Friday at Hancher Auditorium

Donika Kelly, 6:30pm

A fitting opener for a festival about exploration and discovery, poet and University of Iowa English professor Donika Kelly will kick off the Stop/Time festival with a short, fifteen-minute reading at Hancher. Kelly’s poetry is reflective and expansive, covering themes from consuming love to blinding pain and everything in between. Her first book of poetry, Bestiary, won the 2015 Cave Canem Poetry Prize, and her most current book, The Natural Order of Things, was released in October 2025 to positive reviews. Many of her individual poems have been published in The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and The Paris Review.

–Bailey Vergara

Ambrose Akinmusire, 6:45pm

Hey, you. Do you like jazz? Let’s hope so, because renowned trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire is coming to Hancher Up Close to bless your ears with musings that combine avant-garde jazz, post-bop, hip-hop, and more. With music, Akinmusire hopes to break down the educational barriers surrounding classical jazz and uplift community stories; he borrows from tradition, but is not constrained by it. His newest record, “honey from a winter stone,” is an exploratory journey through a variety of moods, from slow and meandering to restless and lively. And in case you aren’t already sold on his talent, his 2023 album “Owl Song” was nominated for a 2025 Grammy award for Best Jazz Instrumental Album.

–Bailey Vergara

Mei Semones, 8:45pm

24-year-old guitarist and singer Mei Semones will bring her technical talent and playful songwriting personality to Club Hancher in Strauss Hall of Hancher on Friday. Her songs blend indie rock, bossa nova, jazz, and dreamy pop, with lyrics in both English and Japanese. Despite their intricate layering, you’ll still find them easy to hum along to, and you may not be able to stop. Semones’ newest full album, “Animaru,” is dedicated to her trust in her own instincts, built through years of practice and demonstrated by ornate guitar riffs and refined, breathy vocals. Her upcoming EP “Kurage” — which features Liana Flores, John Roseboro, and her own dad — releases April 10th.

–Bailey Vergara

Saturday across Iowa City

Evicshen, 4:30pm at Gabe’s

Tapping into the weirder side of the Iowa City music community, Hancher brought in San Francisco based experimental noise artist Victoria Shen. Performing under the name Evicshen for the past eight years, her music uses powerful walls of sound and intense textures that assault your sonic palette. This often is used with extremely creative ways of bending or playing her records, such as comb filtering and folding records with her nails. 
Within her live shows, she combines this extremely well with creative art installations, and the use of weaponry and other eccentric performance antics to create a vibrant visual experience, and assault on the senses. Watching some of the recorded concerts was a beyond fascinating experience, and something I hope a lot of you guys can enjoy. 
Artists like her aren’t interested in growing a large audience, or mass producing their music. They’re interested in performing for a niche crowd who understand their artistic version, and are open to hearing music on the more experimental and macabre side of the isle. If this intrigues you, she’s playing at Gabe’s at 4:30PM, come with ear plugs.

–Tarik Krob

Sharp Pins, 6:00pm at Gabe’s

Sharp Pins, an exciting new voice in the music underground, is a one man band combining elements of classic rock with more modern indie and alternative stylizations. The side project of Kai Slater, lead singer of fellow Chicago band Lifeguard, has been picking up steam in the last few years with some incredibly unique and high quality albums.
His most recent album Balloon Balloon Balloon is a jangly hallucinatory odyssey connected by three different tracks simply labeled Balloon 1-3. Wearing his influences off his back with zero shame, the album takes the trippy, other worldly sounds of psychedelic bands of the 60s like The Beatles and The Zombies with a more stripped back DIY sound, similar to post punk bands like Joy Division and The Velvet Underground. Their previous release Radio DDR has a similar vibe, but with a more varied song lineup and more pop-centered approach to songwriting. If Balloon Balloon Balloon felt like listening to your grandparents old low fidelity radio, then Radio DDR feels like sifting through random singles in their vinyl collection. 
If any of this at all sounds interesting to you, check them out at 6PM at Gabe’s. Start listening before it’s cool to say you’re a fan.

–Tarik Krob

Danez Smith, 6:45pm at the Englert Theatre

On April 4th, queer, non-binary poet and performer Danez Smith will return to Iowa City to perform at The Englert Theatre for the Stop/Time festival. Smith previously led a workshop and hosted the Writers of Color Reading series in 2017, which was also produced by The Englert. Smith was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, and later earned degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Michigan. They’re best known for their poetry collections Boy (2014), Don’t Call Us Dead (2017), and Bluff (2024). Their work has won multiple awards, such as the Forward Prize for Best Collection, the Minnesota Book Award in Poetry, and the Lambda Literary Award for Gay Poetry, just to name a few. Smith has also performed with rapper Macklemore, back in 2016 on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, along with Chicago-based poet Jamila Woods. 
For those interested in attending a poetry reading or specifically in Smith’s poetry, they will also being hosting a reading at Prairie Lights at 3:15 pm that same day. This reading is presented by Stop/Time Festival, but entry at Prairie Lights is free for all.

