Riot Fest teased fans earlier today with a video that dropped several (not so well) hidden hints at who will compose the 2018 lineup. Now, the festival has announced its preliminary lineup, with a ton of great punk and alternative bands as well as some groups that slot nicely into the “indie rock” genre. It appears the headliners so far are Blink-182 and Beck with a mystery artist, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, Incubus, Young the Giant, Interpol, Blondie, Alkaline Trio, Father John Misty and the iconic Jerry Lee Lewis. It appears that when “Great Balls of Fire” played in the background of the humorous video released earlier today, festival organizers were dead serious that the legendary rock ‘n roll legend would participate in Chicago’s (really, maybe the country’s) finest music festival.

The festival takes place September 14-16 at Douglas Park in Chicago. Here’s to hoping the festival is able to adhere to its recent tradition of bringing back long-dormant punk bands for a special reunion – The Misfits and Jawbreaker are the two more recent examples that spring to mind. Who would be an appropriate artist to carry on that lineage (not going to happen but fingers crossed for Fugazi). In addition to the headlining acts, there are many excellent groups that have been added to the lineup – and this is just the first round. Notable artists include Boston-area punks Dropkick Murphys, their West Coast counterparts in Flogging Molly, Minnesota rap duo Atmosphere, Matt & Kim, The Jesus Lizard, the reunited Digable Planets, San Diego garage/hardcore punks Hot Snakes, indie rock goddess Liz Phair and electronic music wizard Gary Numan.

Pussy Riot will be taking their confrontational live show to the festival, while long-time Riot Fest staple and party pioneer Andrew W.K. will also find a spot on the bill. GWAR, another band that has a habit of playing the festival, find themselves billed right next to W.K. Other noteable acts include The Aquabats, Face To Face, The Exploited, Dillinger Four, Piebald, HEALTH, Speedy Ortiz, Bully and Adolescents. Also, Finn Wolfhard of Stranger Things will be there playing the festival with his indie rock band Calpurnia.

Rounding out the lineup are other groups like Bleachers, Cypress Hill, Underoath, Sum 41, K. Flay, Twin Peaks, The Voidz, The Front Bottoms, Clutch, The Wonder Years, Wolfmother, SWMRS, Johnny Marr, Superchunk, Reignwolf, Lagwagon. JD McPherson, The Bouncing Souls, Conflict, The Avengers, Cobra Skulls, The Frights, Kevin Devine, The Districts, Arkells, The Audition, Spitalfield, Flor, Lower Class Brats, Total Chaos, The Fever 333, Direct Hit!, Mom Jeans., Mannequin Pussy. Smaller artists looking to make a name for themselves at this festival include Beach Goons, The Bombpops, Badflower, Save Face, Super Whatevr, Beach Bunny and No Small Children.

Photo Credit: Brett Padelford