Descendents perform at Riot Fest in Douglass Park in Chicago on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
We still haven’t recovered from the awesome experience of Day One at Riot Fest, yet somehow Day Two upped the ante even higher – and featured a surprise schedule change due to incoming inclement weather. Pup, Descendents, Gurriers, Destroy Boys and more melted faces in the afternoon and Social Distortion, Nas, and the Saturday Night headliners, Tool – who ended up starting their set with “Stinkfist” at 6 p.m. – had everyone in Chicago’s Douglass Park rocking until gates closed.
The Rise Stage was the place to be for ska fans as The Suicide Machines and Less Than Jake provided a horn-heavy one-two punch for everyone ready to skank it up and have a good time. The Suicide Machines encouraged everyone to dance as they played their iconic 1996 album Destruction by Definition in its entirety before Less Than Jake shared a setlist full of their fan favorites. “Johnny Quest Thinks We’re Sellouts” and “Gainesville Rock City” were pure delights.
Less Than Jake performs at Riot Fest in Douglass Park in Chicago on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
The announcement of the schedule change – which shortened and shifted the remaining sets up to avoid the worst of the weather – came during Less Than Jake. It created a bit of confusion since the group of Gainseville rockers are known for their dry humor as much as their circle pit inducing songs. That and, during that very moment, all anyone wanted to do was to keep having a ska-tastic good time. The rest could be figured out later!
Another great band known for their infectious energy are Gogol Bordello. Their set on the Rise Stage was a gypsy punk party fueled by passion and talent. Songs like “I Would Never Wanna Be Young Again” and “Not a Crime” were among the many highlights of their performance.
Gogol Bordello performs at Riot Fest in Douglass Park in Chicago on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
Bad Religion is a timeless band. If you are new to their politically-charged music, it’s nearly impossible to decipher which songs originated in the 1980s and which ones were released today. “21st Century (Digital Boy),” which was a standout of their Riot Fest set, is a perfect example of how Greg Graffin and company identified societal ills that have (unfortunately) stood the test of time. At least we got this banger of a song as a response to the sedated complacency of the masses. And boy did it feel good to sing it loud with fellow fans.
Bad Religion performs at Riot Fest in Douglass Park in Chicago on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
Chat Pile, Angine De Poitrine, and The Iron Roses also put on unforgettable performances during Day Two of Riot Fest.
Descendents perform at Riot Fest in Douglass Park in Chicago on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
Less Than Jake performs at Riot Fest in Douglass Park in Chicago on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
Gogol Bordello performs at Riot Fest in Douglass Park in Chicago on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
Bad Religion performs at Riot Fest in Douglass Park in Chicago on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