–Ria Das

The Branford Marsalis Quartet, 7:00pm at the Englert Theatre

The Branford Marsalis Quartet is a jazz band, closer described as a chamber group, headed by American saxophonist Branford Marsalis. Marsalis is a composer and the leader of the band. He has played with Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Sting, the Grateful Dead, and Dizzy Gillespie. He has been playing the saxophone in bands and solo since the 1980s. The quartet officially formed in 1986 with members Kenny Kirkland on the piano, Jeff “Tain” Watts on drums, and Robert Hurst on bass. Pianist Kenny Kirkland died in the 90’s and was replaced by Joey Calderazzo and Robert Hurst was replaced by Eric Revis on bass. Later Tain left the band and was replaced by Justin Faulkner. On Saturday night they will be featuring their newly released album Belonging, which came out last March. Expect an experimental yet classic jazz sound from this quartet. As Marsalis notes, “it doesn’t really matter where our journey goes, as long as we keep the dance going.”

–Moira Grant

Golomb, 8:00pm at Gabe’s

Golomb is a alternative rock band from Columbus, Ohio and are made up of three members, two of which are married (members Mickey and Xenia Shuman). The third member is Xenia’s brother, Hawken Holm who plays drums while Xenia and Mickey sing and play bass and guitar. They have a dream-like/indie sound, leaning into noise and experimental rock. They write their own songs and were formed in 2018. Expect a lively show with folksy-sounding guitar riffs and country elements such as a pedal-steel guitar, especially in the song “Sweet Release (Ain’t No Devil)” but also a loud, lively, and heavy sound from the song “The Beat Goes On.” This band is experimental as well. The lead singer Mickey sounds just like Stephen Malkmus, the lead singer of Pavement. Xenia often does the background vocals and harmonizes excellently with Mickey. Perhaps being unified in marriage also transfers to being unified in sound and music? Find out this Saturday.

–Moira Grant

Tortoise, 9:15pm at The Englert Theatre

The post-rock Chicago legends Tortoise join us in Iowa City to close out The Englert Theatre’s share of events this weekend. This is one of those bands that people on the internet debate about at such a mighty length that this discourse can only be achieved through the means of doctorate dissertations or through Reddit. But at their core, they’re a rock band built from atmosphere. Influenced by electronica, krautrock, and jazz, their music is this kind of eclectic and wondrous mish-mash. It feels a stretch to call it “rock,” the sound is so minimal yet so captivating in how it pulls a listener directly into this world they’re creating. They’re current tour follows the release of Torch, their newest album from last year released after nearly a decade record hiatus, yet still ringing out the same quality as their 1998 landmark TNT album. I’d truly recommend seeing this band, they’ve played such a major part of the post-rock foundation and seeing them at this festival really encapsulates the exact artistry that Stop/Time Festival is creating space for.

–Pauly

Frankie and the Witch Fingers, 10:30pm at Gabe’s

Punk-rock band Frankie and The Witch Fingers performs at Gabe’s for Stop/Time Festival and as part of their tour for their newest album, Trash Classic. The band was originally formed in Indiana by founding member Dylan Sizemore, the band’s vocalist and rhythm guitarist, and later relocated to Los Angeles. Currently, the band consists of Josh Menashe (vocalist, lead guitarist, and synthesizer), Nikki Pickle (bassist), Nick Aguilar (drummer), and Jon Modaff (synths). Frankie and the Witch Fingers evolved from Sizemore’s original solo act into a band, signing to record labels such as Permanent Records, and released their self-titled first album in 2015 with their psych-pop/acid-rock second album Heavy Roller out a year later. The band has since released more albums, with their most recent Trash Classic in 2025, described as plunging, “into a sewer-slick fusion of proto-punk venom, fractured new wave, and industrial grime. Brimming with wiry synths, angular melodies, and grooves that squirm and bite.” If any of that sounds interesting to you, consider attending their show for the chance to rock out with them live!

–Ria Das

There’s plenty more to see at Iowa City’s first Stop/Time Festival this weekend, with a huge spread of incredible local and touring artists, authors, and poets presented by Hancher Auditorium. For more information on further events and to purchase tickets, check the Stop/Time website here.

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FRIDAY 

I caught Fat, Evil Children as the foremost band of this festival, playing the Right Field Stage at 12:15. I had done some research beforehand and really enjoyed their sound so this was a must see. Coming out of the LA, they have begun branching out of state with their latest release “Can’t Stop” on November 28^th, 2025. This six song EP holds a favorite of mine, “The Weight” which was released as a single a few weeks before the EP. Following up on the Right Field stage was Congress, The Band. Out of South Carolina, this was the farthest out west the 5 piece indie rock group had been. Named after Congress St in Charleston, and not the house of government, they will be hitting the road this March with fellow Innings Festival band Common People. You can find tickets here. 

