Riot Fest 2014: The Cure, Wu-Tang Clan, Weezer Set to Headline

Riot Fest will be celebrating its 10th anniversary in three cities this year, with the lineups for its Chicago and Denver editions joining the previously announced Toronto festival in showcasing a diverse roster of talent.

The Cure, Jane’s Addiction, Wu-Tang Clan, the National, Rise Against, Weezer and the Flaming Lips (no word on whether Miley will be in tow) are just some of the major acts booked for the festivals, with more groups set to be announced. Toronto’s Riot Fest & Expo will happen on September 6th and 7th at Downsview Park, Chicago’s Riot Fest & Carnival goes down September 12th – 14th in Humboldt Park and Denver’s Riot Fest & Sideshow takes place September 19th – 21st at May Farms.

Summer 2014’s 40 Must-See Music Festivals: Riot Fest

The Chicago festival will feature one of GWAR’s first performances since the death of David Brockie, a.k.a. Oderus Urungus. Pussy Riot (Nadya Tolokonnikova and Masha Alekhina) will also take part in an interactive panel with Russian artists and formerly imprisoned activists. 

Other notable acts appearing on the bill include the Offspring, Descendents, Cheap Trick, Thurston Moore, the reunion of Glenn Danzig’s group Samhain and Macaulay Culkin’s pizza-themed Velvet Underground cover band, The Pizza Underground. Despite significant wooing on social media, it seems that only John Stamos’ band Jesse and the Rippers remain Riot Fest’s white whale. 

Riot Fest announced its Toronto lineup last week, which includes City and Colour, Metric, the National, Billy Talent, Rise Against, and Death Cab for Cutie. Last year’s editions featured The Replacements reuniting, as well as Pixies, Blondie, Joan Jett, Dinosaur Jr., Public Enemy and Blink-182. 

In addition to its musical offerings, Riot Fest’s Chicago offerings include carnivalesque spectacles—last year’s event featured Lucha Libre wrestling, many Chicago food trucks and a Ferris wheel overlooking the entire park. 

For the full lineups and tickets, visit Riot Fest’s website.