We made your Riot Fest schedule for you

Friday

12:45 p.m.

Diarrhea Planet at Rock stage

Nashville’s Diarrhea Planet has always felt like what would happen if Thin Lizzy or Van Halen had tried-and-true DIY roots and still played basement shows. With their recent full-length “Turn To Gold” balancing four-guitar arena rock with scrappy punk rock, few things will be more welcome than their all-out celebration-of-everything-rock-‘n’-roll live show.

2:00 p.m.

Dillinger Escape Plan at Rise stage

While originally we thought The Dillinger Escape Plan’s plan to take an “extended hiatus” after this tour was going to be just a break, frontman Greg Puciato told Metal Injection that it’s actually a full-on breakup. That’s a bummer because this iconic hardcore outfit has had a career of loud and interesting albums and an absolutely wild live show. It’s also going to be a bummer to miss Worriers, who are playing Rebel stage, but you can’t miss this iconic group going out on a dissonant but high note.

2:45 p.m.

GWAR at Rock stage

Hilary Higgins for RedEye

Riot Fest and GWAR go hand in hand like Old Style and Malort. When in Rome, right?

3:10 p.m.

Meat Puppets at Roots stage

If you’re younger than 30, you probably came across Arizona’s Meat Puppets because they inspired your favorite band. Without the Kirkwood brothers, Nirvana, Soundgarden and Pavement would all sound different—and not for the better. With this afternoon slot at Riot Fest, it’s not a “respect the gatekeepers” inclusion. Instead, these songs still sound fresh and innovative in 2016. Start with 1984’s “II” and branch out.

4:00 p.m.

Eskimeaux at Rebel stage

There’s something so welcoming about Gabrielle Smith’s voice. While full of anxiety, indecision and awkwardness (“What the fuck is a kiss anyway?/What the fuck is this feeling?” she sings on the aptly titled “WTF”), the songs she writes as Eskimeaux are always hopeful and light. She makes tracks intimate and revealing enough to feel like they came straight from her bedroom or diary, and live, she can translate that openness to a captivating festival set.

4:30 p.m.

Laura Stevenson at Storyheart stage

Since her days as the keyboardist for Bomb the Music Industry!, everything Stevenson’s done has been good. Her latest solo effort, “Cocksure,” which was produced by her former BTMI bandmate Jeff Rosenstock, has some incredibly peppy power-pop that’ll stick with you for a long while.

6:05 p.m.

Jimmy Eat World at Riot stage

Do I really need to explain why the veteran band responsible for “Bleed American,” “The Middle” and “Pain” needs to be seen? I’m so happy they’re back.

7:00 p.m.

Violent Soho at Rebel stage

Australia’s Violent Soho are the right kind of loud. Combining the best of grunge with some killer riffs and songwriters, they’re one of the biggest bands in their home country (their last album, “Waco,” went No. 1 there this year). Come see what the hype across the globe is for this act.

7:20 p.m.

Refused at Rock stage

With just an album as ambitious and career-defining as “The Shape of Punk to Come,” which was released in 1998 and the band’s last album before a long hiatus, these Swedish punks would forever be an act you won’t want to ever miss at Riot Fest. Thankfully, the band has reunited and, last year, released its first album in 17 years, “Freedom.” While it’s not the same earth-shattering opus as its predecessor, it’s damn good.

8:45 p.m.

The Flaming Lips at Riot stage

Getty Images

Besides “The Soft Bulletin,” I can’t stand The Flaming Lips, whose live show to me feels like the aural version of puking up pot brownies accidentally cooked with glitter and glowsticks. My friends think I’m crazy and irrational for that opinion, so I’m going to give them another chance.

Back to top

Saturday

12:30 p.m.

Donna Missal at Rise stage

There’s not really another artist like Missal on the Riot Fest bill. If you dig synth-heavy pop music, this newcomer’s set will be your jam.

1:05 p.m.