While exploring the festival grounds I heard an all too familiar sound. Like a siren calling me to the sea, I heard the second track to Bruce Springsteen’s third album “Born to Run”. Springsteen is a magnet of sorts for me, and with nothing to break the attraction, I ended up at The Left Field Stage watching Jake Peavy jam out with his band to “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out”. Peavy was playing for my Chicago White Sox during a very formative time in my life. Watching the All-Star game in 2012, I never imagined I would hear him play “Franklin’s Tower” or The Boss. This is part of what makes Innings Festival so special, this was the only place you could find a childhood hero rocking out.  

Staying at Right Field for the time being, Peach Pit was up next. I had the opportunity to talk with the band before their set and discuss all things from The Simpsons in Fortnite to Norm MacDonald. That interview will be up soon on 89.7 KRUI. After a great interview, they came on stage with an instrumental jam into their self-titled song. Released in 2018 on the Sweet FA EP, “Peach Pit” is a tune that has been a staple in my playlists for years. It is Peach Pit at their best, with sincere lyrics that don’t beat you over the head with their feelings but decide to open the door and let you in if you choose. A dozen songs later, Peach Pit closed with fan favorite “Tommy’s Party”, painting the picture of a friendship that’s lost its flame in light of time and others taking priority. A mourning of something lost disguised as a slow jam where guitarist Chris Vanderkooy skates across the G Major Scale. A sound ending to one of my favorite sets of the weekend. Afterwards lead singer Neil Smith joined the crowd for pictures and high fives. Peach Pit has a handful of festival slots coming up this year. 

A album release party to remember, Mumford and Sons took the stage at 9:00pm on the night of their sixth studio album drop “Prizefighter”. Playing five tracks off the record, Marcus Mumford sprinted through seventeen songs spanning the band’s illustrious career. With his army of musicians behind him, the emphasis on the new record was warmly welcomed as this blues and rock inspired LP was made to be played for these huge crowds like this. Their 2025 record “RUSHMERE” wasn’t forgotten either as the two tracks were heard amongst the shuffle of their set. Marcus paid a compliment to the previous band on The Home Plate Stage, The Goo Goo Dolls, preaching “You get The Goo Goo Dolls night one and you’re fucked the rest of the weekend”. I concur Marcus, it’s difficult to follow up “Iris”. Mumford and Sons have just announced their “Prizefighter World Tour” including a stop at Hinterland in Iowa on August 1^st.  

SATURDAY 

I was elated to have finally caught The Backfires. The combination of New York indie and Britpop is featured heavy in this groups work, including 2022’s single “Blindsided”. The Backfires were quick to make fans as the dancing began almost immediately as they stepped on stage. They only have one more gig on the books so far in New York as they record a new album. You can follow their process on their Instagram.  

Right Field continued to be a place I found myself as Deer Tick was setting up. Something familiar hit my ears as the guys began playing “Bad to the Bone” as their soundcheck. I asked Deer Tick about their long and storied history with covers, including a handful of songs by mutual favorites The Pogues. You can hear all about it in my interview with Deer Tick that will be on 89.7 KRUI soon. Their set included a new song, “Mary Singletary”, from their upcoming record that will be released in June. During their set I had a thought, maybe it was that baseball was already involved, but their songs hold a very classic summer sound that feels reminiscent of CCR, The Eagles, and Dylan. Deer Tick have a handful of gigs in March around their home in the Northeast and just announced they will be playing returning to the midwest to play Summerfest in Milwaukee on Friday, June 19^th. 

At the left field stage, former pitcher and current entertainer, Ryan Dempster, continued his wonderful “Off The Mound” talk show. With a live band and a great selection of guests, Dempster is a natural at playing host to current and former baseball personalities. He entered the stage and did a quick monologue, joking how the Dodgers were so injury prone last year, one of their pitchers had to hit. I caught a lot of strays as a White Sox fan while at The Left Field Stage, on stage and off. Dempster, a long-time north sider, did not shy away from his bias to Wrigley. An olive branch was extended as one of his guests played for both sides of town. Jeff Samardzija spent six and a half season with the Cubs, and just a lonely singular year with the White Sox, was eager to talk both sports and music. Growing up a Sox fan, it was a dream to dawn the black and white pinstripes in 2015 even though baseball was not his original path. Samardzija was a two time All-American tight end and caught over 2,500 yards in three seasons for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Sharing stories of being a two-sport athlete and how youth sports have changed was interesting coming from a former professional athlete and current parents. He then spoke about meeting his wife at a Pink Floyd concert, as she was an employee to Roger Waters. After some light stalking and a few emails, Samardzija secured a date and the rest is history. It felt like watching a conversation with two old friends as Dempster created a relaxed environment and Samardzija putting his feet up. This was all wrapped together with a bow on top as the house band sounded spectacular as well.

