Organizers of Chicago’s Riot Fest & Carnival have just announced a slew of club shows to take place each night after the festival at Humboldt Park takes its nightly hiatus. Festival headliners and their compatriots will hit stages at Aragon Ballroom, Double Door, Concord Music Hall, Cobra Lounge, City Winery, Empty Bottle, Bottom Lounge and Beauty Bar; there’s even a nightly official Riot Fest meet-up/hangout at Emporium Arcade’s Wicker Park and newly opened Logan Square locations. Tickets will be gone in a heartbeat as some of the shows feature intimate performances by true heavyweights, the larger venues are stacked with talent as well. In other news, the mighty NY legends Television join Riot Fest, performing the fest and an after-show. For more information visit http://riotfest.org/chicago-official-shows/
Tickets are on sale now – see links below.
Thursday night, Chicago punk stalwarts Rise Against will kick off the fest at the Aragon Ballroom – they are joined by their old friends the Lawrence Arms, Touche’ Amore and Radkey. Rise Against released The Black Market last month, it debuted at #3 on the Billboard Top 200.
Friday night will be a special treat for punk fans as Riot Fest alumns Bad Religion make a one-off appearance along with Anti-Flag at Double Door. Bad Religion will not be playing the festival, so don’t miss this chance to see them in a small club!
When C*ck Sparrer hit Chicago to play Riot Fest in 2009, it was a revelation, with fans going absolutely nuts. The band is a force of nature – and will perform both the Fest and an after-show. They share the bill with fellow UK rabble rousers Stiff Little Fingers!
The Get Up Kids are one of the mid-west’s favorite bands – they reunite for both the Fest and a show at Bottom Lounge with So So Glos and Modern Baseball.
Seattle meets NY at the Double Door, when Mudhoney meets Thurston Moore.
Saturday will see Primus’ first performance with Tool drummer, Danny Carey, filling in for Herb (Tim “Herb” Alexander) on drums. Herb is out for recovery from recent heart surgery, but he has left his throne in good hands and we’re excited to see what Danny brings to the table for the performance at Concord Music Hall and at the festival on Sunday (9/14). Les Claypool explained, “When Tim “Herb the Ginseng Drummer” Alexander had a minor heart attack a few weeks back we were all startled. The mighty Tim “Herb” Alexander is a poly rhythmic Viking of extreme and unique talent so the one person that we thought could step into his shoes and do it justice is the one and only Mr. Danny Carey. He’s a dear old friend and we are extremely excited to have him aboard and I would wager we are equally if not more intrigued than most by what kind of sounds are going to come out of the three of us once we actually get in a room together and do more than just consume fancy booze.”
Fans will probably never have a chance to see the Hold Steady in a room the size of Cobra Lounge again – they’ll rock one of Chicago’s greatest small rooms as well as the festival. Death & Memphis open up.
Billy Bragg brings his political power-folk to City Winery in addition to his festival appearance.
Blue Meanies, Mineral, Lucero and Hot Snakes also headline after-shows, and Andrew W.K. will DJ at Beauty Bar.
You can view the full after-show listings below. There are more announcements coming soon – the awe-inspiring plethora of killer Riot Fest late shows will ensure fans get their second wind and see their favorite bands in club and concert settings across the city. Chicago has a mind-boggling array of wonderful venues – out of towners should prepare to caffeinate and enjoy what this amazing city has to offer.
Thursday Sept. 11
Aragon Ballroom (5:00pm, all ages)
Rise Against
The Lawrence Arms
Touché Amoré
Radkey
Friday Sept. 12
Concord Music Hall (9:30pm, 18+)
C*ck Sparrer -Stiff Little Fingers
Victory
Double Door (10pm, 21+)
Bad Religion
Anti-Flag
Cobra Lounge (10pm, 21+)
The Hold Steady
Death & Memphis
Bottom Lounge (9:30 pm, 17+)
The Get Up Kids
Modern Baseball
So So Glos
City Winery (7pm, 21+)
Billy Bragg
Billy The Kid
Emporium Arcade Bar (10pm, 21+)
Official Riot Fest Post Hang
Saturday Sept.13
Concord Music Hall (10pm, 18+)
Primus
Double Door (10pm, 21+)
Mineral
Into It. Over It.
Cobra Lounge (10pm, 21+)
Television
Bottom Lounge (9:30pm, 17+)
Blue Meanies
Empty Bottle (9pm, 21+)
Hot Snakes
Plague Vendor
Beauty Bar (10pm, 21+)
Andrew W.K. (DJ set)
RVSP at Do312.com
Emporium Arcade Bar (10pm, 21+)
Official Riot Fest Post Hang
Sunday Sept. 14
Double Door (10pm, 21+)
Thurston Moore
Mudhoney
Cobra Lounge (10pm, 21+)
Lucero
Emporium Arcade Bar (10pm, 21+)
Official Riot Fest Post Hang
Aragon Ballroom 1106 W. Lawrence Ave.
Concord Music Hall 2047 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Double Door 1572. N. Milwaukee Ave.
Cobra Lounge 235 N. Ashland Ave.
Bottom Lounge 1375 W. Lake St.
City Winery 1200 W. Randolph St.
Empty Bottle 1035 N. Western Ave.
Beauty Bar 1444 W. Chicago Ave.