Hey Reddit! We're the team behind Riot Fest, a three city music festival in Denver, Chicago, and Toronto. Ask us anything!

Why did you schedule all my favorite bands at the same time?

Cause I hate you.

Thanks

We upvote you.

how do you feel about the move to douglas park? the politics targeting your festival have been disgusting this year.

Wait, we moved to Douglas Park?

We agree, politics are disgusting.

Will Malort ever become available at the fest? This only seems logical.

Riot Twitter Guy: This question leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

On a scale of one to John Stamos, how awesome do you predict RF 2015 in Chicago is going to be? Also, you used a picture of me in a recent Instagram post and that was awesome. See you in September!

Riot Mike: I give it a good six and a half.

Riot Twitter Guy: We'll fuck it up somehow.

Hey,

Whats your guys opinion on The Fest (http://thefestfl.com/) in Gainesville and do you guys ever attended it?

Riot Mike: The fest is awesome. Tony does an excellent job. We've had Naked Raygun play the fest a couple of times. It's an important festival and he outdoes himself every year.

Seeing the map of Chicago's fest this year, along with driving through the park regularly, it is going to be significantly smaller than last year, how are you going to deal with sound bleeding from one stage to another, especially with the increase in hip hop acts and the louder bass frequencies that hip hop uses? Like I'm seriously convinced that no matter what headliner I see on Friday I'll be hearing Ice Cube.

Riot Mike: The footprint in Douglas Park has actually more useable square feet than Humboldt did. When it comes to sound bleed, we've been doing our testing for weeks now, and we're pretty certain we have it covered.

Aside from John Stamos, what act would you most like to get for RiotFest in the future?

Riot Mike: Jawbreaker.

When are we going to get a Riot Fest Cruise?

Riot Mike: Umm...

Riot Twitter Guy: Do you have a boat we can borrow?

[deleted]

Riot Mike: Two dicks per beer

I'm not here to get greedy and ask you for the 2016 lineup, but could you leak one band?

Riot Mike: Gwar.

Any survival tips for attending Riot Fest while 9 months pregnant?

Riot Fest Twitter: Any babies born at the festival will become property of Riot Fest.

Does that mean I have free admission?

Riot Mike: Ask me if I'm an orange.

I'm going to the Denver iteration for the first time this year! Are there any indoor stages or are they all outside? I'm nervous about the rain chances. I was at Chicago last year and will never forget the mud 😐.

Riot Twitter Guy: The Denver map is coming out this week--stay tuned!

Hey hey, first time in five years my wife and I aren't making it to RF Chicago...(My pull out game is weak). Two questions: past years, there was a Chicago based band as headliner. What happened with that this year? Also, where do I send my resume?

Riot Mike: We tried. We did. We tried to get one Chicago band to close a night for us, but it didn't pan out. We still have plenty of local talent out there. As for not coming, you do understand we have medic tents, and we're right by two hospitals.

Riot Twitter Guy: #1 wear a condom

I noticed the 2005 lineup included Agent Orange, The Lawrence Arms, The Misfits, The Bouncing Souls, Dead Kennedys and more really impressive acts for a first year festival. How did you hit the ground running with Riot Fest?

I had actually never put on a show before, I just started contacting bands through there agents, you know--and that was all it was.Selling them on playing a new fest was the big thing, but there aren't that many festivals back then. Funny enough, when Lolla became a one weekend event, rather than a tour, Pitchfork, Lolla, and us, all started the same year.

I had actually never put on a show before, I just started contacting bands through there agents, you know--and that was all it was.Selling them on playing a new fest was the big thing, but there aren't that many festivals back then. Funny enough, when Lolla became a one weekend event, rather than a tour, Pitchfork, Lolla, and us, all started the same year.

About how much money do the artists get on any given day of the event in any of these cities? And what is the upper and lower end of the range of guarantees that artists receive?

Riot Mike: What are you talking about?! They pay us.

How did the political pushback out of Humboldt Park affect your civic pride, since you live there? Did it affect the charitable giving that the RFF focuses on in Humboldt Park, and are you refocusing?

Riot Mike: #1 Fuck Maldonado. He's destroying that neighborhood. #2 It has. It actually has effected it because we're in a new home, and we have to give our good will there. It's sad.

What do you have against CM Punk and cantaloupes?

Riot Twitter Guy: Cantaloupes ruin fruit salads. Honeydoo is the money melon.

Riot Fest: (CM Punk) We are buddies with Vince McMahon. He knows what he did.

Hi Riot Fest! My question? WHO IS THE FACE BEHIND @RIOTFEST? We all want to know.

Hopefully one day I'll be able to afford the cross-country trip to attend, instead of just dreaming about it.