I often hear from my seniors that there are no rock stars anymore. The spark has left the industry, guitar music is dead, and everything is made with computers now. Although computers may be scary to some, the rest could not be farther from the truth. Whenever you are in doubt, go see Cage the Elephant play a gig. Frontman Matt Schultz is a larger-than-life performer, flipping the lid off any containment he might have had. Alongside his brother Brad Schultz, drummer Jarod Champion, bassist Daniel Tichenor, and a batch of the strongest live musicians out there, Cage the Elephant was emphatic in their 19 song set. Matt Schultz mentioned that he may forget a few of the words during their performance, as they are in the process of making a new record. Their latest venture came in the form of 2024’s Neon Pill which they have toured extensively. With a new record on the way, there is a scarcity of gigs lined up for the Bowling Green natives. You can find any updates from the band here. 

Los Angeles local Lord Huron played a dreamy set as the blue lighting put him in this twilight-Esque setting, delivering a story time that a listener dreams of. Under the stars of the West, Ben Schneider put out a mix of new and old, with three songs off 2025’s “The Cosmic Selector: Vol 1” and four songs from a decades prior album “Strange Trails”. Lord Huron will embark on a lengthy tour this summer, including a stop in Waukee on July 19th. 

Twenty-One Pilots delivered a set full of new surprises at Innings Festival. Three live debuts and two covers is what Tempe was treated too, a shocker to any long time Twenty-One Pilot’s fans. Covers have eluded many fans for years, so hearing Milky Chance’s hit “Stolen Dance” intwined with the live debut of “One Way” was a shock to many. Near the end of the set, the stage went black and a static appeared on screen. Through the tech mist, rock and roll hero Jack White appeared on screen, adorned in red, black and white, to say “I’m Jack White and I give Tyler and Josh permission to do this song”. The static dissipated, and the stage became cloaked in red as the iconic “Seven Nation Army” riff began. This arrangement of The White Stripes classic was first introduced in Cleveland at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. The third live appearance of this song was well worth the wait. This was a landmark set for the band, introducing “Center Mass” and “Drag Path” to a live audience, and preparing for a busy summer in Europe.  

SUNDAY 

Bowling For Soup took main stage on the final day of Innings Festival at 2:30. People were tired and the sun was beating down on the weekend snow birds, but the Texas natives brought the energy with their collection of hits and theme songs. This set included a cover of Stacy’s Mom by Fountain’s of Wayne, often mistaken as a Bowling For Soup song, this was originally by the New York rockers. Jaret Reddick and company played everything I wanted to hear as they begin another busy year in Australia, UK, and supporting Simple Plan once again this summer. I spoke with Reddick about their tour and future of the band, which you can find here. 

Right after Bowling For Soup, another trio was on fire, this time at the Right Field Stage. With an hour to play with, Eve 6 jumped throughout their famed discography. Rising to prominence in 1998 with their self-titled debut record, there was heavy representation from that outing with five songs played including “Inside Out”. Time traveling 26 years later, Eve 6 also played the song “Dream Fist” which shares the same name as the record it is on. Throughout the lively story of their career, they have continued to hold their own and produce catchy tunes. Eve 6 has three dates on the books so far for 2026, you can find tickets here. 

An unknown walking into this weekend was Switchfoot. These surfer dudes won me over with their swoopy hair and sprightly tunes. This is what festivals are all about, finding a new band and becoming a fan. The song that hooked me “Dark Horses“, and that was partially due to a touch of Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir” being tossed in. The San Diego natives didn’t shy away from a cover as the very next tune was The Beastie Boys “Sabatoge” blaring from bassist Tim Foreman, brother of frontman Jon Foreman. Switchfoot will hit the road this summer, with Fuel and Lit joining for select dates.

The Right Field Stage was closing out with a bang. The combination of Big Boi and Public Enemy was tantalizing to the point of believing either could have been the headliner for that day. Big Boi, who is one half of Outkast, did not shy away from his past with 10 of his 17 songs being callbacks to his days with André 3000. Although omitting their biggest hit, “Hey Ya!”, the classics like “B.O.B.” and “Ms. Jackson” got the crowd moving. Big Boi will be supporting Kid Cudi this summer on his “Rebel Rangers Tour“.

