TVD Live: Riot Fest, 9/17

It’s officially day one of Riot Fest 2021. One pandemic, two vaccine doses, and numerous lineup changes has led us to this day. The park is packed, the sun is shining, and the drinks are flowing.

Living Colour takes the stage and jokes around that their stylist is going to hate them for not following what was laid out for them to wear, but they’re excited and talking about finally having live music in real time. I think it’s safe to say that everyone here feels the same.

The sun is blazing for most of the day. I see a guy dressed up as Where’s Waldo sitting in the shade. I take off to one of the only stages that has a decent amount of shade and catch the young guys in Beach Goons getting the crowd riled up enough to start a mosh pit.

Motion City Soundtrack has drawn a huge crowd. I’m reminded of how many hits they have as they power through them. Lead singer Justin Courtney Pierre takes a moment to thank the crowd for going out and getting the vaccine or the nose swab because they wouldn’t have been able to finally perform on a stage once again otherwise.

The sun goes down suspiciously early before Coheed and Cambria. I checked the weather the night before so I wasn’t expecting rain, but surprise! It’s pouring, but they’re still rocking. I don’t see anyone trying to run for cover. I think we’re all ready to be at a live festival once again so the rain isn’t bothering anyone.

The rain passes and Chicago’s own The Smashing Pumpkins starts their headlining set. They surprise the crowd by playing “Quiet” for the first time in nearly two decades. I’m mesmerized watching them and love the energy the crowd is giving off. Billy Corgan jokes that he’s an “arty fuck” and asks guitarist James Iha if they should play something obscure or a classic. This leads into “Tonight, Tonight” and I’m pretty sure most of the crowd is belting the lyrics. It feels so good to be experiencing live music once again.

BEACH GOONS