Smashing Pumpkins Homecoming Steals The Show As Riot Fest Resumes In Chicago

“What a beautiful night!” said Sublime with Rome singer and guitarist Rome Ramirez on stage Friday as Riot Fest picked back up in Chicago’s Douglass Park. “I swear to god we will never take this for granted. We sat on our asses for one year.” 

Ramirez echoed the sentiment of many artists who’ve begun to resume live performance after being forced off the road for over a year and a half amidst the COVID pandemic. 

Missouri punk rock trio Radkey arrived at Riot Fest fresh off a tour as the opening act for Foo Fighters, a bit of an encore for the group following an August performance in Chicago at Lollapalooza.

“It’s been kind of crazy because you’ve got all of the masking and safety. But, honestly, for us, we enjoy the extra precautions. Because it really sucks to get sick with anything on the road. So we’re wiping microphones down, we’re wearing masks – it’s kind of nice,” said bassist Isaiah Radke, illustrating the climate today for bands on the road as the Delta variant continues to surge. “And on top of that, there seems to be quite the feeling that people are wanting to go see live shows again. And they’re willing to be safe and go. That show at the Forum, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen so many people committing to wearing their masks,” he said, noting an August performance in Los Angeles alongside Foo Fighters. “I think that there’s a future if people keep it safe. And there seems to be a big amount of people ready for this to be able to happen again.”

Friday afternoon, Radkey took to the Rise stage for a frenzied 45 minute set as temperatures in Chicago pushed 90 degrees. 

The group, who hope to release a new single this fall, kicked off their set with “Evil Doer” from their 2016 album Delicious Rock Noise, singer and guitarist Dee Radke channeling Misfit Glenn Danzig as a mosh pit broke out in front of the stage.

“There was a circle pit going! I haven’t seen one of those in such a long time. It was crazy playing to that situation. It was super hot but the audience energy really kind of pushed us through so that was nice,” said the bassist following the group’s festival performance. “It’s really amazing. Because Riot Fest is something that’s been a part of our career for a minute. Back when we were kids, young teens, we got to play Riot Fest [in 2014]. So it’s great to be able to pop back over here and do this. Because that was a really sweet set. It was insane.”

“Chicagoland! Yes!” screamed guitarist Vernon Reid as Living Colour geared up for an afternoon set on the Radical stage. 

The group took things back to 1990, opening a brief set with “Type” from their sophomore album Time’s Up.

Reid channeled Hendrix during a scorching solo at the top of “Desperate People,” one of the day’s best examples of the way Living Colour continues to fuse funk, jazz, rock and more in unparalleled fashion.

“Before we play this next one, we’d like to bring a special guest out,” said singer Corey Glover, clad in a neon green suit despite the high temps, introducing an appearance by Chicago native and professional wrestler CM Punk, who uses Living Colour’s “Cult of Personality” as his entrance music.

Punk returned to the ring earlier this month for the first time in seven years as part of All Elite Wrestling, appearing at AEW’s “All Out” pay-per-view event in the suburbs of Chicago, and celebrated with Living Colour Friday at Riot Fest.

“It is an honor and a privilege to know four of the greatest artists in the world,” said Punk on stage. “You call them Living Colour but you could also call them the best in the world… Living Colour, play my f—-ing song!” 

Glover jumped down from the stage, mixing it up with the crowd, as the group tore threw a raucous take on their biggest hit “Cult of Personality,” capping a triumphant set with Punk prior to a special aftershow late Friday night. 

“Holy sh-t, this is a party!” said Rome Ramirez Friday as Sublime with Rome took to the stage in front of one of the early afternoon’s larger crowds. 

Nostalgia is a key ingredient each year at Riot Fest and no band better encapsulated it on day one than Sublime with Rome who, featuring original Sublime bassist Eric Wilson, looked back upon Sublime over the course of one hour on the Radical stage.

“We got some OG Sublime fans in the house tonight?” asked Ramirez rhetorically as the group put forth cuts like “Wrong Way,” “April 29, 1992,” “Pawn Shop” and “Doin’ Time” from Sublime’s 1996 self-titled, six times platinum studio album. 

“Chicago!” screamed singer and guitarist Billy Corgan as Smashing Pumpkins took to the Riot stage for a special homecoming festival set following a performance by Coheed and Cambria.

The group’s setlist looked back on virtually every facet of the Smashing Pumpkins’ nearly 35 years, featuring the live debut of tracks from their latest studio album Cyr alongside a selection of rarely performed deep cuts like “Crush,” a nod in the direction of the Gish album at 30.

While storms hit across the city, Douglass Park on Chicago’s south side was largely spared, light rain falling during the band’s 100 minute set. 

“Thank you very much. Thank you,” said Corgan following “Crush.” “We’d like to take you just as far back now to the glory days – before most of you were born,” joked the singer, setting the stage for “Drown.” “You may have heard about these times.” 

Corgan playfully blew a kiss to the camera for capture on the massive video screens flanking each side of the festival’s main stage as the group made the live argument for Cyr with “Cyr” and “Wyttch” back-to-back, bringing out singer songwriter Meg Myers to guest on “Eye” later.

Putting a new spin on “Tonight, Tonight,” Corgan performed the track largely acoustic with electric embellishment from guitarists James Iha and Jeff Schroeder. 

From 1999’s Adore, “Shame” slowed things down as the group’s triumphant Chicago return neared its finish, closing with the rock cacophony that is “United States.” 

“Thank you so much, Chicago!” said Iha, as Corgan walked the stage with his son. “Riot Fest! Thank you!”