One of the most iconic rap duos of all time, Chuck D. and Flavor Flav did not fail as my anticipation for this performance was far from small. I had missed Public Enemy in 2024 at Riot Fest, and it began to haunt me as in my Music and Social Change class, we watched a documentary starring Chuck D. Not only was the salt already in the wound as “Copyright Criminals” was assigned viewing, but to hear that the professor assigning it was the executive producer hurt even more. My professor, Kembrew McLeod, helped make this documentary out of nothing, embarking on a journey highlighting the often unfair world of sampling in hip-hop. Chuck D was prominent and even played a slot on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon in celebration of the documentary. All of this to say, Public Enemy’s bar was raised very high. The lights grew dim and then exploded as two men in matching tracksuits walked out, one with a boombox in hand. Not far behind them were tow para-military dressed men, dawned in a yellow and gray camo. The venerable Flavor Flav then appeared in a sparkly white tracksuit before introducing the crowd to “my partner in crime, my partner in rhyme, my partner in time, Chuck D”. This set did not stop, unless Public Enemy wanted to make their political standings clear, which they were not shy about. Chuck D attempted to play it a little more subtle with his distaste for the current administration while his other half spoke with more blunt remarks. The duo was not timorous or apprehensive, continuing to take shots at the Presidents involvement in the Epstein Files or his decision to remove a bust of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. out of the Oval Office. This was “a major disrespect” said Flavor Flav to the Arizona audience as he reminded them that The Grand Canyon State was the first to recognize Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday as a federal holiday. These statements did not come as a surprise to someone who has listened to Public Enemy’s songs, read any interviews and lyrics, or read the name of their group. Overall, an absolutely electric performance from the hip-hop veterans as I look forward to seeing them again sooner rather than later. The duo will be opening up for Guns N’ Roses for select dates on their North American Tour this summer.

To end the festival at Home Plate was Sublime and blink-182. February 22nd is a special day for Sublime, as it is Bradley Nowell’s birthday. The founding member of Sublime, and father to current singer Jakob, was just 28 at the time of his passing, with Jakob only 11 months old. As time continued to move, Jakob joined Sublime in 2023 to take over where his father left off. At Innings Festival, surrounded by two humungous inflatable “Lou Dog’s”, Jakob made sure his fathers legacy was not forgotten. A bombastic set celebrating the all too brief discography of the Long Beach band was a joy to hear in the warmth of the southwest. The set included a cover of “Scarlet Begonais” by The Grateful Dead, a cover that was originated by Bradley back in 1992. Sublime’s set felt like a celebration, and I was happy to be there for it. Sublime will be touring across Australia, Europe, and North America this year continuing the party. You can find tickets here.

This Must Be The Place was at Innings Festival, handing out free doses of Naloxone at their stand and around the festival. An incredibly important collaboration to supply people with the tools to avoid overdoses. They have given away hundreds of thousands of doses throughout their time at festivals, and it was really cool to see Innings Festival embrace and uplift this organization.

blink-182 closed down the festival with their self proclaimed “only gig of the year” for which they “only practiced twice for”. The ladder comment was amended to “one and a half times because Tom (DeLonge) wanted to beat traffic” said bassist Mark Hoppus. The San Diego pop punk pillars breezed through their 19 song set that included two plays of Travis Barker’s only lead vocal appearance “FUCK FACE”. An abrasive name, yes. An abrasive song, also yes. Quick and to the point, like much of blink-182’s discography. This set was a greatest hits collection that featured four tunes a piece from “Enema of the State”, “Untitled”, “Take Off Your Pants and Jacket”, and their most recent outing “ONE MORE TIME”. The rest of the set was made of a scattering of tracks from other records like “California’s” “Bored to Death” and blink’s first hit “Damnit”. A personal highlight of a blink show is hearing what Mark will sing during the bridge of the “Dude Ranch” single, and we got a new one with “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” sung. I have heard “No Scrubs” by TLC, “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan and a variety of others but this bridge was on theme. blink will go into hibernation for the time being as we await what is next for The Mark, Tom, and Travis Show.

Bands don’t shy away from the baseball theming, really embracing the uniqueness of this festival. Congress, The Band sporting matching customized baseball jerseys, and even last year The Killers opened their headlining set with “Centerfield” by John Fogerty. The wide selection of artists, and the distinctive feeling the wraps around Tempe Beach Park make it a yearly pilgrimage for many. Innings Festival is not only a kick off to Spring Training, but festival season, as the gears begin to spin for 2026. I for one, am very excited for whats to come. Extra Innings Festival will be held in the same location this coming weekend as it focuses on country music. This is just the beginning. Stay tuned to KRUI for my interviews with Peach Pit, Deer Tick, and Eve 6 and tune into Downey’s Hour Monday Nights 9:00-11:00PM for your latest festival news!

All photos courtesy of Innings Festival.

