After three months of earth-shaking EDM extravaganzas, sprawling grab-bag festivals packed with indie pop, hip-hop, or alt-rock, and neighborhood block parties headlined by Better Than Ezra (or by local bands covering Better Than Ezra), the prospect of attending yet another music festival might feel about as exciting as getting a student-loan statement—”What, this nonsense isn’t over with yet?” But Riot Fest has set itself apart and created its own excitement: since it transformed itself from a multivenue bash into an outdoor extravaganza in 2012, its lineup has been jammed with dozens and dozens of well-known punk and alternative bands, many of whom aren’t on the usual stateside summer-festival circuit. Plus, the carnival games and rides keep things fun when you’re sitting out sets from washed-up Warped Tour alumni.
Fri 9/12, 2 PM, Sat-Sun 9/13-14, 11 AM
Humboldt Park Division and Mozartriotfest.org
$74.98 single-day pass (Sunday sold out), $189.98 three-day pass, $139.98-$149.98 two-day pass, $139.98 VIP single-day pass (Sunday sold out), VIP three-day passes sold out All-ages
