Riot Fest leaves Chicago, heads to suburbs
This will be the first year Riot Fest won't be in Chicago. For the first time in Riot Fest's almost 20-year history, the music festival is leaving Chicago, moving from Douglass Park to SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview. Organizers blame the Chicago Park District for delaying permit processing for the event, blaming the district's lack of care for the community. Ald. Monique Scott (24th) also blamed the park district for taking too long with permit processing. The park district responded by saying it followed the usual permit processing process for festivals and that community voices are critical to the decision-making process. The festival will also change its name to RiotLand and create a more carnival atmosphere around the music stages. The headliners will include Beck, Public Enemy, NOFX, St. Vincent and Sublime.
Published : 10 months ago by Justin Kaufmann in Entertainment
For the first time in its almost 20 year history, Riot Fest is leaving Chicago. The big picture: Riot Fest organizers, placing the blame on the Chicago Park District, is leaving Douglass Park for SeatGeek Stadium in the southwest suburb of Bridgeview.
What they're saying: "Allow me to be as clear as the azure sky of the deepest summer — our exodus is solely because of the Chicago Park District," co-owner Mike Petrynshyn said in a video statement.
• "Their lack of care for the community, you and us, ultimately left us no choice."
The intrigue: Ald. Monique Scott (24th) also blamed the park district for taking so long with the permit processing. She says past permits were approved in April, but this year it didn't happen until early June.
• "This unnecessary and inappropriate delay in the process, among many other issues, has led to critical setbacks," Scott said in a statement.
The other side: In a statement, the Chicago Park District says it followed the usual permit processing for festivals.
• "The Chicago Park District has worked tirelessly to strike a balance between community interests and our special events organizers. Community voices are critical to our decision-making process, which is why a comprehensive community engagement process is a necessary component in evaluating a permit application."
Yes, but: The park district also says this is the first year it is requiring producers to give back a portion of event revenue to the parks, on top of any park restoration fees.
Reality check: Riot Fest organizers and Scott both cited the popular music festival's ongoing commitment to the community surrounding the West Side park, but some residents have complained about the noise, traffic and trash the festival causes.
• Scott says those residents don't speak for the 24th ward, and the festival already gives a portion of its revenue back to the neighborhood for initiatives and park programs.
Flashback: Riot Fest started in 2005 and played at various venues before landing in Humboldt Park, but it outgrew that space quickly.
• It moved to the larger Douglass Park in 2015.
State of play: The festival will also change its name, now branding itself "RiotLand," and create a more carnival atmosphere around the music stages.
• This year, the festival headliners will be Beck, Public Enemy, NOFX, St. Vincent and Sublime.
What's next: The festival will take place Sept. 20-22.