Riot Fest Day Two - The Beach Boys with John Stamos, The Damned, GWAR, Militarie Gun, Helmet & More

9/20/2025

Writing by Fiza Javid
Photography by Bobby Talamine

Douglass Park - Chicago
Saturday - September 20, 2025

Haveeeee mercy!! We were feeling the Good Vibrations as we entered Day Two of Riot Fest's 20th Anniversary extravaganza!!

Getting to the Butter Stamos statue by 3PM to catch the John Stamos Lookalike Contest was vital. Capturing all the incredible acts was even more vital: Violent Vira, Militarie Gun, The Cribs, Helmet, GWAR, James, Beach Boys with John Stamos, and the Damned! Damn, what a lineup!!

All things were buzzing John Stamos as I snacked on deep fried Oreos and kept a mental count of all the Stamos references I could catch during the day. I lost count. Beyond the Stamos references and the very punk rock political T Shirts, I couldn't get enough of the wide range of performances of the day.

GWAR. What can you even say? Riot Fest wouldn’t be Riot Fest without the chaos of GWAR. Sprays of fake blood and alien theatrics painted the crowd (literally), and people walked away looking like extras from a horror flick. The sheer spectacle was equal parts hilarious and unhinged—a perfect fit for the day’s vibe. Not to mention the Trump and ICE mockery. Ain't a punk rock festival unless we speak on what matters. While we can't avoid the tumultuous times we are living in, music and performances are so important in keeping morale high and speaking for the people. The mockery is necessary, and GWAR delivered every detail of what we wanted and felt!

The Beach Boys—with John Stamos. Yes, you read that right. Stamos jumped behind the drums and smiled his way through one of the most surreal sets Riot Fest has ever hosted. Harmonies floated through the dusty air, and the crowd danced like it was 1965, even as punks in leather jackets shouted “UNCLE JESSE!” from the pit. It was bizarre, it was beautiful, it was peak Riot Fest.

The Damned closed things out with a masterclass in punk history. Their gothic, theatrical take on the genre hit like a wave of nostalgia and menace all at once. With decades under their belts, they still command a stage like few others. It was the perfect capstone for a day that spanned everything from hardcore chaos to surf-rock sunshine.

Violent Vira set the tone early with a dark but magnetic performance that pulled the crowd in. Their haunting vocals and jagged guitars felt like the soundtrack to Riot Fest’s more brooding corners. You could sense the band carving out their place among a sea of heavy hitters, and the crowd fed off that hungry energy.

Militarie Gun kept the adrenaline rolling. Their set was urgent, loud, and absolutely unrelenting. Hardcore at its most cathartic, the band had fans crashing into each other with abandon, fists in the air and sweat pouring down. They’re one of those acts that sound even better live than on record, and they left the stage to a roar.

The Cribs brought the jangly indie-punk swagger that only brothers in a band can conjure. Their set was filled with singalong choruses and scratchy guitar hooks that had longtime fans smiling ear to ear. It was pure charm—the kind of set that reminded us why UK indie bands always seem to translate so well in the Chicago air.

Helmet stormed in with their crushing riffs and precise aggression. Heavy, groovy, and tight as ever, Helmet’s set was a brutal reminder of their legacy in shaping alternative metal. The pit was a swirling storm, and anyone who came for the heavy stuff walked away more than satisfied.

James offered one of the most surprising turns of the afternoon. Their soaring, melodic alt-rock felt like a cool breeze amid the chaos. Tracks like Laid had the whole field singing along, proving that Riot Fest isn’t just about distortion and breakdowns—it’s about those transcendent moments too.

Day Two was Riot Fest in its purest form: unpredictable, messy, emotional, and unforgettable.

And the best part? We’re only halfway through. With Day Three promising even more legends, surprises, and mayhem, the only thing left to say is: Riot Fest, have mercy on us—we’re not ready, but we’ll be there.

Fiza Javid - JBTV Music Television

Helmet, Militarie Gun, Violent Vira, GWAR, The Damned, John Stamos, The Beach Boys, Butter Stamos, Full House, Bobby Talamine, Fiza Javid, Jerry Bryant, JBTV Music Television, Riot Fest 2025

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THE JBTV BLOG

Riot Fest Day Two - The Beach Boys with John Stamos, The Damned, GWAR, Militarie Gun, Helmet & More

Helmet, Militarie Gun, Violent Vira, GWAR, The Damned, John Stamos, The Beach Boys, Butter Stamos, Full House, Bobby Talamine, Fiza Javid, Jerry Bryant, JBTV Music Television, Riot Fest 2025

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