Despite the muggy and humid September cloud coverage, day two of Riot Fest 2025 packed Douglas Park with one of the strongest lineups in recent memory, stacked with everyone from underground newcomers to punk legends.

The afternoon kicked off with Wishy, the Indianapolis-based dream pop act that’s been gaining steady attention since their 2024 debut. Their shimmering guitars and layered vocals furthere dthe hazy mood over the early crowd, standing out as one of the day’s most atmospheric and well-rounded sets. Riot Fest has always made room for bands that blur genre lines, and Wishy’s ability to balance shoegaze sounds with pop elements made them a strong opener for the iconic Riot Stage. 

Next came Girl in a Coma, a reunion performance that pulled in longtime fans from across the grounds. The San Antonio trio fronted by Nina Diaz mixed a classic punk grit with a super raw vulnerability. Songs like “Clumsy Sky” and “Static Mind” reminded the audience why the band had such a cult following in the 2000s, with Diaz’s voice slicing through each verse. There was a sense of gratitude radiating off the stage and the band was visibly moved by the enthusiastic crowd reception. Later in the day on the same stage, The Cribs delivered a dose of indie rock swagger. The Jarman brothers kept the set loose and energetic, leaning heavily on fan favorites like “Men’s Needs” and “Mirror Kissers.” The crowd danced and sang along all set to their guitar-driven tunes. 

No Riot Fest day would be complete without a oddly theatrical performance, and GWAR brought it this year. The intergalactic metal warriors stormed the stage in full costume spraying the crowd with fake blood and playing fan anthems like “Saddam a Go-Go” and “Warriors of Metal.” For casual festivalgoers, GWAR might feel like the most insane fever dream ever. Helmet kept the heaviness rolling bringing loud riffs and controlled aggression to their slot. Page Hamilton’s band, known for their groundbreaking 1990s fusion of metal and alt-rock, hit the festival running. Their sound remained sharp ttroughout with waves of hard rock and post-hardcore. While not as theatrical as GWAR, Helmet’s strength was in their discipline and clear respect for the art, with each song played with tight, surgical precision. The Manchester legends James drew a surprisingly large audience filling the field with fans eager to hear their blend of alternative rock and soaring ballads. The set leaned on their catalog of UK hits, with “Laid” and “Sit Down” serving as highlights that had the crowd singing along at full volume. Tim Booth’s vocals still carried the same depth and theatricality that made James icons in the first place.

The Front Bottoms turned their slot into a celebration of millennial and Gen Z indie-punk culture. Their set had fans shouting every lyric back at the band. The band’s casual and conversational performance style contrasted with the more structured sets of the day, adding a looseness that matched Riot Fest’s anything-goes spirit. Tracks like “Twin Size Mattress” and “Au Revoir (Adios)” landed passionate with crowds loud in response. The Buzzcocks carried punk history into the evening, with Steve Diggle leading the legendary Manchester band through their catalog of classics. “Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve)” drew one of the loudest mid-day singalongs, reminding everyone just how deeply their influence runs through both punk and indie rock. 

As the sun began to set, Dropkick Murphys delivered a celtic punk party that turned the crowd into one massive chorus. Their set was full throttle from the jump, opening with “The Boys Are Back” and barreling through fan favorites like “Rose Tattoo” and “Shipping Up to Boston.” The Damned followed with a performance that highlighted their evolution from punk pioneers to gothic rock torchbearers. Dave Vanian’s commanding presence anchored the set, moving from rapid-fire early classics like “Neat Neat Neat” into moodier, atmospheric tracks from later in their career. Their ability to span decades of style shifts while still sounding cohesive showcased why they remain one of the most influential acts in punk’s sprawling family tree.

As night fully settled, Jack White took the stage for a headlining performance that reminded Riot Fest why he’s considered one of rock’s most compelling figures. Backed by his band, White wasted no time diving into a set that stretched across his career, from solo work to White Stripes classics and Raconteurs hits.

The setlist opened with the surprise of a song not his own. Debuting an intense cover of The Stooges’ “T.V. Eye,” delivered with raw ferocity, before he shifted into “Old Scratch Blues” and “That’s How I’m Feeling,” showcasing White’s recent more stylistic experiments. The crowd’s energy surged as familiar White Stripes material came back to back, with White playing “Black Math,” “Hotel Yorba,” and “Cannon,” each one’s energy matched with cheers that rippled from the barricade to the back fence.

White’s ability to constantly reimagine his catalog kept the set dynamic. “Ball and Biscuit” turned into a sprawling jam, “Lazaretto” pulsed with feral energy, and “Steady, As She Goes” brought a rush of Raconteurs nostalgia. By the time “Seven Nation Army” closed the set, the excitement could be felt not just by the front rows, but by thousands spilling toward the exits, the kind of moment that defines a true headliner performance.

Jack White Setlist (Riot Fest 9/20/25):

• T.V. Eye (The Stooges cover)
• Old Scratch Blues
• That’s How I’m Feeling
• Black Math (The White Stripes)
• What’s Done Is Done
• Hotel Yorba (The White Stripes)
• Cannon (The White Stripes)
• Broken Boy Soldier (The Raconteurs)
• Ball and Biscuit (The White Stripes)
• Lazaretto
• Icky Thump (The White Stripes)
• Steady, As She Goes (The Raconteurs)
• Seven Nation Army (The White Stripes)

Weezer closed out the night with a set full of rowd-pleasing nostalgia with deep-cut surprises. The performance was split into distinct acts, beginning with a run through mid-2000s radio staples like “Hash Pipe,” “Pork and Beans,” “Beverly Hills,” and “Island in the Sun”. The atmosphere was one of pure release, with the crowd waving, jumping, and chanting in unison.

From there, the band dug into their 2005 record Make Believe and Pinkerton, with live rarities like “Why Bother?” and “Pink Triangle” delighting die-hard fans. The inclusion of “I Just Threw Out the Love of My Dreams,” a B-side rarely performed live, was one of the night’s biggest surprises and could be felt throughout.

The most anticipated section arrived when Rivers Cuomo announced they’d be playing The Blue Album in its entirety. From the opening chords of “My Name Is Jonas” to the sweeping closer “Only in Dreams,” the band delivered the record with both polish and energy, as if it had been just released this year. 

Weezer Setlist (Riot Fest 9/20/25):

• Anonymous
• Hash Pipe
• Pork and Beans
• Beverly Hills
• Island in the Sun
• Perfect Situation
• Getchoo
• Why Bother?
• Pink Triangle
• I Just Threw Out the Love of My Dreams
• The Blue Album (full):
  • My Name Is Jonas
  • No One Else
  • The World Has Turned and Left Me Here
  • Buddy Holly
  • Undone – The Sweater Song
  • Surf Wax America
  • Say It Ain’t So
  • In the Garage
  • Holiday
  • Only in Dreams

Saturday at Riot Fest 2025 offered one of the festival’s most balanced lineups in years, giving time between punk veterans, alternative standouts, and headliners that brought the energy all day. From Wishy’s dreamy early-afternoon haze to Weezer’s cathartic closing singalong, the full day captured the full scope of Riot Fest’s identity.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Conny Chavez