TVD Live Shots: Riot Fest Chicago, 9/15

2:55PM: Where are The Village People? They’re running late so I rush over to the Rise Stage to catch Less Than Jake. The ladies of The Beaches are sounding great at the Riot Stage.

3:09PM: Less Than Jake are as charismatic in between songs as they are during them. They’re jokesters, too: “I didn’t get to see any of Slayer last night and I heard that there was a circle pit, so fuck you guys.”

3:15PM: Speaking of circle pits, apparently the largest one of the weekend has formed at the Radicals Stage for—of all acts—The Village People!

3:27PM: Shoegaze rockers Ride are lulling me into a dreamscape. I’d like to lay in the shade and daydream through their whole set—but there’s no way in hell I’m missing Dayton’s finest (Guided By Voices).

4:10PM: Robert Pollard is such a legend. In between high kicks and karate moves, he slams shots from the bottle like the old school rocker that he is. Guided By Voices continues to be such a killer band live—keep touring!

4:22PM: Local favorites Against Me! have drawn a huge crowd and for good reason—they’re playing Reinventing Axl Rose and Transgender Dysphoria Blues in full and back-to-back!

5:25PM: I wasn’t sure what to expect from The B-52’s but wow are they great. Rumored to be their last Chicago show, they’ve busted out all of the hits from their 40+ year career.

6:04PM: It’s raining a little bit but no one’s complaining. We’ve escaped the rain all weekend and for the second year in a row the weather gods have granted us three beautiful days at Douglas Park. Bob Mould isn’t phased by the rain and wails through his set.

6:54PM: Man is the atmosphere electric for Ween. The crowd is HYPED and singing along to “The Mollusk.” Gener and Deaner are all smiles.

7:06PM: As usual, Patti Smith is stealing the show. It’s just what she does. Her second song in is a wonderful version of Jimi Hendrix’s “Are You Experienced?” and now we’re being treated to “Because the Night” in honor of her late husband, Fred “Sonic” Smith, whose birthday was yesterday. She ends with a powerful version of “Gloria.”

7:46PM: I guess The Raconteurs were as moved as I was by Patti Smith because they just morphed into “Gloria.” Awesome.

9:05PM: It’s only fitting that the 15th anniversary of Riot Fest concludes with Riot Grrrl pioneers, Bikini Kill. Cheers to many years of special performances to come, Riot Fest. See you next year!

LESS THAN JAKE