TVD Live Shots: Riot Fest Denver, 9/2

Deftones

May 12, 2016 …a day that would be forever marked in time for Misfits fans worldwide. While many took the announcement as a sick internet prank, the Riot Fest team had actually done what had always seemed impossible, reunited the original Misfits. Yes, after years of legal squabbles and ill will, Glenn Danzig, Jerry Only, and Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein would be taking the stage together for the first time since 1983, bringing fiends far and wide to Denver, Colorado.

Back at the Western National Complex for the second year in a row, Riot Fest kicked off early on Friday of Labor Day weekend. As concert goers trickled through the front gates, a faint scent wafted through the air, not-to-subtly reminding folks that this site is better known for rodeos than punk shows. With four stages and a freak show inside the big top tent, there would be plenty to keep the concert goers busy.

Bleached

As always with these types of events, there are tough choices to be made. Those with OCD will sketch out a schedule for the day but those things never seem to go as planned. As the sun beat down on dirt lots, the indoor stage offered a nice respite from the heat. Luck have it, that seemed to be where the action was.

Sure, it’s hard to pass up a set by Fucked Up even if it’s taking place in the blazing sun. Front man “Father” Damian Abraham wailing in the ears of the front row is something to behold. But inside was clearly where the action was on this day—Plague Vendor, Diarrhea Planet, The Wonder Years, The Aquabats, Lagwagon, and NOFX—a punker’s wet dream that did not disappoint and had the packed dirt floor of the rodeo arena filled to the back as the Descendents delivered what was likely the best set of the day. With a new album under the belts, it’s a joy to see them back and ready to destroy.

Alas the day wrapped up with a tough choice. Jane’s Addiction performing Ritual De Lo Habitual in its entirety or Deftones? From the looks of the Western National Complex, it was a split decision on the part of the audience. While I can’t comment on the Jane’s Addiction performance, the Deftones put on a powerful hour-long set that only disappointed in its relatively short length.

While the festival wrapped up by 10 pm, that wasn’t the end for many of the concert goers who made their way to one of the after shows taking place in clubs downtown. The Marquis Theater was one of those clubs and featured headliners Against Me! for what proved to be a wild and intimate affair. And anyone that made it out to the Summit Music Hall early enough to catch Bleached’s opening set was likely to shuffle their Sunday plans so that they could catch them again at the Festival.

AGAINST ME!