I’d be lying if the name of this blog wasn’t written as an homage to the exact conditions felt at Douglas Park on day two. Abandoned flip-flops were stuck in mud like Popsicle sticks in a freezer. Despite a relatively mild day spent in the low 60’s, the sun beamed onto a waddling crowd in Douglas Park. And of course extortion priced beers, where no doubt omnipresent, as well.
Photo by Brian Nguyen – Chicago Tribune
Still, what was the story for Riot Fest day two? I suppose the most appropriate answer was dependent on what part of the park you decided to plop your feet down…but also, there’s a good chance if you where anywhere near the stage for System of Down you might have been fighting for your life.
But before we get too far ahead…
Perennial avant-garde alien metal band Gwar continued their yearly visit at Riot Fest. Yes, much “blood” was gushed into a crowd (along with various alien “liquids”) emanating from mock alien orifices. And yes, the riffs came quickly and with abandon. But it’s still damn fun to watch.
Photo by Jessica Mlinaric
Legendary punk band The Damned played a rollicking set as lead singer Vanian mentioned the odd setting for the band to play in. This was due to the fact that there was indeed sunshine and lollipops in the park. Also, guitarist Captain Sensible continued his reputation as the most sensibly dressed person on stage. Great set.
Bootsy Collins’ Rubber decided to simply funk it up the nth degree and possibly have one of the best sets of the weekend. But then again, what else would you expect from a member of Parliament-Funkadelic. In fact, hearing Parliament’s “Flashlight” live might have caused a ripple in the space-time continuum…or at the very least made a lot of people in the crowd dance with a little more oomph.
Photo by Brian Nguyen – Chicago Tribune
Merle Haggard’s set gave the Riot Fest crowd an opportunity to alleviate itself with some classic country. Despite the rhythmic slow down, this was a man who was part of the outlaw country music movement. (Johnny Cash could have easily have commanded just as big a crowd, if he were still alive.) Listening to “Okie From Muskogee” in front of a crowd that just saw Bootsy Collins somehow felt right.
Photo by Jessica Mlinaric
Although Billy Idol experience some audio “glitches” along the way, no pop fan from the 80’s (or fan of the Wedding Singer) could possibly resist an open karaoke night at Douglas Park. “Dancing With Myself”, “Rebel Yell”, “White Wedding”, and the Tommy James & the Shondells cover “Mony Mony” sent the crowd into a tizzy. That’s how to utilize your hits…
Photo by Brian Nguyen – Chicago Tribune
System of a Down nearly brought a literal meaning to Riot Fest. Before the band even got on stage, a log jam of people surrounded the front stage. The band started out fierce and the crowd responded.
Unfortunately, things got so chaotic in front of the stage that by the time they started their hit “Aerials” the band clearly became concerned over people passing out and getting trampled.
Accounts of how dangerous it really was were numerous: https://www.reddit.com/r/RiotFest/comments/3kr56y/system_of_a_down/
In the end, the salient decision by the band to refuse to play until things settled down might have saved multiple lives.
After several songs passed, the band seemed less shaken and launched into another furious streak to a head-banging crowd.
By the time “Toxicity” and “Sugar” ended their potently kinetic set, blood, sweat, and cheers became the true story of the night.
Mud, Sweat, and Beers 