DOUGLASS PARK — Riot Fest dropped its lineup today with headliners Tool, Twenty One Pilots, Pierce The Veil, Alanis Morrisette, Morrissey, Iggy Pop and more.
As always, Riot appears to be playing to the Gen X and millennial nostalgia crowd with acts like Elvis Costello & The Imposters, Pixies, Patti Smith & Her Band, Rise Against, The All-American Rejects, Sugar, Social Distortion, Descendents, Bad Religion, Sex Pistols, Public Image LTD, Less Than Jake, Bowling For Soup and Insane Clown Posse.
This will be the first Riot Fest appearance for Tool and Twenty One Pilots, after previous Lollapalooza performances.
Costello and Smith are practically Riot staples at this point, while Iggy Pop’s last appearance was in 2015 and Morrisey’s in 2021.
Morrisette will be making her Riot Fest debut; she headlined Chicago’s final edition of the Pitchfork festival in 2024.
The 2026 Riot Fest lineup. Credit: Provided/Riot Fest
Insane Clown Posse last appeared on the Rebel Stage in 2023, blasting the crowd with Faygo soda.
Having both the Sex Pistols and Public Image LTD in the lineup suggests that original Pistol and current PIL member Johnny Lydon could join his original outfit onstage, although the Pistols’ regular vocalist Frank Carter is listed on the official Riot Fest poster.
Bands returning this year from 2025 include “shock rock” band GWAR, known for splattering Riot crowds with fake bodily fluids, and locals Alkaline Trio. Twin Peaks will also be representing Chicago, just coming off an eight-night sold-out run at Thalia Hall.
Continuing the Riot Fest tradition of special guest appearances, legendary WGN meteorologist Tom Skilling will be on-site this year to deliver the forecast in person. The Chicago icon offered a remote weather cameo in 2025, the same year Riot Fest faux nemesis John Stamos appeared with the Beach Boys. Skilling retired from WGN in 2023 and now splits his time between Chicago and Hawaii.
GWAR, known for their outrageous costumes and theatrical often ‘bloody’ performances, takes the stage during the second day of Riot Fest in Douglass Park on Sept. 20, 2025. Credit: Jesus J. Montero for Block Club Chicago
Chicago’s own punk rock band Alkaline Trio performs on the Riot Stage during Riot Fest in Douglass Park on Sept. 19, 2025. Credit: Jesus J. Montero for Block Club Chicago
Additional acts on this year’s lineup include Motion City Soundtrack, Mom Jeans, Joey Valence & Brae, Bayside, PUP, 3OH!3, Cartel, Thrice, The Suicide Machines, Brian Fallon & The Painkillers, Mariachi El Bronx, Bratmobile, Pretty Girls Make Graves, Good Riddance, Guttermouth, This Is Loreli, Slick Rick, Afroman, The Chats, Fleshwater, Yard Act, Sincere Engineer, The Paradox, Destroy Boys, Arm’s Length, Jejune, Chat Pile, Strike Anywhere, JMSN, Show Me The Body, Haywire, Dead To Me, The Flatliners, Violet Grohl, Foxy Shazam and more.
They’ll all perform over Riot weekend on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Check out the full lineup here.
The 21st edition of Riot Fest will return Sept. 18-20 to Douglass Park, 1401 S. Sacramento Drive.
For weeks, Riot Fest has been telling fans to buy their tickets before prices increased today — all while hinting a special announcement.
Fest organizers invited fans on social media to ask Riot Fest founder “Riot Mike” Petryshyn to release this year’s lineup — even offering up a chance to win three-day VIP passes if they send in a video.
Riot Fest three-day passses are now available at a variety of levels, starting at General Admission ($339.98) and going up to VIP ($449.98), Deluxe ($959.98) and Deluxe Plus ($1,699.98). The higher-priced levels offer perks like expedited entry, dedicated viewing areas, private lockers and air-conditioned bathrooms. There’s even a Backstage Pass level available upon inquiry, with golf-cart transportation and side-stage access for certain sets.
Payment plans are available, and groups of more than 10 people can possibly qualify for a discounted rate. Ticket info available here.
Attendees who want to avoid online ticket fees can purchase three-day GA passes for $310 in cash at Chicago’s three Reckless Records locations and Bucket O’ Blood Records.
