PREVIEW: Riot Fest 2023 — EMMIE MAGAZINE

By: Arthur Machado and camila trimberger-ruiz

With Hot Topics overflowing with Funko Pops, MTV airing Love Island reruns non-stop and Warped Tour coming to an end it's easy to say emo is dead. This weekend Riot Fest is bringing fans and artists of all waves of emo to Douglass Park. The 2023 line-up is filled with bands from all genres under the emo wing, from the classic pop-punk and hardcore to the experimental in hyperpop and post-rock. Do your homework and check out EMMIE's picks for the best bands to mosh to this weekend:

Friday Highlights:

Origami angel

FFO: Weezer, Motion City Soundtrack, Equipment, Mom Jeans, Honey Creek

Must-listens: "Second Best Friend" "Noah Fence," the entirety of Somewhere City

Set Time: 12:50pm-1:20pm, Radical Stage

Every so often an album can be so groundbreaking it defines an entire generation of emo. Albums like American Football LP1, My Chemical Romance's Black Parade and Sunny Day Real Estate's Diary are all part of this emo Mount Rushmore. Origami Angel's debut LP Somewhere City is indisputably inducted into the emo canon, shaping the emo scene in the 2020s. The DC duo (therefore being objectively "real emo" as per the infamous copypasta) combines pop-punk sensibilities, math rock's signature "twinkly guitar" and frontperson Ryland Heagy's rose-colored lyricism into the happiest emo you've ever heard. Be it classics like "Ruby'' and "Bossa Nova Corps" or their last summer themed mixtape The Brightest Days, Gami Gang's set is certain to leave you with a smile on your face as they continue to challenge the "emo = sad" stereotype. — AM

FEA

FFO: Bratmobile, The Linda Linda’s, Dazey and the Scouts, No Doubt, The Stinkeyes

Must-listens: “Ya Se,” “Mujer Moderna,” “Don’t Dictate”

Set Time: 12pm-12:30pm, Rebel Stage

San Antonio-based Fea, is at the forefront of keeping riotgrrrl alive in the 21st century. With bilingual lyrics about surviving catholic school, combating cultural norms and fighting white feminism, Fea stands out in a sea of bland punk-rock politics. Despite a short discography, the band is incredibly established within the scene, from being signed to Joan Jett's Blackheart Records, having their albums produced by Alice Bag and even shout-outs from Iggy Pop. If you’re perhaps a Chicano emo that latched onto Pierce the Veil when you were in middle school looking for a set to kick off Latine Heritage Month, or just a fan of the riotgrrrl sound, Fea is here to save the day. — CT

Pinkshift

FFO: Gully Boys, VIAL, Mannequin Pussy, Babes in Toyland, Lunar Moth

Must-listens: "i'm not crying you're crying," "nothing (in my head)," "to me"

Set Time: 12:50pm-1:20pm, Rise Stage

In an age of WILLOWs and Olivia Rodrigos it's nearly impossible to not mention the influence that Paramore's Riot! had on femme fronted pop punk, including Pinkshift. They got their start through the break-out hit "i'm gonna tell my therapist on you" exploded in popularity during the pandemic and the Baltimore group has been honing their sound since. What started off as an offshoot of the wave of Babes In Toyland/Paramore inspired pop punk, now incorporates influences from hardcore, alt-rock and even thrash. Their debut album Love Me Forever showcased the sheer musical range the group has, all punctuated by Ashrita Kumar's commanding vocals. Above all, Pinkshift maintains their DIY roots to this day, with fans being able to catch them playing a basement gig in Milwaukee the same weekend as they're sharing a stage with their emo elders. — AM

Yard Act

FFO: IDLES, Squid, Black Country, New Road, Franz Ferdinand, The Present Age

Must-listens: "Payday," "Dead Horse," "The Overload"

Set Time: 2:25pm-3:00pm, Riot Stage

Yard Act is the quintessential post-punk band. Tongue-in-cheek lyrics reflecting on the effects of capitalism, punchy bass lines and the signature deadpan delivery. The Leeds act quickly became Britain's new indie darlings. Their sound is more polished than their scruffy Windmill counterparts in Black Midi and Black Country, New Road, but the existentialist ethos is the same. Greed, war and materialism are the main muses to vocalist James Smith's cynical persona, and his worldviews are shared in a backdrop of classical new wave inspired dance instrumentation. Be sure to catch Yard Act, the ambassadors of the British post-punk revival, taking the sounds of Northern England to the American Midwest. — AM

Say Anything

FFO: The Academy Is…, Owl City, Fall Out Boy, The Story So Far, Dear Mr. Watterson

Must-listens: “Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too,” “Do Better,” “Psyche!”

