damn, that confirms i do in fact have to drive to memphis to see them, cuz when they are in STL, i already have tickets to see Anthony Jeselnik. also last night i saw static-x, fear factory, and Dope... and i firmly believe static -x would crush at riot at some point, their live show is so good right now, and i think they fall on the non-corny side of the nu-metal divide.
Couple things after I gave myself a hiatus.. I wonder if festivals like Taste of Randolph, Taste of Chicago, Wicker and Pride actually eliminate bands from playing Riot since they are technically free (I was thinking bands don't play both based more on itinerary than anything, well other than Local H.. ) I remember Limp Bizkit played a free show like a month or so after Lolla in Gary riotfest.org article from yesterday.. Riot Fest Community Spotlight: Mi Corazòn Cafe "Our Community Spotlights feature the wonderful food, nightlife, and local businesses found within Douglass Park, home to Riot Fest." and finally, Reggie's recently posted a pro shot video of Thursday's Riot Fest aftershow from last year.. they may add the Anberlin & Fear aftershows, but I have no idea (I stumbled upon this by accident lol)
Sad that Riot is unable to bring in legendary pop-punk icons like Avril Lavigne and 5 Seconds of Summer. They really don't know their roots.
Remember that brief period in 2014 when people said pop-punk was going to enter the mainstream again because 5SOS blew up? Why 5 Seconds Of Summer are more important to pop-punk than you think
they said the same very recently with mgk, pinkshift, meet me at the altar, etc. they tried to call olivia rodrigo pop punk A Brief History Of 21st Century Pop-Punk, From MySpace To Tumblr To TikTok
What I find interesting is everybody's obsession with "pop-punk" becoming huge again in monolithic, monoculture traditional mainstream way. To the point where they stretch the definition to encompass things that might give it a passing shot (e.g., Olivia Rodrigo). The only reason it felt as huge as it did when it was all happening was rock radio being a very strong force, MTV driving youth culture, and Warped Tour positioning itself perfectly between those mainstream forces and the "underground." But here's the thing. Bands are still seeing a pretty similar level of success as always... it's just scaled down a bit. Neck Deep, State Champs, Story So Far, and the like are all about as big as New Found Glory was before radio and MTV picked them up. Arguably a bit bigger. But instead of radio play it's playlist placement, and instead of MTV its social media hype. And there's no majors to sign to. Which, in a way, makes it cooler and even more impressive to me. So why people are so enthusiastic about wanting it to become a part of the monoculture thing again... Is beyond me. Maybe it's because I just finished reading "Sellout" for the second time in a row but I kinda think it's really rad that a band like Drug Church (who, all things being equal, if this were 1996 -- they would have major labels begging to sign them) is doing something in a way that is relatively accessible and poppy but very much on their own terms.
I mean, I say it in a fascetious and loving way but... Basement, Drug Church, Fiddlehead, Webbed Wing, Angel Du$t and so many of these "hardcore" adjacent bands that are kinda popping off could literally have been on the radio in 1996 with the same songs they have on their records today. But the outlet just doesn't really exist anymore. To my ears it all sounds mainstream AF (and again, in a positive way). And the reality with all of these blips of mainstream success? 1-2 bands get bumped up to hockey arenas while the rest get regelated to HOB level venues or smaller for the rest of their careers. It's so cool that this crop of bands has been able to do it organically. Now. Let's get a PUP/Menzingers/Joyce Manor triple co-headliner tour in place and get some of these bands the venue and festival time slot bumps they deserve. I am very passionate about this.
Honestly, I could see this being a tour and hitting big venues. That Pup/JM was pretty successful. If you did a Hella Mega-type tour with those three bands, and two openers like some of the bands you mentioned in that post, that could probably fill up some big auditoriums. I think all three of those bands are at their peak right now
It looks pretty good, Fri and Sat are stacked for me... But I have to ask, are Icona Pop still a thing?
I checked and yes, apparently they are. Seem like they’re pretty cheap too. Thought about putting them on the Paramore stage but then that filled up and I thought “fuck it, there’s always some weird left field act in the middle of the day.” That’s them. The spacing doesn’t do it justice but I have them and The Postal Service technically co-headlining that day (on the assumption that that’s their only 10 year album play for Sempiternal) . I figured after nabbing Green Day there’d have to be one day without a massive clear headliner.
Lots of cool options playing the week before RF in the midwest. Gives us a good idea of who will be active and show up the following week. TSL, Relient K, proper, Saosin, Emery even HH themselves would be cool gets imho.
The Forecast, Spitalfield, Proper, and Relient K are my requests from the Iowa and TN fests. And The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus so I can mosh to the bridge of "Face Down" and make my 13 year old self proud
Not bad, but Screaching Weasel's gotta go. I don't see them ever being booked for RF after Ben assaulted multiple women while on stage at SXSW.