Riot Mike: You'll be disaapopinted in the face. Go to /r/gonewild instead

Last years chi riot fest was my first show ever, and I have to say thanks for the great first experience. I'm curious, what was your first show growing up?

Riot Mike: It was Ramones in, I don't even remember what the fuck year that was... 88... it was the Brain Drain Tour

Riot Twitter Guy: Tom Petty.

What is it that makes it so difficult to book the same amount/caliber of bands for the Toronto festival?

Riot Mike: You know you have to remember that Chicago, this is our 11th year here, so it has built up to what it is. Toronto is still a new market for us and Downsview only allowed us 2 days, even though we wanted 3.

Have you ever thought about expanding to another cities and what makes Riot Fest different from anothe festivals in the world? Huge fan of your festival.

Riot Mike: No. Three is too many already.

What makes us different... Lolla or Coachella book every one already so all we're left with is shitty punk bands.

Where will the keys be to the Riot Fest Camaro on Sept 11?

Riot Mike: Ask me if I'm an orange.

I know you guys get "why did you schedule 'x' and 'y' at the same time?" but seriously, how do you folks pick the orders?

Riot Mike: It's based on a million factors. Some bands can only do certain days, some need to close stages, it's routing, managers--bigger bands have to go later in the day... but we try to be as mindful of conflicts and things along those lines even though it's nearly impossible.

Riot Twitter Guy: I don't want Mike's job.

What's your advice for an aspiring artist hoping to play riot fest one day ?

Riot Mike: Get in a van, start touring, because the only way you become a good band is by playing live shows and experiencing the road.

Here's a couple of the questions we got in the /r/riotfest thread about the AMA:

/u/keep_going_on : I have always been curious how many bands on average say no to booking Riot Fest... and without calling specific bands out, any ridiculous reasons they've said no?

/u/dirtysocknugget: What made you start Riot Fest?

What was the tipping point that made you decide to take Riot Fest outside, and make it a bigger event?

Are there any dream reunions you would love to book?

/u/mayogurt : I noticed the 2005 lineup included Agent Orange, The Lawrence Arms, The Misfits, The Bouncing Souls, Dead Kennedys and more really impressive acts for a first year festival. How did you hit the ground running with Riot Fest?

Riot_Mike: I would say about 20% of the bands that we go after don't confirm. Never really had anything ridiculous... well, reunion bands, well I guess nothing really ridiculous about them, they just don't like each other.

1. Riot_Mike: I didn't want to take it outside, I liked it when it was in the clubs because I don't like festivals, but we were cannibalizing our audience and it was really hard for people to navigate to see someone at Metro and then also at Congress because we'd have 7-8 shows going on simultaneously and because of that we've made a decision to take it outside and it took us 3 years until we finally did it.

2. Riot Mike: (Dream reunions) Abba.

3. Riot Mike: I had actually never put on a show before, I just started contacting bands through there agents, you know--and that was all it was.Selling them on playing a new fest was the big thing, but there aren't that many festivals back then. Funny enough, when Lolla became a one weekend event, rather than a tour, Pitchfork, Lolla, and us, all started the same year.

Have you thought about making Riot Fest a Camping fest?

Riot Mike: 100% Yes.

Riot Twitter Guy: It almost feels like we've done that before.

Hi guys, thanks for doing this AMA. My question is, which artists are the nicest to interact with, or overall are just kind, genuine people? Thanks again, and see you in September!

Riot Mike: Descendents are fucking awesome--the nicest human beings, and Rise Against.

Is NWA going to be at Riot Fest this year?

Riot Mike: Yes. Rick Flair and other members are coming. Wooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!

What has been your favorite Riot Fest lineup so far (other than this year)?

Riot Mike: 2009.

Hi, long time riot fest attendee here! Could you please explain what goes into determining set times, who plays when? It seems like all the big bands are all scheduled around the same time. Why are they not spread out through the whole day so everyone can see them?

Riot Twitter Guy: We put all the names into the hat and then pull them out.

Riot Mike: A lot of the time it's agents and managers negotiating for set times so that dictates a lot of it.

I have a different beer question. Will Riot Fest Denver be getting microbrews this year?

Riot Twitter Guy: Yes, it'll be in littler cups this year. Miniature tea cups.

I went to the very first Riot Fest in 2005 when I was 16. It is crazy to see how much this festival has evolved over the years.

As a person who works festivals and tours full time throughout the year, working is just as much fun, if not more fun than attending the festival as a patron.

What is your favorite aspect of throwing such an event?

What are your thoughts about making festivals 18+ or 21+? Thanks! I'll see you on site.

Riot Mike: I'd never make Riot 18+. It has to be all ages.

The most exciting part about Riot Fest is when it's over with.

