William Shatner performs at Riot Fest in Douglass Park in Chicago on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
The third and final day of Riot Fest offered an amazing, eclectic assortment of performers throughout the wet and extremely muddy grounds. After a delayed opening of the gates, Alanis Morissette, The Format, and The Beths all delivered unforgettable sets, but it was the evening’s headliners, Pierce the Veil, who closed things out with a bang.
The Format performs at Riot Fest in Douglass Park in Chicago on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
The band – comprised of Vic Fuentes, Tony Perry, and along with touring drummer Loniel Robinson – delivered a pop-punk extravaganza that quite literally brought the fire. This show marked Pierce the Veil’s first time as a headliner at Riot Fest, but after that performance, it’s all but a guarantee that they will be back to do it all again in the future.
Right before PTV took the Riot Stage by storm, Riot Fest favorites Taking Back Sunday warmed things up with a special Album Play set. Louder Now, the group’s stellar 2006 release, transported fans back in time with hits like “Liar (It Takes One to Know One)” and “MakeDamnSure.”
Fans enjoy Riot Fest in Douglass Park in Chicago on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
Riot Fest has been known to create unique concert-going experiences. Chicago’s own Sincere Engineer encouraged fans to participate in their now-infamous tradition of the “corn dog circle pit.” Smiles grew as far as the eye could see as fans ventured into the center of the crowd, with their DoorDash delivered snacks held high in the air, ready to have a good time. Lead vocalist and guitarist Deanna Belos joked about the rainy atmosphere saying that the band looked like Oasis in their weather-resisted wardrobe.
Somehow this was not the most rare and extraordinary event of the day as William Shatner of Star Trek fame performed with his heavy metal band The *uckers giving festival-goers a show that was truly unforgettable. After opening with a cover of Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train,” the legend of the screen and stage proceeded to encourage fans to rock like no one has rocked before.
Haywire performs at Riot Fest in Douglass Park in Chicago on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
Elsewhere, the Godmother of Punk herself, Patti Smith, delivered an inspired and inspiring set which was followed by Elvis Costello & The Imposters, who closed out the Rise Stage. Pretty Girls Make Graves, Pennywise, and Haywire were further highlights of the Sunday fun.
William Shatner performs at Riot Fest in Douglass Park in Chicago on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
The Format performs at Riot Fest in Douglass Park in Chicago on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
Fans enjoy Riot Fest in Douglass Park in Chicago on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
Haywire performs at Riot Fest in Douglass Park in Chicago on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
