Riot Fest 2022 Day One: ls Dunes, Pale Waves, Anberlin, Taking Back Sunday, Portugal the Man, & My Chemical Romance

Anthony Green of LS Dunes - Bobby Talamine (c) 2022

Pale Waves - Bobby Talamine (c) 2022

Photography by Bobby Talamine
Writing and Editing by Fiza Javid

Friday, September 16, 2022 - Douglass Park

When fall begins to kick in, Chicago knows its rock n roll season. The sun was shining and the MCR fans lines the outer entrances of the festival.

That feeling alone couldn't have been more exciting. Anticipating their return while catching one of the best lineups to date.

First up we had Pale Waves, who began with "Lies", and their charisma and fan base never disappoints. "Television Romance" truly got the crowd going. Their natural goth vibes along with their immersive sound was a a delight, but hands down they deserve a headlining show. 

Holy Fawn rocked to "Death Stone" and "Death is a Relief" and also put on a killer show.

There was genuine anticipation for LS Dunes. The post-hardcore supergroup consisting of members from My Chemical Romance, Coheed and Cambria, Thursday and Circa Survive. With their debut album called "Past Lives" being announced today, Chicago truly got a one in a million opportunity.

This season has definitely been a season of debut supergroups, with the band 3rd Secret featuring members from Nirvana, Soundgarden and Pearl Jam coming into the rock scene completely independent, and to imagine a new era of LS Dunes and 3rd Secret is just the moment the industry has been waiting for, and LS Dunes had everyone enamored. Their songs "Bombsquad" "Like Forever" and "2022" were powerful. Their particular electric sound, pounding drums and groovy bass lines are a force to be reckoned with. Anthony Green's vocals were truly electric, and "Permanent Rebellion" was a screaming master piece.

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Pale Waves - Bobby Talamine (c) 2022

LS Dunes - Bobby Talamine (c) 2022

Lucky Boys Confusion - Bobby Talamine (c) 2022

Anthony Green of LS Dunes - Bobby Talamine (c) 2022

More notable acts included: Lucky Boys Confusion, Anberlin, Algiers, Rocket from the Crypt, before we were off to the evening shows. Portugal, the Man, Alkaline Trio, Taking Back Sunday and Marky Ramone's Blitkreig was also in the midst and it was like being a kid in a rock music themed candy store.

Anberlin never disappoints, ever. "Godspeed" hits you like a drag race, and the way they bring it into "Feel Good Drag" just goes to show how dynamic and timeless they remain.

Portugal, the Man did a cover of "In Bloom" by Nirvana which left everyone over joyed and speechless. It is always great to hear their hits "Modern Jesus" and "Feel is Still" but their showmanship alone and personality has a way of sucking everyone in like a magnet. The crowd was beaming.

Anberlin - Bobby Talamine (c) 2022

Algiers - Bobby Talamine (c) 2022

Taking Back Sunday - Bobby Talamine (c) 2022

Portugal, the Man - Bobby Talamine (c) 2022

Last but never least, My Chemical Romance truly put on the show of a life time. Opening with their recent release "The Foundations of Decay" was phenomenal, but I have never seen a crowd of tears before today. Fans traveled from California, London and many more distances for this moment, and when Gerard way stepped out beaming in a dress, head scarf and sunglasses, we couldn't believe it was him. But the moment he takes the mic and his animated charisma kicks in, you know there could never be a front man like him.

30 somethings like me who grew up waiting for this moment, it was incredible to look around and watch a crowd sing along to "Helena," "Ghost of You," "Teenagers," "Black Parade" and truly just immerse themselves in a once in a lifetime moment. 

The security was pouring water all over the front row, and beyond the music, Gerard did a fantastic job instilling safety into the audience by encouraging everyone to move back and give each other enough space to have a good time. But thanks to MCR and all the incredible acts, that is truly what happened.

​Is this only day one? Pinch me.

Until tomorrow!

Fiza Javid - JBTV Music Television