9 more Riot Fest acts to see
FRIDAY
K.Flay
Also from the North Shore suburbs of Chicago, this genre-bending songwriter cites Phair as an influence — along with Missy Elliott, Garbage and Outkast. K.Flay’s sound is satisfyingly indescribable with a mix of alt rock, hip-hop and electro delivered by a bonafide wordsmith.
The Fever 333
With a mix of Rage Against the Machine’s intensity and N.W.A.’s rally cry, this California trio refers to its sets as demonstrations, using the stage to expose the inequities of racism, sexism, and xenophobia — and asking for a revolution.
Pussy Riot
A welcome Russian interference. The outspoken collective Pussy Riot continues to disrupt Putin’s agenda with exposés of his corruption. Many of the members — all women — have been arrested over the years but it’s deterred them no less, making them some of the truest rockstars of the weekend. SATURDAY
The Jesus Lizard
Heavy-handed noise rock and maniacal performance art are the coup d’etat of this ball-busting quartet, part of Chicago’s indie nexus in the early ‘90s. Though they’ve had considerable stops and starts, it’s just like old times when they get back together — frontman David Yow naked and bloody and the proficient instrumentalists leaving a welcome ringing in your ears.
Jerry Lee Lewis
The Sun Records boogie-woogie king outlived Million Dollar pals Elvis and Johnny Cash, and it will be a wonder to see if the 82-year-old still can keep a quick step on the piano for early rock ‘n’ roll gems like “Great Balls of Fire.”
The Voidz
If you recognize the frontman of this experimental rock troupe, that’s because it’s Julian Casablancas from the Strokes, the 2000-era wonder kids who helped rebirth garage rock. The Voidz take it a step further with psychedelia, disco, new wave and other retro flair performed like classic masters. SUNDAY
Alkaline Trio
With Blink-182 forced to bow out of their headlining spot (drummer Travis Barker unfortunately continues to deal with health issues), Alkaline Trio provides punk kinship. Frontman Matt Skiba double times in both bands but AT is the homegrown Chicago act where he first honed his songwriting chops.
Suicidal Tendencies
The thrash-punk rebels recently added former Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo its tribe, who revs up a thundering foundation to complement the band’s breakneck speed. Score some apparel and shoes from a new collaboration with Converse for your festival wear, too.
Blondie
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Blondie’s seminal album “Parallel Lines,” so expect some of the new wave mothership’s greatest hits like “Heart of Glass” and “One Way or Another” that still sound like an echo chamber of the ‘70s New York underground.