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FRIDAY DEC 26 

The week starts out with a bang as 6 of the 7 venues will be full. Radius, which is busy the whole week, brings a trio of Chris Lorenzo, Omnom, and Melé. Lorenzo just performed in Shanghai to a massive audience, continuing his global conquest. At Cermak Hall, Azzecca will be spinning with Eli Escobar and Chicago’s own Ariel Zetina. The Smartbar on Clark is where Zetina spends her time creating a loyal following in this town, a proper support to back-to-back-to-back Coachella staple Azzecca.  

Black Light Smoke and his impressive collection of synths will be making waves at Smoke and Mirrors. A cornerstone of the Logan Square scene, it continues to be a must visit on the first two days of Transitions. Incorrect Music owner Anthony Attalla will be bringing his wide collection to Serum on Friday evening. The Chicago based dj will be supported by his fellow labelmates Carlo Lio and DJ F*ck Chuck. 

SATURDAY DEC 27 

Ayybo will be calling Cermak Hall home on Saturday as he continues his climb. He just announced his biggest headlining show to date at the Knockdown Center in Queens for this March. Odymel also has had a big year with his Boiler Room set dropping just last month. He will be performing at Smoke and Mirrors on Saturday Night. 

Matroda will play his second to last set of his busy year at Concord Music Hall. He sold out three nights in Los Angeles at Gloria Molina Grand Park in the heart of downtown. An expansive sound that erupts live. Havana’s favorite duo Pauza will take on Spybar with their crystallizing sound heavily intertwined with their Caribbean heritage. 

SUNDAY DEC 28 

Cloonee has had a bucket list year, playing Lollapalooza, EDC, and many more iconic festivals but none more iconic than his latest announcement of Red Rocks this May. A feat reserved for the best artists of our time, Cloonee has earned his spot as one of the most electric shows out there. He will be playing Radius with Andruss and Iglesias. Hailing from across the pond in Dundee, Scotland, Hannah Laing has had a monumental run in the past 10 years. Becoming one of the first female residents at Hï Ibiza, there is no denying her star power as she will perform at Serum. 

MONDAY DEC 29 

Radius will be the home to an incredible combo of Four Tet, Dylan Brady, and INVT. A massive amount of talent for one room on one night, there is a sweeping variety on 640 W Cermak Street. Four Tet is an internationally renowned DJ, wrapping up a run in South Africa earlier this December. Dylan Brady of 100 Gecs will also be playing, continuing a busy year that includes a collaboration with Skrillex. Chloe Caillet, who just played her first all nighter, will be at Cermak Hall with Floorplan, Paurro, and Chicago’s own HOTPRETTY.  

TUESDAY DEC 30 

Cermak Hall continues to host stellar days as Kobosil will take the helm with the help of Cera Khin B2B Zorza. Kobosil, a Berlin born techno artist, has had a storied career starting to spin records at 17 years old, amassing a craterous inventory of songs that continue to draw people in.  

Purple Disco Machine brings his bright and energetic show to Radius on Tuesday Night. The realms of music Tio Piontek dives into makes an atmosphere unlike any other. With support from Claude Vonstroke and Never Dull, there is no lack of new sounds between the trio.  

WEDNESDAY DEC 31 

The busiest and final day of the week culminates with a massive 21 hour set at Outset. From 7am to 4am, Adam Beyer, Derrick Carter, Noizu and many more will be performing well into the new year. All other venues will be full too, as Cermak Hall houses Kasablanca and HNTR, Perc and Selective Response take on Smoke and Mirrors, and many more world class artists continue their runs in Chicago.  

Throughout the 7 days, there is no shortage of incredible artistry on display. DJ’s from all over the world are bringing their unique sound to one city, and Transitions is home to it all. The wide variety in genres and stylings are mesmerizing as it sprawls across Chicago for 7 days. You can check out the full lineup below, and find tickets here.  

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Ken Pomeroy   

The first of the sold-out shows was a performance by Ken Pomeroy (no, not the basketball player). Pomeroy is a folk artist, who takes inspiration from famous musician John Denver. Pomeroy would explain what would inspire her to create her music. John Denver aside, Pomeroy calls upon her upbringing as a Cherokee living along the American Bible Belt. This drove her to write more American folk/gothic style music. Many people have heard of Pomeory thorugh her featured songs, “Wall of Death” from the movie Twisters, and “Cicadas” featured on the show Reservation Dogs. 

Pomeroy opened her set with a song from her album Cruel Joke. Wrango is written about her “fat adopted dog” who is, in more appropriate terms, a jerk and a biter. I felt pretty seen as someone who also has a fat dog who kind of sucks. Her lyrics alone are enough to make you misty, pair that with her skill on her guitar and it’s truthfully breathtaking. 

In addition to her deeply sentiemental lyrics, Pomeory writes from her own personal life exepreinces. A very good example of this is her song Cicadas. Cicadas touches on the very real experience of just not being in the mood to talk; 

“I met someone I didn’t want to talk to  

She said my Saturn was on fire  

What a liar ” 

Pomeory went on to explain that it was based off a personal experience with not wanting to talk to someone new. Moments like this connected her audience during the show, showing a very transparent and human side to her art. Pomeroy’s set is one that I will never forget, and I hope to see her if she ever tours again.

