Riot Fest & Carnival Unveils First Wave of Artists, Elvis Costello, Iggy

Article Contributed by SRO | Published on Tuesday, May 15, 2012

After a landmark year in 2011, the eighth annual RIOT FEST--the music festival which celebrates rock, indie, punk and underground artists from every era--is expanding for the first-time ever into an outdoor music event and carnival in 2012. The RIOT FEST & CARNIVAL will feature a wide mix of artists ranging from Gaslight Anthem, NOFX, Alkaline Trio, Built To Spill, AWOLNATION, Gogol Bordello, Frank Turner, Coheed and Cambria, Less Than Jake and many more. It’s set for Friday, September 14, Saturday, September 15 and Sunday, September 16 in Chicago on the beautiful grounds of Humboldt Park which boasts rolling fields, pavilions, tall trees, picturesque gardens a lake and lagoons with a majestic view of the Chicago skyline.

Promoters are encouraging fans not to miss out by unveiling the majority of the diverse line-up for 2012 and offering an early-bird 2-Day pass for $36.00, plus surcharges for a limited time. 3-day passes begin at $90.00 and include all shows at Humboldt Park, Congress Theater and after-parties. VIP passes are available for $155.00 and include private stage-viewing areas, a sectioned off VIP area in the park with a private bar and drink tickets. Tickets are available at www.riotfest.org.

RIOT FEST & CARNIVAL is expanding to its new location Humboldt Park--which is flanked by a handful of hip neighborhoods including Wicker Park and the Division Street corridor--in order to accommodate a large carnival atmosphere featuring three main music stages, thrilling rides, games, vendors and gourmet food trucks thoughtfully arranged on the gorgeous park grounds with stunning views of downtown Chicago for an enjoyable experience. With temperatures averaging around a perfect 75°F/24°C, September is one of Chicago’s most popular months for travelers from all over the world.

A wide array of confirmed talent is on tap for RIOT FEST & CARNIVAL, including RISE AGAINST, IGGY & THE STOOGES, ELVIS COSTELLO, THE OFFSPRING, A DAY TO REMEMBER, COHEED AND CAMBRIA, DESCENDENTS, GOGOL BORDELLO, THE JESUS AND MARY CHAIN, DROPKICK MURPHYS, NOFX, THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM, ALKALINE TRIO, AWOLNATION, THE PROMISE RING, GWAR, AUGUST BURNS RED, FRANK TURNER, BUILT TO SPILL, LESS THAN JAKE, REVEREND HORTON HEAT, FISHBONE, NOBUNNY, A WILHELM SCREAM, SCREAMING FEMALES, TEENAGE BOTTLEROCKET, OFF WITH THEIR HEADS, DEALS GONE BAD, WHITE MYSTERY, LARRY AND HIS FLASK, THE STORY SO FAR, JAPANTHER; and the first show for a reunited CHIODOS (original line-up) as well as a reunion for SLAPSTICK.

More acts and events will be announced in the coming weeks leading up to the festival.

As previously announced, RIOT FEST enjoyed a successful east coast expansion to Philadelphia in 2011 and on Thursday, July 19, the music fest will return to the Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing with REFUSED, THE PROMISE RING, AUGUST BURNS RED, OFF!, GAMEFACE, BOY SETS FIRE, HIRS and more. Although initially planned as a three-day event in Philly this year, RIOT FEST promoters have come across a exciting new opportunity for the East Coast and have decided to focus their efforts on making this a special late-summer event. Expect a full announcement soon. For all questions regarding tickets, click here.

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