks. I didn’t go last night but the last crowd I remember being this bad and the band having to stop was System of a Down in 2015. The crowds for blink and fall out boy in 2013 were also pretty bad.
I also think that all the original MCR shows sold out quickly and so everyone went the festival route. Then after needing to postpone a couple of times they started adding additional dates.
If that’s the case no wonder it felt like a madhouse. Daily attendance is usually like 45k according to the Reader article yesterday.
Someone in the riot fest group on Facebook that said they where working the fest and that’s what they where told. don’t know if it’s actually legit that’s why I added the apparently
But with how crazy it was and how long all the lines where I can believe it being that big. Usually they draw 45k a day. I’m sure they over sold yesterday just for mcr
I’ll be wearing this stupid fucking t shirt with lime green shorts & purple leggings if anyone sees me say hi! I met someone named Tom from this thread at Pvris,hey Tom!
I had a great time yesterday, ready for Day 2. Saw Pale Waves, LS Dunes, Anberlin, Sparta, Descendents, Wonder Years, Alkaline Trio and MCR. I had a great view of MCR from the back of the Roots side, but like everyone else...I have been to so many shows and RF since 2016 and NEVER experienced anything like that. Ready for a more calming day 2 and 3.
My group didn’t run into any issues yesterday unless you count the food line around 6:45pm, but from what I saw around me, I absolutely believe any claims of a shitty experience. For energy and money, we decided to not show up early today, prioritizing arriving in time for the acts starting at 3:00pm.
My group definitely needs a dependable place to walk immediately after Yellowcard/Misfits, because even walking north up Kedzie for 30-40 minutes did nothing for our Uber rate last night. how’s the festival’s neighborhood guide?
Im definitely going in for 4 and 5 today and tomorrow respectively; yesterday was fun but absolutely exhausted and wrecked me. Saw Sincere Engineer, LS Dunes, Boston Manor, Foxy Shazam, then sat down in the shade for Hot Mulligan and Jeff Rosenstock, then got back up for Descendents and The Wonder Years, then found a spot between stages for TBS, AK3, and MCR, before dipping early to catch the Maine aftershow (which finished around 1:30 am)
Yesterday was a weird crowd but of all the Chicago festivals I will say that Riot Fest is one of the least kid-friendly ones.
This only confirms to me that RF needs to be better about this and may have some questions to answer.
People would complain endlessly but they probably do need more aisles for security and/or better separation between the pit in front of the sound board area and behind. Coldplay had taped off aisles in GA at Soldier Field but obviously people aren’t moving to them like they are here.
My initial impression so far today is that it’s a bit less crowded. It’s started to fill up quite a bit though
Last night while I went to exit during MCR's encore I noticed a horde of people flocking to the VIP area and the guy there signaled that only people with wristbands can go through. What was up with that?