Toronto’s edition of Riot Fest is back for a third year, featuring an extensive lineup of punk bands that focus on including Canadian talent. This year, it looks like the fest is getting even bigger, with 50 bands, four stages and a decidedly carnival-like atmosphere. And after releasing the lineup, the organizers have announced that they are adding The Cure to the list of headliners.
Riot Fest started as a Chicago-only festival, but with growing success that allowed it to move from a venue-based event to a spot at Humboldt Park, it also expanded across a few more cities. Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Toronto, Denver and Dallas all now hold versions of the hit punk/alternative gathering and it doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.
The Toronto version of the festival is in its third year, but has made some pretty big leaps in a short amount of time. This year, the fest will be held at Downsview Park on September 6th and 7th, and will feature a fairly diverse lineup. Although it specifically highlights and celebrates Toronto bands and other Canadian artists, the festival isn’t leaving out American bands, including acts like the much-talked about reunion of The Replacements. Riot Fest’s Toronto incarnation is also capitalizing on a prime festival atmosphere by including carnival rides and attractions, possibly in an attempt to make it an event that people of all ages can enjoy.
Although the festival started out with a focus on strictly punk, alternative, and emo music, its lineup diversity has definitely widened since its inception in 2005. The 2014 lineup looks pretty extensive now, but festival organizers say more will be announced as Riot Fest gets closer.
You can buy tickets here starting May 10th at 10 a.m.
Riot Fest Toronto 2014 Lineup
The Cure
City and Colour
Metric
The National
Billy Talent
Rise Against
The Flaming Lips
Social Distortion
Death Cab For Cutie
Death From Above 1979
Brand New
Paul Weller
AWOLNATION
Stars
The Head and the Heart
Dropkick Murphys
Die Antwoord
Tokyo Police Club
The New Pornographers
Taking Back Sunday
Bring Me the Horizon
The Afghan Whigs
Alkaline Trio
Glassjaw
Bob Mould
Thurston Moore
Buzzcocks
Clutch
New Found Glory
Circa Survive
Manchester Orchestra
Lucero
Title Fight
Bad Suns
Citizen
Lemuria
Mounties
PUP
Nostalghia
Radkey
Rubblebucket
Pentimento
Broncho
The Hotelier
Laura Stevenson
The Beaches
Somos
Restorations
Say Yes
Seaway
Wounds
Little Big League
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