Stream Curel Joke, you will not regret it.   

Loudon Wainwright III  

“79?! Thats not that old!”  

My first impression of Loudon and his music was Motel Blues from Album 2 from 1972.  My first experience with his music sober. That being said, I was surprised by the borderline stand-up comedy approach that he took.   

Almost every song in the first half of his set was about being old, or, for a change, GETTING old. He had mentioned that his 79th birthday had been within the past few days. This was followed by the delcariation of, “Thats when life REALLY begins.”  

Along with that, Loudon’s set was full of surprises. one second, you’re looking down to write down what he said, the next he’s taking out an iPad. iPad itself took a little time, on account of him forgetting his password. He quickly recovered with a written, DETAILED list of what he wanted his memorial to be like. Loudon had it mapped down to how his former flings would interact. Even including his personal guidelines that they had to meet.

After every sentence the audience was in an uproar of laughter. Loudon stood out against many other acts of the evening due to his use of comedy during his set. Even when discussing hard topics, such as family hardship and political tensions, he did it through the lens of comedy. When it came down to it, everyone was incredibly entertained.

Overall

Iowa City Songwriters Festival did the wonderful task of humanizing artists, and their processes to the public. Seeing songwriters encouraging people to start and showing them how to begin is what makes art happen. I can’t wait to see what The Englert Theatre has to offer again for the festival next year! 

The post Iowa City Songwriters Festival 2025, Saturday in Review appeared first on KRUI Radio.

FRIDAY 

I started off Riot Fest 2025 at the main stage to settle into where I would be spending a good chunk of time this weekend. The smell of IPA’s, Bacci’s massive pizza slices, and tens of thousands of other Weezer fans quickly crept into my nostrils. The grass was left a lot longer this year to prevent dust clouds and wood chips were laid over the baseball field avoiding the muddy infield of years past. Preparations were made, the weather was lining up, this all had the makings of a worthy celebration of the 20 years of this festival. In preparation for their November 7^th gig at Gabe’s I checked out Harrison Gordon’s opening set. After releasing their “Spring Break” EP in March and their debut album “The Yuppies Are Winning” back in 2023, this emo powerhouse embarks on their first headline tour. With a crowd that kept pushing farther forward, Harrison Gordon captivated the audience with mosh pits at the early hour of 12:15pm.  

I was able to catch a bit of Loviets set on the way in, I was unfamiliar with them walking into the festival but after hearing them I couldn’t help but stop by. A nice indie rock sound that welcomed all the fest goers into the weekend. The Toronto natives released their newest single “STIFFY” on September 19 and to celebrate we were treated to it’s live debut.

I continued to jump around the stages early in the day, trying to catch as much as I could including a few flavorful songs from Mac Sabbath. On their mission to stop “Drive-Thru Metal”, Grimalice, Slayer MacCheese, Ronald Osbourne and The Catburgalur put together a collection of tunes slightly changed to be about food. After this set I went and grabbed a pulled pork sandwich.  

The Tossers were an unexpected favorite of the day. Somehow, someway, I let an Irish band from Chicago slip through the cracks, but this was remedied as I got nice and close for their all too brief 30 minute set. Cranking through a mix of traditional like “The Rocky Road to Dublin” and songs off their latest record “Smash the Windows”, it was a lovely introduction to the Rebel Stage who would be hosting 2 more Irish bands late that evening. 

Riot Fest favorites The Hold Steady played their 2005 record “Separation Sunday” in full and tagged on a few hits in the minutes remaining. This was a record I had been wanting to hear for a while, and the kind of record that is meant to be heard front to back. Lead singer Craig Finn did an incredible job taking us through the story of him and his “hood rat friends”. You can listen to their latest record, “The Price of Progress” here. 

At 5:55, Jenny Lewis strolled on stage followed by her backing band that make up indie rock legends Rilo Kiley. With an absolutely packed crowd surrounding the Radical Stage and most of the Weird World Stage, the captivated audience enjoyed an hour of their greatest hits for the first time in 17 years. During the final songs I made my way out of the crowd back towards the Rebel Stage where I would wait for The Pogues that night, but on my way I stopped by Alkaline Trio’s full album play of “Maybe I’ll Catch Fire”. Matt Skiba and company captivated me from a distance as I stayed for “Sleepyhead” being played for the first time in a decade and settled in for Stiff Little Fingers.  

Lead singer Jake Burns said that festival slots were usually for the hits, “but because we don’t have any we’re gonna play some deep cuts”. The setlist included The Specials “Doesn’t Make It Alright” and the story about how they recorded their cover of it before The Specials released their own version. As Burns and Co. made their way off stage, in the distance I could hear Knocked Loose tear up the Roots Stage.  

