Riot Fest lineup features Foo Fighters, Turnstile, The Cure

Riot Fest lineup announced, but theres a problem

The Riot Fest 2023 lineup is out, and tickets are now on sale. But theres one big problem — the Chicago Park District hasnt given the green light for the show to go on.

CHICAGO - The Riotfest 2023 lineup is out, and tickets are now on sale. But there's one big problem — the Chicago Park District hasn't given the green light for the show to go on.

Riotfest organizers are forging ahead as if a permit to host the September music fest is a done deal, and some neighbors of Douglass Park aren't happy about it.

"It's in keeping with their totally disrespectful and irresponsible behavior," said Susan Mullen.

On Tuesday, Riotfest unveiled a big lineup with headliners including Foo Fighters, Turnstile, The Postal Service, Death Cab for Cutie, Queens of the Stone Age, and The Cure.

Regarding the pending permit, the Chicago Park District released a statement saying in part, "The Chicago Park District is committed to balancing the needs and interests of all park users...any ticket sales made prior to the Park District approving a permit are done at the organizer's risk."

"If the park district says no, and people start showing up at Douglass Park angry, it adds a whole layer of confusion that the city will have to deal with. And it could be dangerous," said Mullen.

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Riotfest has had a very tough time garnering support from many neighbors of Douglass Park, concerned about restricted access to the park.

"Our kids end up downtown, celebrating in a way that may be quite inappropriate," said Denise Ferguson. "You don't want them downtown, you don't want them at the local park."

"It's a public park," said Rebecca Wolfram. "Increasingly, these public spaces are being turned over to private entities for mostly the profit of the private entities. In this case: Riotfest."

Some neighbors are also concerned about Riotfest's impact on the two hospitals that sit adjacent to the park.

"There is no acceptable amount of noise when someone is healing from a gunshot wound, a high-risk pregnancy, or just a medical visit," said Ferguson.

Riotfest does have key supporter with the alderman of that ward, Monique Scott, behind it.

Festival organizers said they are working closely with the community and city agencies to address issues such as traffic and logistics.

Presuming it does get a permit, Riotfest will happen September 15-17th.

In addition to food/drink vendors and merchandise tents, this year’s festival will also see the return of the carnival area, wedding chapel and the Logan Arcade vintage games.

Tickets are now on sale, starting at $269 for a three-day general admission pass, at RiotFest.org