Fucked Up at Rock stage

Canada’s Fucked Up has been stretching the boundaries of punk for well over a decade. If you haven’t heard it in a while, I’d put on their 2011 opus “David Comes to Life” for another spin. Then after that, subscribe to frontman Damian Abraham’s excellent podcast “Turned Out a Punk.”

2:00 p.m.

Nots at Rebel stage

Memphis, Tenn., noise-punks Nots make music as unsettling as it is caustic. Recommended for fans of both ’70s no wave and ’90s riot grrrl punk.

2:45 p.m.

Denzel Curry at Rise stage

Getty Images

One of the recent inductees for XXL’s Freshman list surveying the next rising rappers about to blow up, Florida’s Denzel Curry seems especially primed to make some noise at this year’s Riot Fest.

3:20 p.m.

The Hold Steady at Rock stage

More Top Picks Wearable Breast Pumps

Getty Images

It’s the 10-year anniversary of The Hold Steady’s “Boys and Girls in America,” so Craig Finn and Co. will be playing it in full at Riot Fest. The third album from the band bred in Twin Cities, Minn., was boozy, heartfelt and introspective, following around the songs’ characters, who get drunk, have doubts and think about better days. While I may prefer their second effort, “Separation Sunday,” there’s no way I’m not going to scream along to every one of Finn’s words during the set.

OR

3:30 p.m.

Microwave at Storyheart stage

Signed to SideOneDummy (home to RedEye favorites like PUP, Jeff Rosenstock, Meat Wave and Rozwell Kid), Georgia’s Microwave is the label’s latest newcomer poised to really impress this year. Judging by new song “Vomit,” which showcases some excellent songwriting growth from their earlier efforts, they’re more than ready to do just that.

4:15 p.m.

Bob Mould at Riot stage

Known for his iconic rock bands Husker Du and Sugar, Bob Mould’s trailblazing live shows have been must-sees since he started his career. He’s got a near-unmatched discography, and judging from his excellent set at Riot Fest 2013, he’ll make some more noise this year, too.

OR

4:30 p.m.

The Walters at Storyheart stage

Want to find your new favorite Chicago band? The Walters’ sunny and stoned pop will charm your pants off.

5:30 p.m.

GZA at Rise stage

“Liquid Swords” is by far my favorite solo album from a Wu-Tang Clan member, and, by default, I guess that makes GZA my favorite Wu-Tang Clan member. While Riot Fest is flush with rising rap talents like Joey Bada$$ and Denzel Curry, it’s great to see them bring on the veterans too.

6:15 p.m.

Brand New at Riot stage

I’m a terrible Brand New fan with the fact that the only album of theirs that I ever really listen to is “The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me” (please don’t @ me about “Your Favorite Weapon”). That said, live, the band always brings it, and with the band rumored to break up in 2018 (thanks for giving us a heads-up, Jesse Lacey!), it’ll be an extra special set.

7:15 p.m.

Death Cab For Cutie at Roots stage

Getty Images

Don’t even pretend you wouldn’t want to see what songs Ben Gibbard picks for this festival set.

OR

7:30 p.m.

White Lung at Storyheart stage

Mish Way, the L.A.-based frontwoman of this Vancouver punk-turned-brooding pop band, is an absolutely magnetic performer and a cutting songwriter. “Paradise,” White Lung’s most recent album, is such an incredible sonic leap.

8:15 p.m.

Morrissey at Riot stage

Getty Images

I’ve got $60 riding on Morrissey, the infamously cancel-happy music legend, not showing up to the festival. I hope I lose money.

Back to top

Sunday

12:15 p.m.

Bleached at Rock stage

This L.A. garage-pop group really came into their own on this year’s “Welcome the Worms,” which had ample doses of fuzz and candy-coated pop hooks.

1:10 p.m.

