Smashing Pumpkins headlines Riot Fest Day 2 — but first, what is this, a fest thunderstorm?
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Riot Fest had all five stages up and running Friday, and Chicago band Smashing Pumpkins headlined along with Lupe Fiasco. The preview night Thursday concluded with Morrissey; the festival continues through the end of the night Sunday.
Whether you make it out to Douglass Park this weekend or not, let the following serve as your Riot Fest scratch card.
Thunderstorms, check: The one thing missing from Chicago’s return to outdoor live music this summer has been a storm, and Riot Fest, always accommodating, agreed to offer one up Friday. (In 2019 and years past, nasty weather has interrupted pretty much every major Chicago festival at one time or another.) In North Lawndale, it was more pyrotechnic lightning than heavy downpours, more a guessing game of “will it or won’t it.” A double “S’ of lightning bolts formed a near-figure 8 high in the sky somewhere over the Rebel stage at one point, much to the “Oohs!” of the crowd. The heaviest rains were brief and the festival never had to stop or clear the grounds.
Headliners, check: Smashing Pumpkins took the Riot mainstage about half past 8 p.m., frontman Bill Corgan coming out to cheers in a long, flowing black gown. After opening with last year’s release “Colour of Love,” the band switched over to back-to-back ‘90s hits “Bullet with Butterfly Wings” and “Today.” Fans pressed close to the stage, many clearly there specifically to see the Pumpkins, and sung along from the first notes.
“Yes, Chicago!” Corgan said with raised fists.
Carnival rides, check: One thing that sets Riot Fest apart is its carnival midway, with rides including chair swings, a Tilt-A-Whirl and the Zipper. Longest line was for the good ol’ Ferris wheel. Hanna Zech of Columbus was willing to wait because the Ferris wheel was the highest, and she a friend wanted to see the Chicago skyline. (Full report: they had been downtown yesterday and, sorry, found The Bean a little underwhelming.)
Corn dogs, check: Most popular food of Riot Fest, going by vendor lines? A corn dog. Chloe Bompo of San Diego was a ways back but didn’t mind. “I’m actually a pescatarian,” she said, normally eating fish as her only meat. “But when I’m at a music fest I go on vacation. Yesterday was my first corn dog in five years and it was so ... good.”
Saturday bands on tap include Run the Jewels, Andrew W.K., Taking Back Sunday and the Dropkick Murphys. Sunday’s don’t-miss is the Flaming Lips, along with the heavy metal of Slipknot, Devo and the art rock of Chicago band Facs.
Just to the east of the Smashing Pumpkins, Chicago’s Lupe Fiasco headlined the Radical stage after dark, drawing a crowd of his own and opening with “Go Go Gadget Flow” as a tribute to his hometown. He sung out the refrain, “I’m from the city in the Midwest best city in the whole wide wide world!”
Riot Fest runs 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in Douglass Park, 1401 S. Sacramento Drive. The main entrance is at the corner of West Ogden Avenue and South Sacramento Drive. A photo ID and either proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours required. Tickets and more information, including full COVID-19 protocols, at riotfest.org.
