Riot Fest organizers went big for the punk spectacular’s tenth anniversary—more than 100 bands performed on seven stages, and ten of them played classic albums in their entirety—but no amount of planning could’ve stopped Friday’s inclement weather from, um, raining on all the fun. The muddy Humboldt Park fields threatened to suck attendees’ shoes off, but plenty of performers made it easy to forget about the fest’s awkward layout, strange smells, and the Pizza Underground. There were plenty of great performances to take in all weekend long, be it Patti Smith’s heartfelt tribute to her late husband (MC5’s Fred “Sonic” Smith), the Flaming Lips’ psychedelic fever dream, the Hotelier‘s visceral anthems, or ShowYouSuck‘s seriously fun one-man pizza party. Chances are even if you went to Riot Fest you couldn’t see everything you wanted to (there were plenty of schedule conflicts), but fortunately the Reader is here for you: our talented photo staff slogged through the rain and mud to capture all the sights for your enjoyment, so put on Reign in Blood (or whatever classic album you love from front to back) and dig in. —Leor Galil
Riot Fest 2014 in pictures ¡Vamos! Credit: Alison Green¡Vamos! Credit: Alison GreenGwar Credit: Alison GreenGwar Credit: Alison GreenThe crowd during Gwar’s performance Credit: Alison GreenStiff Little Fingers Credit: Alison GreenStiff Little Fingers Credit: Alison GreenNOFX Credit: Alison GreenNOFX Credit: Alison GreenRadkey Credit: Bobby TalamineRadkey Credit: Bobby TalamineRadkey Credit: Bobby TalamineGogol Bordello Credit: Andrea BauerThe crowd during Gogol Bordello’s performance Credit: Andrea BauerGogol Bordello Credit: Andrea BauerGogol Bordello Credit: Bobby TalamineMastodon Credit: Bobby TalamineMastodon Credit: Bobby TalaminePianos Become the Teeth Credit: Alison GreenPianos Become the Teeth Credit: Alison GreenOffspring Credit: Andrea BauerOffspring Credit: Andrea BauerThe crowd during Offspring’s performance Credit: Andrea BauerSlayer Credit: Andrea BauerThe crowd during Slayer’s performance Credit: Andrea BauerSlayer Credit: Andrea BauerRise Against Credit: Alison GreenRise Against Credit: Alison GreenRise Against Credit: Alison GreenPizza Underground Credit: Andrea BauerThe muddy grounds Credit: Andrea BauerOrwells Credit: Andrea BauerOrwells Credit: Andrea BauerOrwells Credit: Andrea BauerBuzzcocks Credit: Alison GreenBuzzcocks Credit: Alison GreenTelevision Credit: Andrea BauerTelevision Credit: Andrea BauerDie Antwoord Credit: Alison GreenDie Antwoord Credit: Alison GreenDie Antwoord Credit: Alison GreenDie Antwoord Credit: Bobby TalamineJessica Hernandez and the Deltas Credit: Alison GreenJessica Hernandez and the Deltas Credit: Alison GreenLemuria Credit: Andrea BauerLemuria Credit: Andrea BauerPaul Weller Credit: Bobby TalamineWu-Tang Clan Credit: Alison GreenThrowing up Ws during Wu-Tang Clan’s performance Credit: Alison GreenWu-Tang Clan Credit: Alison GreenCock Sparrer Credit: Alison GreenCock Sparrer Credit: Alison GreenMetric Credit: Andrea BauerMetric Credit: Andrea BauerMetric Credit: Andrea BauerDescendents Credit: Andrea BauerDescendents Credit: Andrea BauerFlaming Lips Credit: Alison GreenFlaming Lips Credit: Alison GreenFlaming Lips Credit: Alison GreenThe Flaming Lips’ Wayne Coyne backstage Credit: Bobby TalamineThe National Credit: Andrea BauerThe National Credit: Andrea BauerTaking Back Sunday Credit: Alison GreenThe crowd during Taking Back Sunday’s performance Credit: Alison GreenTaking Back Sunday Credit: Alison GreenLaura Stevenson Credit: Shamis McGillinLaura Stevenson Credit: Shamis McGillinBouncing Souls Credit: Alison GreenBouncing Souls Credit: Alison GreenKurt Vile & the Violators Credit: Shamis McGillinBilly Bragg Credit: Alison GreenBilly Bragg Credit: Alison GreenThe Hold Steady Credit: Shamis McGillinThe Hold Steady Credit: Shamis McGillinAndrew W.K. Credit: Shamis McGillinAndrew W.K. Credit: Shamis McGillinMotion City Soundtrack Credit: Shamis McGillinMotion City Soundtrack Credit: Shamis McGillinLucki Ecks Credit: Andrea BauerLucki Ecks Credit: Andrea BauerNaked Raygun Credit: Alison GreenNaked Raygun Credit: Alison GreenLucero Credit: Alison GreenLucero Credit: Alison GreenLucero Credit: Alison GreenTegan and Sara Credit: Shamis McGillinMineral Credit: Shamis McGillinMineral Credit: Shamis McGillinHot Snakes Credit: Alison GreenHot Snakes Credit: Alison GreenShowYouSuck associate Credit: Andrea BauerShowYouSuck Credit: Andrea BauerPatti Smith Credit: Alison GreenPatti Smith Credit: Alison GreenMudhoney Credit: Andrea BauerMudhoney Credit: Andrea BauerSocial Distortion Credit: Shamis McGillinSocial Distortion Credit: Shamis McGillinCheap Trick Credit: Alison GreenCheap Trick Credit: Alison GreenPrimus Credit: Andrea BauerThe Cure Credit: Bobby TalamineThe Cure Credit: Bobby TalamineWeezer Credit: Alison GreenWeezer Credit: Alison Green1 / 106
