Riot Fest could 100% ignore their own radius clauses. That said... Here's the reality: Finch is a "part-time" band that is probably going to earn way more doing this headlining show on their own than they would with an early day slot at Riot Fest. It's possible that they play, but I really don't think it's happening. Especially if they're saying that's all for the year. Bands operating the way that they do probably need to contend with other employment commitments, limited amounts of vacation time, etc.
That Chicago show could be a WIITB album-play, and then they could do a regular set at Riot later in the year
I would honestly expect pretty minimal crossover. Most of these bands aren't big enough that they'd fly out to Chicago for a single show... And that's a long-ass drive otherwise. What is the demand like for Tokyo Ska Paradise, though, outside of a ska-centric festival? I could see them doing it as they're flying in for that show, anyway, maybe. Hah.
I went to Supernova in 2021 (small but amazing festival) Supernova and Riot were the same weekend in 2021.. only crossover was Hepcat (and Hepcat drove over night from Chicago to Ft Monroe/Hamption and arrived like 2 hours before their performance)
Had a thought today. If they can’t find a suitable replacement for this year, is there any chance they buy themselves time by returning to Douglass but promoting it from the start as “the Final Riot Fest Ever at Douglas Park”? I’m wondering if the community will be as opposed to it next year if there’s at least an end in sight. It still doesn’t solve anything for 2024, but at least it would get them one year closer to Soldier Field being available
If they can't find a new location and it's still at Douglas (even if it is planned to be the last year) I don't see them hyping it up in that way. That would just encourage people to say: "Why wait a year? Just leave now."
Bully probably wouldn't be on again after playing last year. I could see the Pixies or Franz Ferdinand, though I don't necessarily think it has anything to do with this tour routing or that we'd be guaranteed to get both. For all we know, the next run of Pixies dates later in the year may have a completely different opener. The way some of these bands are touring is so different than the way it used to be done. Different legs, different openers, long gaps between dates, etc. Kinda makes it hard to predict things based on tour routings unless that tour runs through September.
BMTH is on the FOB tour through all of Lolla so they're more so in play for Riot although I feel like they just won't be on it
It's June. I don't think this rules any of them out of Riot Fest. They would be prime second wave. Remember, the Chicago warped date would bounce between June and July depending on the year.