Why are tickets so difficult to transfer? I purchased the early bird 3 day VIP, and now can't attend. According to TicketFly, in order to give away or sell them I have to provide the person attending with a copy of my ID and credit card info. Because of this, I cannot resell my tickets on StubHub. I have loved Riot Fest since the beginning, haven;t missed a year, and wish I could just go. Help

Riot Mike: We try to prevent scalping as much as we can. It's a Ticketfly thing more than anything.

Do you have any questions you would like to ask us?

Riot Mike: Ask me if I'm an orange.

Are you an orange?

Riot Mike: No.

Most of the people knows about the headliners and middle section of the bill, but what new or small bands we defenitely don't want to miss?

Riot Mike: Depends--which city?

Chicago

Riot Mike: The Coathangers. Post Malone... Direct Hit! Souvenirs. Beach Slang. Jazz Cartier. Psalm One. Knucklepuck.

Riot Twitter Guy: The Municipal Drainage Project

How can I get on stage and be an artist on this next year?

Riot Mike: I'm guessing you're in a band? Put in a submission.

Riot Twitter Guy: Lots of practice. How do you get to Carnegie Hall...

I'm late to the party, but some drunk guy at rise against at the fillmore last weekend said this would be the last year for riot fest denver. Is this true??

Riot Mike: Gotta tell my mom to stop letting my dad go out at night...

Riot Twitter Guy: Sounds like a credible source...

Hi Riot Fest-

We did an after show last year at Brew & View with the Descendents documentary, who can I contact to set something up for this year?

Riot Mike: Why would you want to show the Descendents documentary again?

Riot Twitter Guy: I'll email you tomorrow.

Wouldn't be Descendents again, it would be the new Damned doc and/or the Dicks doc.

Riot Mike: Those damned dicks!

How can we keep CM Punk out of Douglass Park? I am sick and tired of his antics.

Riot Twitter Guy: We'll have security going 24/7

What was the tipping point that made you decide to take Riot Fest outside, and make it a bigger event?

I didn't want to take it outside, I liked it when it was in the clubs because I don't like festivals, but we were cannibalizing our audience and it was really hard for people to navigate to see someone at Metro and then also at Congress because we'd have 7-8 shows going on simultaneously and because of that we've made a decision to take it outside and it took us 3 years until we finally did it.

Who, in your opinion, has been the greatest act to play at Riot Fest?

Riot Mike: That's a tough one...

Give us some context, my personal opinion, or overall best performance?

How about an answer for both?

Riot Mike: Overall best performance: Iggy & The Stooges, Toronto, 2013.

My personal favorite: Descendents. Riot Fest Philly. 2011.

West Memphis three and Rollins? Awesome. Anyway, do you ever worry about the backlash for having such diverse lineups? Considering this started more as a punk show, do you ever fear losing the audience with so many genres on the current lineups? How far do you think you can push it before people actually get mad, not just whining that you didn't get this or that band

Riot Mike: No. I learned long ago that I'm going to book what I like, and if people don't like it, go to Lollapalooza.

That's been going on since 2005. I'm used to it.

Why did Riot Fest Philadelphia get cancelled a few years back?

(Not complaining. The Promise Ring played anyway, but at like a totally small venue.)

Riot Mike: Refer all questions to Live Nation.

Where are the best tacos in Chicago?

Riot Mike: Oooo. I just smoke cigarettes and drink coffee. I get my nutrients from half and half and sugar in the raw.

Riot Twitter Guy: My favorite, right now, El Milagro Tortilleria in little village. Or Big Star. That's about polar opposite of tacos as you can get.

How many shows did you see at the festival last year?

Riot Mike: Last year was actually the first year that I ever actually caught full sets. So I caught The Bosstones, Samhain, Cocksparrer, and Naked Raygun.

Riot Twitter Guy: I saw 30 bands, but only the first 1 or 2 songs.

Californian here and I went to my first Riot Fest in Chicago last year. In 8 days, I'll be in the pit for System of a Down in Denver. First, thank you for gathering a lot of my favorite music for a weekend of pure awesome.

Do you guys have any plans to make a West Coast appearance? The EDM festival scene out here is shit and we really need a new change of pace. Riot would be greatly welcomed to the Golden State.

Riot Mike: You know there's no real plans to go to California, you guys pretty much have everything to begin with, with Fuck Yeah Fest, Kevin Lyman's punk rock fest this year... you guys are never short on great shows, so it really wouldn't make fest for Riot Fest to come out to California.

Thanks for coming to Chicago and Denver--isn't it better to go to a different city and explore it.

So 2 of my friends woke up in the middle of the night last puking from the Corn dogs they ate at riot fest Chicago. Any chance we could send a health inspector into one of those deep fried hell hole snack stands?

