After over a decade of no new music My Chemical Romance has returned to grace us with the new song The Foundations of Decay. The last time we had new music from MCR was in 2010 right before they announced they would be taking a break. now 12 years later it seems like the everything is falling apart and this is exactly what the world needs! The song sounds like it could be a hidden track right off of Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge. The band starts their North American tour in September in Detroit MI and will also be heading Riot Fest. Get tickets here.
Your 3-Day Pass will grant you access to Thursday’s Preview Party. For General Admission ticket holders, the same ticket will be used for all four days. VIP, Deluxe, and Ultimate buyers will be able to pick up their passes on Thursday and enjoy access to the respective lounges and all of the special benefits that come with your pass.
Gates open at 2:30pm, so come grab a drink, take a free spin on the Ferris Wheel, get the lay of the land, and take advantage of some of the special attractions noted below. Heck, you could even get married!
BUT… there’s more than just huge performances. At our first-ever Preview Party, you’ll enjoy the following:
Free carnival rides. Ride all the rides you want, because on Thursday they’re free for the whole day. Yes, really.
Sideshow performers. See all sorts of wonderfully weird performances—like fire breathers and other daredevils!
Exclusive merch. Not only will there be some special Preview Party items, but you’ll also get first dibs on merchandise before everyone else!
PLUS! We’re thrilled to offer some one-of-a-kind attractions just for our Preview Party, which will include:
The Riot Fest Wedding Chapel: You’ve asked for it… a lot. This year, you can get legally married at Riot Fest—with an ordained minister and our beautiful Wedding Chapel backdrop waiting for anyone hoping to tie the knot.
“No, YOU Suck!” Singing Competition: Riot Fest’s spin on American Idol. Fans will have the chance to sing on stage at Riot Fest and compete for prizes, judged by a panel of special guests that even includes Riot Mike himself!
Dunk The Riot Fest Twitter Person: Has our social media person ever roasted you? Annoyed you? Mocked your love of cantaloupe? Get your revenge, throw a perfect pitch, and send them swimming in our dunk tank.
Mamma Mia, it’s really happening. After 40 years, ABBA is back together. A new record is due out this November, and a U.K. concert is already planned for next May.
So… we’re officially calling first dibs. ABBA, take a chance on us and play Riot Fest 2022.
This is not a joke. We will do whatever it takes to make this a reality—and knowing me, knowing you, there is nothing we can’t do. If we succeed, we promise that we will make this thing the greatest concert in the history of live music. Sign our petition now and help us book the greatest band in existence.
Look, we’ve got money (money, money). And sure, Riot Mike is sitting upstairs furiously making phone calls right now, while ABBA Gold blasts through the office (also not a joke). But we need your help to get some Super Troupers on this and make everyone’s collective dreams come true. Sign the petition, tell your friends, and post everywhere you can that you want #ABBAforRiotFest.
This Sunday (July 11), we're hosting our next round of community initiatives benefiting the Douglass Park community, in partnership with the Riot Fest Foundation. Organizers will be at the corner of Ogden and Sacramento from 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. overseeing the following initiatives:
1. Community Tickets
Once again, we invite our Douglass Park neighbors to come out and enjoy this year’s Riot Fest, September 17–19, free of charge. Douglass Park residents who live within a certain radius must register ahead of time for complimentary tickets—read the full details on our website and stop by this Sunday to get signed up!
2. Job Fairs
We’re seeking residents from North Lawndale and Douglass Park-adjacent communities to work in temporary positions during this year’s festival. Applications are now live. These temporary positions are available in various departments; more information is available via our Job Fairs post.
3. Volunteer Park Cleanup
Signups are full for our second volunteer-powered park cleanup of the year. We'll be mulching trees, picking up trash, pulling weeds, planting flowers, and more—selected volunteers will receive Riot Fest tickets in exchange for their efforts.
A Safe Haven Foundation is keeping its virtual 5K going with the 2nd Annual Global Virtual Run/Walk to End Homelessness. Everyone who signs up for the race is entered to win a pair of Riot Fest tickets! The virtual run period is July 17–25, so sign up now (and be sure to join the Riot Fest Foundation team).
Our Community Spotlights feature the wonderful food, nightlife, and local businesses found within Douglass Park, home to Riot Fest. Our current favorite spot to eat is Mariscos La Playa, a fantastic seafood restaurant worth stopping by. Read our writeup about Mariscos La Playa—and stay tuned for more Community Spotlights in the coming weeks!