Riot Fest organizers tease new name, location ahead of lineup announcement

CHICAGO — Big changes could be coming to Riot Fest this year.

The event’s co-founder Mike Petryshyn, also known as “Riot Mike,” shared a statement on Tuesday afternoon that said the event would be leaving Douglas Park.

In the statement, the event organizer blamed the decision on the Chicago Parks District.

“Riot Fest will be leaving Douglass Park. And—allow me to be as clear as the azure sky of the deepest summer—our exodus is solely because of the Chicago Park District,” Petryshyn said. “Their lack of care for the community, you, and us, ultimately left us no choice.”

However, according to the statement, the event will be taking on new life in a different location under the name “RiotLand.”

“Though our curtains may have closed in Douglass Park, another one has opened. It’s called RiotLand. It’s something like you’ve never seen before. And it’s far overdue,” Petryshyn said.

According to the statement, details about RiotLand, including the lineup and location will be unveiled on Wednesday morning on the Riot Fest website.

At 10 a.m. organizers will unveil specifics about the new event and at 11 a.m. the 2024 lineup will be announced.

The annual three-day festival brings punk rock to Douglass Park, but the event has been met with some criticism from residents around the park.