Set Time: 6pm-7pm, Radical Stage

It’s easy to chalk up Say Anything’s explosive success with …Is a Real Boy to either dumb luck or a deal with the devil. The album's sarcastic lyrics paired with intoxicating pop-punk riffs has made nearly every track iconic. Whether it's through still having the “Admit It!!!” monologue memorized all these years later or middle school sexual awakenings to “Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too” this album is seared into the minds of thousands. I’m glad I own this album on CD because if I had to stream it my scrobbles would be worrying. After a brief hiatus, Say Anything is performing again for the first time in almost four years. The band's two new singles, “Psyche!” and “Are You (In) There?” are a return to …Is A Real Boys ironic sincerity. — CT

SATURDAY HIghlights:

Pool Kids

FFO: Sweet Pill, Beach Bunny, Paramore, Charmer, BUG MOMENT

Must-listens: "They Only Care About My Fills and Not My Feels" "That's Physics, Baby," "Arm's Length"

Set Time: 12:10pm-12:40pm, Riot Stage

I'm not sure what's in the Florida swamps, but since the 90s so many classic emo bands got their start in the Florida scene. The third wave of emo had Dashboard Confessional; the fourth wave had Glocca Morra and Dikembe; and Pool Kids now perfectly represents the state in emo's fifth wave. The band lowers the barriers of entry to the fifth wave In their sound. Carrying over the signature 'noodly' riffs and midwest emo sensibilities from their peers into the accessible realm of emo-pop. With a hefty portfolio of touring partners under their belt, with bands like Origami Angel, Joyce Manor and La Dispute, and the mentorship of Paramore's Hayley Williams the band sits on the edge of emo stardom, defining the sound of the scene's new generation. — AM

100 gecs

FFO: underscores, Fraxiom, Dorian Electra, Frost Children, SOUND BANDIT

Must-listens: "hand crushed by a mallet," "Dumbest Girl Alive," "ringtone (Remix)"

Set Time: 7pm-8pm, Radical Stage

Few artists have redefined mainstream success to the extent the gecs did. The duo helped launch hyperpop to the forefront of quarantine playlists and both Dylan Brady and Laura Les were pioneering the genre long-before the age of Tiktok. Combining elements from electropop, bubblegum bass and surprisingly ska the chaotic duo demands your attention through all their tracks. Their much anticipated sophomore release 10,000 gecs came out earlier this year and further cemented Les and Brady as the true faces of hyperpop. During Riot Fest, the gecs will be playing on their home turf, only a 35 minute drive from the infamous tree in the cover of 1000 gecs; you already know we'll be making the pilgrimage on our way back from the festival. — AM

DEATH GRIPS

FFO: JPEGMAFIA, clipping., Lil Ugly Mane, Danny Brown, BIG DAWG AL

Must-listens: "On GP," "Hacker," "I've Seen Footage,"

Set Time: 5:45pm-6:45pm, Roots Stage

You already know freshmen Anthony Fantano fans are decorating their brand new dorm rooms with a poster of the iconic cover art of Death Grips's The Money Store. The experimental hip hop trio has honed in the perfect synergy between Zach Hill's technical drumming, Andy Morin's inventive production palette and of course, MC Ride's overly aggressive vocal delivery. If JPEGMAFIA is "scaring the hoes," MC Ride is scaring JPEG. Their songs are layer upon layer of chaos, with each member carefully orchestrating how they'll hijack your attention next. Following an extended break, the hype couldn't be more real for Death Grips. We're overdue for the emotional catharsis of one of the most abrasive performances of the fest. — AM

INSANE CLOWN POSSE

FFO: Clown Core, Cypress Hill, Tech N9ne, Esham, DJ Violent Slop Beast Mode 2 Dope

Must-listens: "Cemetery Girl," "In My Room," "Nothing's Left"

Set Time: 8:30pm-9:30pm, Rebel Stage

Whoop whoop! — AM

DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE

FFO: Dashboard Confessional, Modest Mouse, The Decemberists, The Postal Service, Able Baker

Must-listens: “Company Calls,” “I Will Follow You into the Dark,” Transatlanticism

Set Time: 6:50pm-7:50pm Riot Stage
Sometimes you’re a 17-year-old girl with bangs and you mention to a boy that you’ve never really listened to Death Cab for Cutie so he sends you a playlist called “Death Cab for Camila,” (your name is Camila in this scenario). The playlist is all of Transatlanticism with “I Will Follow You into the Dark” tacked onto the end. You don’t really like the boy (don’t worry, it’s March 2020) but you do learn why this album continues to be lauded by critics as being one of the most important releases of the early 2000s. Transatlanticism bridges emo and indie-rock at a time when both of the genres were exploding into mainstream popularity, maintaining the interest of emo fans while luring in hipsters, what's not to love? Show up to the album play to witness a piece of music history. — CT

