Top 25 Artists to See at Riot Fest Chicago in 2025
This weekend, Riot Fest is set to launch its three-day celebration at Douglass Park on Friday, September 19th, drawing in a crowd of over 130,000 fans and featuring an impressive lineup of musicians, including headliners like Blink-182, Green Day, Weezer, and Jack White, along with more than 90 other acts. With a diverse array of musical styles on display, such as punk, heavy metal, hip hop, and pop punk, Riot Fest has made its mark in Chicago for two decades. Originating in 2005 at various venues across the city, the festival eventually found a home in Humboldt Park from 2012 to 2014 before moving to Douglass Park in 2015, where it has remained since. The festival’s comeback in 2025 not only showcases its rich history in the music scene but also highlights its complex relationship with the West Side community.
As we eagerly await Riot Fest 2026, we’ve compiled a list of must-see artists along with some of our favorite tracks to look out for during the festival:
1. CHASE PETRA – “CENTRIFUGAL FORCE”
2. RICO NASTY – “TIME FLIES”
3. HONEY REVENGE – “HABITUAL”
4. JULIA WOLF – “GET OFF MY”
5. HARRISON GORDON – “DRIVER’S SIDE”
6. WISHY – “LOVE ON THE OUTSIDE”
7. DEHD – “DOG DAYS”
8. FREE THROW – “THE CORNER’S DILEMMA”
9. CITIZEN – “THE SUMMER”
10. CLIFFDIVER – “DAYZ GONE”
11. THROWN – “GUILT”
12. THE LINDA LINDAS – “GROWING UP”
13. LAMBRINI GIRLS – “LOVE”
14. KNUCKLE PUCK – “PRETENSE”
15. TOUCHÉ AMORÉ – “PALM DREAMS”
16. MICROWAVE – “BUT NOT OFTEN”
17. INHALER – “CHEER UP BABY”
18. SENSES FAIL – “GOLD JACKET, GREEN JACKET…”
19. THE PARADOX – “BENDER”
20. MAC SABBATH – “PAIR-A-BUNS”
21. KNOCKED LOOSE – “MISTAKES LIKE FRACTURES”
22. GIRL IN A COMA – “THEIR CELL”
23. FOOTBALLHEAD – “TIGHTROPE”
24. SPEED OF LIGHT – “KILL THE VIBE”
25. SOFT PLAY – “EVERYTHING AND NOTHING”
With an eclectic mix of genres and talented artists, Riot Fest promises to deliver an unforgettable experience for music enthusiasts of all tastes. So, mark your calendars and get ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant sounds and energy of these incredible performers at Riot Fest Chicago 2025.