Top 10 acts at Riot Fest 2019

10

Taking Back Sunday

Taking Back Sunday have managed to stay relevant, but also keep their nostalgic albums from the early 2000s alive. Louder Now is a great album, but for us Tell All Your Friends is an unmatched classic. There was something about everyone singing along to the nostalgic albums that really encompassed everything that’s unique to Riot Fest. Even those running around to catch some of Jawbreaker’s set or grab another beer could be seen mouthing the lyrics to Taking Back Sunday songs as they played in the distance. If I were you reading this right now I’d put on Tell All Your Friends and remember that this was the band’s debut album that’s still holding up 17 years later—and trust us, even if you think you don’t know the words, you do.

9

Streetlight Manifesto

It’s no surprise that Streetlight Manifesto drew a large crowd with their genre-blending, brassy, upbeat, ska-punk style—they still remain unique and influential 17 years after forming. Tomas Kalnoky’s vocals have only sharpened from his early Catch 22 days and the band as a whole always knows how to put on a great show. Plus, they have a lot to work with having eight members in total and an entire brass section. And that’s the beauty of Streetlight, it’s difficult not to appreciate some aspect of their shows because there really is something for everyone. So pretend it’s the early 2000s, put on your black and white checkered belt you hid in your closet, and listen to the album Everything Goes Numb.

8

Jawbreaker

We’re not sure now anything could top Jawbreaker’s Riot Fest 2017 headliner performance, but that doesn’t mean they still didn’t kick ass this year on a smaller stage. The beauty of Jawbreaker is that their music speaks for itself and so you can’t really go wrong seeing them live because they perform the songs like they would have 25 years ago. We’ve seen them a handful of times since that initial 2017 performance and we’re not sick of them yet despite their sets being relatively similar. With a band that has so much history packed into their music it's hard to ever tire of hearing their songs. We recommend listening to the two albums the band pulls a lot of tracks from to play live: 24 Hour Revenge Therapy and Dear You—and no, we can’t come up with better recommendations than Jawbreaker.

7

Lucero

When we listen to Lucero we feel like we’re home. Not to say we’re from Memphis, but the band oozes this charming, hometown quality that we can all relate to. We love the beautiful simplicity of Lucero, but that’s not to say their music isn’t dynamic in range as well. They truly are one of a kind and seeing them live always feels intimate even at Riot Fest during the middle of the day. Ben Nichols is the driving force of the band because although their music is complex on its own, his vocals add raw grittiness that makes their music unforgettable. Grab yourself a few beers at your favorite local bar and listen to albums Tennessee and Rebels, Rogues & Sworn Brothers.

6

Teenage Bottlerocket

We will never get tired of seeing Teenage Bottlerocket play live—they’re loud, they’re fast, they’re punk rock. These guys are full of energy and the crowd reflects that same energy back; they always put on such a fun and frantic set that never disappoints. We love that they don’t take themselves too seriously and that they have such a unique style that although seems simple, is hard to replicate. The band has been through a lot in the past few years, but they have remained a staple in punk music. Hate ‘em or love ‘em, there’s really no inbetween, but they aren’t compromising their style for anyone. We recommend going on a drive down the coast or maybe just to your nearest Burger King and blasting albums They Came From The Shadows and Stealing the Covers.

5

Hot Water Music

It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years since Hot Water Music first formed. Despite the pauses between their time as a band, they’ve just released a new EP this year and sound better than ever. Hot Water Music isn’t just a punk band, they’re a staple in punk music and have helped define the genre of the early 90s. Frontman Chuck Ragan has been in numerous solo and side projects, but there’s a unhinged, raw quality to his voice when he sings in Hot Water Music that truly defines the band's sound. Plus, The Flatliner’s Chris Cresswell has been filling in on guitar and backing vocals making his welcoming presence a nice fit with the band's already developed style. Dust off your record player and turn up your speakers while listening to albums No Division, Caution, and their latest EP Shake Up The Shadows.

4

Descendents

Is Milo Auckerman the punk rock dad of our dreams? Yes, yes he is. And goddammit, he’s still the frontman of our dreams as well. There’s a nostalgic feeling when it comes to the Descendents, but that also stems from the fact that punk rock bands just don’t exist like them anymore. Despite numerous breaks between playing together, accumulated it’s been 40 years since they’ve formed which is a huge feat for a punk band. What amazes us on top of that is the band still gives every performance their all—at this point in their career you can see they’re dedicated 100% to their music and we can’t get enough of it. There’s really no recommended setting for Descendents listening—you could be at home, in a library, or at a bar—all you really need is to put on albums Milo Goes to College and Everything Sucks.

3

Patti Smith and Her Band

Much like everyone else at Riot Fest, we were left in awe of Patti Smith after her performance with her band. Patti Smith is not just an icon, but a pioneer in music. She paved the way for so many others and drew the massive crowd she deserved not just from the audience, but from other musicians as well. It’s truly a remarkable experience to see her live and one that we will never forget. Some people work extremely hard and they become great musicians while others just have a natural calling—Patti Smith has a genuine gift and we’re just grateful she’s still sharing it with us all. Find your favorite quiet spot and slip on your best noise-cancelling headphones while you listen to albums Easter and Wave.

2

Bikini Kill

What we’ve always loved about Bikini Kill is that they are unapologetically true to themselves, and since forming in 1990, nothing’s changed. They’re loud, they’re opinionated, they’re feminist—they’re the definition of punk. At one point during their set lead singer Kathleen Hanna addressed white males in the audience to recognize their privilege and let others move closer to the front for once. Girls to the front isn’t just a dated motto for the band, it’s something they still stand behind even during the last night of Riot Fest with a massive crowd. Did we see people roll their eyes and walk away from their set after? Of course. Did the band care? Hell no. This band of badasses had better things to do, you know, like put on the killer set of our dreams. Stand up for what you believe in and scream your lungs out to albums Pussy Whipped and Revolution Girl Style Now.

1

Against Me!

Throughout the last 18 years Against Me! have remained one of our favorite bands of all time. They aren’t afraid to reinvent themselves, to musically explore new things, and above all, they manage to remain that same band who released the album Reinventing Axl Rose in 2002. The album is now celebrated as a classic punk record and hearing the growth between it and the 2014 album Transgender Dysphoria Blues was a special experience. Against Me! had a two hour time slot at Riot Fest, and yes they conflicted with other great bands, but goddamn was it worth it. The band gives their all in every performance and despite such a large festival and crowd, their performance in Douglas Park was no different than seeing them in a tiny venue in your hometown. We’ve grown up with this band and they hands down played the hardest, longest, and most inspiring set during Riot Fest—not that we’re surprised, they’re one of our favorites for a reason. Needless to say, you can’t go wrong with any Against Me! record. Period.