Sunday HighlightS:

FREE THROW

FFO: Hot Mulligan, Michael Cera Palin, Algernon Cadwallader, Joyce Manor, Tiny Voices

Must-listens: “Two Beers In,” “Randy, I Am The Liquor” “Spacer’s Choice”

Set Time: 12pm-12:30pm, Radical Stage

Nashville five-piece Free Throw secured their spot as a midwest emo essential with the release of their 2014 album, Those Days are Gone. With Cory Castro’s gritty vocals singing lyrics about substances and hating your ex, Free Throw sounds like a band that should have been on the Clone High reboot soundtrack had the show kept up with showcasing emo gems. Their latest single, “Spacer’s Choice,” comes ahead of their fifth album, Lessons That We Swear to Keep. It's the band's first album with drummer Zach Hall since Those Days are Gone. After Riot Fest, Free Throw is diving straight into a tour with Charmer and Prince Daddy & the Hyena, with a stop in Madison in early November. — CT

HOTLINE TNT

FFO: Momma, Teenage Fanclub, Horsegirl, waveform*, Tollbooth

Must-listens: “Protocol,” “I Thought You’d Change,” “Tie-Dye”

Set Time: 12:05pm-12:35pm, Riot Stage

Originally only found on physical media or the Youtube channel, “Flip Sandy,” Hotline TNT is the latest shoegaze/noise-rock project from Will Anderson. It’s nearly impossible to find a shoegaze review that doesn’t use the word fuzzy as a descriptor at least once, so here are three other adjectives to describe Hotline TNT: warm, crunchy, romantic. While the band isn’t doing much to defy genre expectations, something about Hotline TNT draws you in. I was introduced to them when they opened for Snail Mail at The Majestic; their energy was infectious. The crowd moshed the entire time, which was impressive for a first opener, only stopping for when Anderson requested we sing happy birthday to his guitarist. With the hype for their new album building now that they signed to Third Man Records, their Riot Fest set is one you can’t miss. — CT

THURSDAY

FFO: Finch, The Get Up Kids, Jets to Brazil, Rainer Maria, Jawbreaker, Garden Home

Must-listens: “Understanding In A Car Crash,” “War All The TIme,” “Counting 5-4-3-2-1”

Set Time: 1:40pm-2:30pm, Radical Stage

I still have yet to read Chris Payne’s, “Where Are Your Boys Tonight?” so I’m not sure exactly what was happening in New Jersey in the late 90s and early 2000s. Whatever it was, the garden state is the heart of emo’s third wave. Thursday was on the forefront with their first two albums, Full Collapse and War All the Time. Distorted and heavy with post-hardcore influences, Thursday’s popularity helped push emo into popularity. Though they haven’t released new music in over ten years, Geoff Rickly and his bandmates have been busy touring with My Chemical Romance, writing books, and prepping for their third year of Riot Fest. — CT

LS DUNES

FFO: Sweet Pill, Slint, Unwound, Sunny Day Real Estate, Kule

Must-listens: “Benadryl Subreddit,” “Permanent Rebellion,” “Old Wounds”

Set Time: 4:05pm-4:50pm, Radical Stage

L.S. Dunes is what happens when you superscore some of emo’s most prominent and assign them to hang out and create a post-hardcore group. You can feel the passion radiating from all five members. They’ve been playing some of the same songs for over 20 years with the bands they’re most known for, so L.S Dunes is a perfect excuse to get on stage, let loose and also chill with your boys. No two tracks sound exactly alike, for major fans of the member’s main projects it can be easy to pinpoint which song is influenced by whose taste. Whether you’re drawn in from the members alone or the heavier sound, L.S. Dunes is going to have fun. — CT

Fleshwater

FFO: Deftones, Title Fight, Narrowhead, They Are Gutting a Body of Water, Interlay

Must-listens: "Linda Claire," "This, if Anything," "The Razor's Apple"

Set Time: 3:05pm-3:45pm, Rebel Stage

What started as a side project of Massachusetts' hardcore darlings Vein.fm quickly became a powerhouse in the Alt-Metal scene. Fleshwater carries the torch lit by early 2000s alt-metal icons like Deftones, Evanescence and Hum and incorporates the signature shoegaze soundscapes into the hardcore instrumentation. Singer Marisa Sharir's powerful vocals cuts through the wall-of-sound reverb-heavy instrumentation transforming anthemic tracks like "Kiss the Ladder" and "Enjoy" in requirements for any nu-gaze playlist. Fleshwater is a must-listen for pedalboard aficionados and Y2k shawties alike. — AM

Be sure to check out our full playlist of recs on our Spotify. Stay tuned for interviews and Riot Fest updates on our website and social media.