Riot Fest 2024 once again proved why it remains a cornerstone of the American punk rock scene, blending nostalgia with the cutting edge of alternative music. This year’s lineup showcased headliners Fall Out Boy, Beck, Pavement, and Slayer, while simultaneously bidding farewell to NOFX over three nights of the band’s retirement tour. Despite a last-minute shift back to Chicago’s Douglass Park and unpredictable weather that saw two days of intense heat followed by a rainy Sunday, Riot Fest persevered, offering a diverse and thrilling weekend for tens of thousands of music lovers.

Across multiple stages, the festival demonstrated the breadth of the punk and alternative scene, from hardcore powerhouses like Fiddlehead and The Armed to veteran acts such as the Buzzcocks and The Vandals. Bands like The Offspring, Drug Church, and Spiritual Cramp added to the energy of the afternoon, while Fall Out Boy’s extravagant, fireworks-filled hometown set on Friday night offered a theatrical balance to the more raw performances throughout the weekend.

Additional highlights included sets by Public Enemy, The Marley Brothers, Sum 41, Cypress Hill, New Found Glory, and Suicidal Tendencies on Friday, St. Vincent, Spoon, Manchester Orchestra, Waxahatchee, and Taking Back Sunday on Saturday, and Rob Zombie, Sublime, Dr. Dog, Oliver Tree, Something Corporate, Lamb of God, Mastadon, and GWAR on Sunday.

Riot Fest’s unique blend of genres—from emo and hardcore to metal and indie rock to reggae, hip-hop, and beyond—created a melting pot of in-your-face music, as resilient attendees braved both the oppressive heat and the rain-soaked grounds.

Despite myriad logistical challenges, Riot Fest 2024 delivered an unforgettable weekend of music, mayhem, and a bittersweet farewell to one of punk’s most iconic bands. As NOFX heads into the sunset, Riot Fest proves that punk’s past, present, and future are alive and well.

Click below to view daily photo galleries from Riot Fest 2024 courtesy of photographer Brett Bergen.