The Falcon at Roots stage

One of the most fun local records of the year was the Falcon’s triumphant comeback, “Gather Up The Chaps.” The band’s fronted by Brendan Kelly (of The Lawrence Arms and of @Nihilist_Arbys fame), whose throaty snarl imbues humor and a healthy amount of scuzz through rippers like “Hasselhoff Cheeseburger” and “The Fighter, The Rube, The Asshole.” Plus, if you’re unfamiliar with the Falcon, Kelly’s backed by TLA’s Neil Hennessey, Alkaline Trio’s Dan Andriano and the Loved Ones’ Dave Hause.

2:00 p.m.

All Dogs at Rebel stage

I’ve written several times about how much I appreciate Columbus, Ohio, indie rockers All Dogs’ latest album, “Kicking Every Day,” so I’m just going to reiterate that if, like me, you missed their headlining gig at Subterranean earlier this year, you’ll want to make up for it this weekend.

3:00 p.m.

Big Ups at Rebel stage

In 2013, no song felt more like a triple shot of espresso in my mornings than Big Ups’ frenetic and fucking awesome track “Goes Black.” I credit that track’s incredible energy for motivating me to get out of bed and get things done. Signed to one my favorite labels in Exploding In Sound, they’ve continued to consistently release cathartically raucous tracks like the ones populating 2016’s “Before A Million Universes.”

4:00 p.m.

Thursday at Roots stage

One look at the Riot Fest lineup for the past few years shows that pretty much everyone is reuniting. In most cases, that’s a good thing, and in Thursday’s case, it’s a great thing. Few bands have a discography that not just holds up in 2016 but also feels like it was ahead of this time. Die-hard fans of the New Jersey post-hardcore outfit might yell at me online for saying this, but it’s especially the case with their later work, like “A City by the Light Divided.” I can’t wait to watch frontman Geoff Rickly swing the microphone again.

5:00 p.m.

The Julie Ruin at Rock stage

Kathleen Hanna is a certified legend as a pioneer of the riot grrrl movement as frontwoman of Bikini Kill. With Julie Ruin, her performances are equally electric and inviting. Girls to the front for this set.

OR

5:15 p.m.

Joey Bada$$ at Rise stage

Getty Images

New York rapper Joey Bada$$ has been great this season as the “Seinfeld”-loving friend of “Mr. Robot” protagonist Elliot Alderson. But while his recent TV stint has nothing to do with his music, he’s a tried-and-true performer, channeling ’90s East Coast rap into something distinctly of this decade. With so much punk on the bill, a rap show is always going to be the pick.

6:00 p.m.

Hard Girls at Rebel stage

More Top Picks Worx 13 Amp 1500 Psi Electric Pressure Washer

“Guadalupe on the Banks of the Styx,” the most recent single from this hardworking, hard-touring trio, is by far their best yet. I can’t wait until they announce a new album.

7:00 p.m.

The Dirty Nil at Rebel stage

If you’ve never heard of Canada’s The Dirty Nil, see them live and you’ll think they’re the biggest rock band in the world. They should be because they make turbo-charged, Replacements-channeling punk look like a damn cakewalk. If you’re not into Deftones, who are great and set to play at 6:35 p.m. on the Riot stage, you should really consider checking out this trio.

7:40 p.m.

Sleater-Kinney at Rock stage

Brian Nguyen / baiduhai

Sleater-Kinney absolutely killed it at Pitchfork last year, and there’s absolutely no reason Carrie Brownstein, Corin Tucker and Janet Weiss won’t do the same at Riot Fest. My favorite headliner of the weekend, hands down.

8:00 p.m.

The So So Glos at Rebel stage

If when you hear the words “Shea Stadium,” you think about a great Brooklyn all-ages rock venue first instead of the Mets’ former home, congrats, I’ll see you at the So So Glos show. These New York DIY mainstays started that inclusive venue a few years back and have won over more lovers of punk than most, one power chord at a time.

8:40 p.m.

The Original Misfits at Riot stage

When I wrote about the “7 toughest scheduling decisions at Riot Fest,” I wrote that seeing the Original Misfits versus going home or to the bar was among them. Not surprisingly, that didn’t go over very well. Sorry! I included them in this article so you die-hards have validation.

Back to top