Riot Mike: Dogs Corn 2 night past puking? Okay. Sure health inspector.

Can we PLEASE have a Riot Fest in NYC? PLEASE!

Riot Mike: Yes, but only if the Mets win the world series, the Jets win the super bowl, and the Knicks win the NBA title all in one year.

=(

Riot Mike: Turn that frown upside down!

Did this start out as self-funded, or were there sponsors with deep investment from the start? I ask because I have been trying to do some thing similar in the Phoenix area on my own (with local bands and a few touring bands), and it has proven to be an arduous task.

Riot Mike: It started with the $1,400 dollars I borrowed from my sister. She's a big corporation.

Hey Riot Fest! I've been enjoying the fest these last few years. I was wondering if there are any new vegan friendly vendors this year. While it's great that a few vendors have options, it's still lacking as I can only handle so much fried veggies and tamales. And I didn't care for the one slide of pizza Dimo's brought. Pitchfork does a great job with vegan options. Any chance we'll see some of chicago's best vegan food in Douglas park this year? Chicago Diner, Kitchen 17, Ground Control, Handlebar and even Native Foods come to mind. If not, is there a specific reason? Worries about demand?

Riot Mike: You'll find out next week! We announce the vendors then.

Have you ever considered maybe doing something earlier in the year a little south of Chicago with camping? I'm from around Springfield and I'd love to have the camping experience with the only festival that I enjoy

Riot Mike: Call it KOA fest, and bring a fucking boombox.

Give Riot Twitter guy a raise, he makes me like the festival 1000x more, and I absolutely loved Riot 2k13, I'd love to hit it up again but due to living in Pennsylvania, travel is a bit of an issue.

If you could have any band that hasn't played yet play Riot, well, play Riot Fest who would it be, and what album?

Riot Mike: Guns N Roses. Appetite For Destruction. Hit me with your punches now people.

Riot Twitter Guy: I get 6 cents a tweet now, maybe I'll get 7 cents a tweet if I'm lucky next year.

I see you guys booked the Prodigy this year. Dope! Can you now get Underworld for next year?

Riot Mike: They're actually a really fucking cool band... we haven't even started on next year yet.

Riot Twitter Guy: Let us get through this year first.

So, can I get free tickets next year for that great idea?

Riot Mike: Ask me if I'm an orange.

Hey Riot Mike...Is this the year the Bills make the playoffs? And are you an orange? Hard hitting questions everyone is dying to know

Riot Mike: The strive for five is still alive. For the orange question, sometimes.

Riot Mike: How good was the sucking at Paul McCartney at Lollapalooza this year?

The RF at May Farms was the best festival I've ever been to but honestly the one in Denver kind of sucked. Everyone at the farm was super amazingly cool but there were far too many drunk troublemakers getting to the Denver one via mass transit. Way too many assholes shoving their way up front past people that had waited 2 hours and causing fights. Why not find another farm?

Riot Mike: Easier said than done. I wish I could... I love May Farms and I wanted it there as long as we were in Colorado, but sometimes you don't get what you want. With that said, it's a lot easier said than done. There's a lot of politics involved, zoning, and so fourth.

Riot Twitter Guy: Farms don't grow on trees you know

First time going to Riot Fest and I'm curious at the After Shows. Are they designed to give people an alternative to the headliner with a more intimate crowd or are they truly meant for people to head over to after the festival night is over?

Riot Twitter Guy: They're fun shows at smaller venues--just as an extra really.

In Denver, is it going to be indoors or in the parking lot?

Riot Twitter Guy: Mostly outside, map coming soon.

Always love what you do lineup wise even though I'm halfway across the world and haven't managed to make the trip yet! (someday!)

Was wondering if you had any (broad of course) expenses breakdown you could share? Or at least what percentage goes on talent fees? Just trying to figure out if a small thing locally here is at all feasible but don't wanna undercut acts when offering! It's understandable if you don't want to share that info, thanks either way!

Riot Mike: It depends on venue. That's not a simple question to answer because it depends on where you're doing it, what bands you have, what type of production you need. For us it changes year to year.

how do you think about ozzyfest?

Riot Mike: Do you mean Ozzfest?

No love for the Maple Leafs?

Riot Mike: Oh so you're talking hockey... if you're Wendel Clark, maybe.

Seeing the year-after-year geographic locations, are the performers more popular in these areas? Easier to obtain permits? How do you select location?

Riot Mike: Chicago is easy because I lived here... Toronto was chosen because I actually grew up in Buffalo, and Buffalo couldn't have its own festival so part of the reason why I chose Toronto was partially because of Buffalo, but I also spent my summers as a kid in Ontario. For Denver, I've always wanted to be on the cover of Hog Times.