Illinois Entertainer September 2018 | Page 20

2018 Undercard Preview R iot Fest returns for its 14th year in Chicago to historical Douglas Park in Chicago (at Ogden & Ashland). From its humble beginnings in small clubs to its current incarnation as a classic punk and hip-hop celebration each Fall, Riot Fest has a connection to Chicago like no other festival. Here are some of our must-see picks for the undercard. moment of pop/emo and punk that was recorded in part at the legendary Smart Studios in Madison, Wisconsin with stal- wart producer Sean OKeefe. Kevin Devine Devine has always reminded us of an American Billy Bragg. Naturally, he fits into the Riot Fest mold as a passionate and emotive wear-your-heart-on-your-sleeve punk/emo singer/songwriter that built his following through great songwriting on his best albums Brother's Blood and The Instigator. Jerry Lee Lewis One of the godfathers of Rock N' Roll, Lewis' appearance seems like an odd choice for a mostly punk and hip-hop fes- tival, but like their Merle Haggard booking in 2015, RF's talent buyers include iconic left-of-center legacy acts in their 3-day line- up. Jerry Lee was eclipsed by the shadow of Elvis and Johnny Cash at Sun Records, but no one can deny his hillbilly baritone and the magic fingers that define his honky-tonk piano. Johnny Marr Marr co-wrote some of the most time- less pre-emo anthems with the Smiths in the '80s with fellow Riot Fest alumnus, Morrissey. Though he's partnered with The Pretenders, The The, The Kills, and Talking Heads over the years, he's come into his own as a solo artist on his new album Call The Comet, taking up the mantle as a time- ly protest singer yolked with his signature chiming guitar that has influenced a gener- ation of guitar players. Spitalfield Hard to believe Spitalfield are pushing two decades as a band. Launched in the second wave of suburban-punk emo bands that also spawned Fall Out Boy and Plain White Tees, they've been chosen to per- form their classic album Remember Right Now, which is an amazing feat, considering the band produced it during their college years. The album captured a near perfect 20 illinoisentertainer.com september 2018 The Bouncing Souls Another prototype punk-pop band of the 1990's, The Bouncing Souls put their New Jersey stamp on their brand of punk, powered by the like-minded Epitaph and Hopeless Records rosters of the Clinton- era. Like their stints in Asbury Park, Riot Fest has become a home away from home for these Garden State vets. Their 2016 album Simplicity is a reminder of the salad days of the ‘90s. Calpurnia Led by Stranger Things actor Finn Wolfhard, these Canadian indie rockers mesh C86 ramshackle indie rock of The Pastels with the more modern pop of MGMT. Like a singles band of the ‘60s they have six singles out, but no album. But it’s coming, and we can't wait! Riot Fest takes place September 14th, 15th and 16th in Douglas Park, Chicago. For complete line-up and ticket information visit riotfest.org.