Slowly, a banner with a spilled bottle of rum was raised and the crowd filled in. The Pogues sauntered on stage, 13 and counting, with drinks in hand and smiles on their face. This was their final show on the books, wrapping up their biggest touring year in over a decade. Through thick and thin, original members Spider Stacy, Jem Finer, and James Fearnley were the anchors of The Pogues, carrying it through over 4 decades of rock and roll. Blazing through the tracks off their record “Rum, Sodomy, and the Lash”, the band finished with “Sally MacLennane” underneath blink-182’s fireworks display.  With a bow and a toast, The Pogues walked off stage but couldn’t get far until the persistent crowd called for an encore. A seemingly very genuine encore, the band was scattered throughout and had to corral them all back to fit in the “only other song we know” according to Jem Finer. As words were scribbled down on paper, and musicians discussed what key they were playing this one in, the final song of Friday night began. While the pits grew larger, and seemingly every person was getting crowd surfed to the front, the final notes hit. It began to set in that this was the last we’d be seeing Spider and the band in the states for a while, but grateful for what I had just witnessed.  

I missed a few notable sets, including the one and only “Weird Al” Yankovic headlining his own stage. The crowd was one of the largest of the weekend and captivated an audience that led a calmer opposition to Knocked Loose at the same time. Both led directly into blink-182’s set where they hit six songs off my personal favorite record of theirs “Take Off Your Pants and Jacket” including “Online Songs” and “Roller Coaster”. They brought out blink-182 alum Matt Skiba to sing “Bored to Death” and Stephen Egerton of Descendants made his first of two appearances of the weekend covering his tune “Hope”. Closing with their first big hit “Damnit” off 1997’s “Dude Ranch”, the crowds dispersed until they would meet again 13 hours later.  

SATURDAY 

I arrived to the festival with Wishy’s sound spilling over the sides of the walls with their Indie-ana rock. A good introduction to the indie rock legends Weezer playing “The Blue Album” front to back on the same stage later that night. I bounced around, seeing snippets of a handful of bands like Feral Tact, Girl In A Coma, and Thrown. I explored the over 30 food vendors and settled on a top tier chicken sandwich from Chicago favorite The Publican. It was as good as it is in their restaurant which is hard to come by at a festival, but Riot Fest’s food options were bountiful. I enjoyed that meal while watching Agent Orange run their record “Living In Darkness” front to back. 

I caught a song by California rockers Militarie Gun on my way to get a good spot for Free Throw’s return to Riot Fest after their rained out set in 2023. They played The Metro with fellow Riot Fest rockers Harrison Gordon in April and their quick trip back to Chicago was more than welcomed by a huge early day crowd. After a quick 30 minutes, Free Throw closed with their hit “Two Beers In” as the crowd screamed their lungs out. I made my way back to the main stage to see man of many talents Jason Narducy play bass for Superchunk. The Evanston, IL native makes his return to Riot Fest after his high school band Verböten returned from a four decade long hiatus last year on the Riot Stage. Verböten has made 3 appearances since including opening for one of the godfather’s of punk Iggy Pop at The Salt Shed in March. 

If you like yelling and blood, Gwar and Helmet would be a heartbreaking schedule conflict for you. Overlapping for 45 minutes, I chose Gwar because Helmet lacked theatrical blood. Stirring up controversy by their grotesque prosthetics and on stage fake executions and births, this is the same Gwar that hundreds of thousands have seen in their 41 year career. In a direct contrast to what I just viewed, I went to go see English rockers James play the Riot Stage. An off to wall pick, not due to their McDonald’s themed costumes or hit parody songs, but due to their relatively chill Britpop vibes. Talking to a lot of people, they walked in knowing a single or two from the 90’s and walked away big fans of James. 

I settled in for a night at the main stages, with the back and forth of The Front Bottoms, The Beach Boys, Jack White, and Weezer. The Front Bottoms played their 2015 record “Back On Top” in full followed by 4 songs and closer “Twin Size Mattress” off my personal favorite record of theirs “The Talon of the Hawk”. They just wrapped up a brief tour for the record including an after show on Friday night at The Bottom Lounge. After they wrapped up, lead singer Brian Sella smashed his Fender acoustic-electric into the stage. With remnants of wood and wiring laying peacefully at their feet, The Front Bottoms took a bow.

Earlier in the day, under the churning eyes of the butter statue, the John Stamos look-a-like competition took place in “Riot Land”. It came down to two main competitors as the crowd size grew larger and larger until the judge declared a man in aviator sunglasses, a gray Hawaiian shirt, and sporting a thousand watt smile the winner. Hoping to catch sight of the lead singer of Jessie and The Rippers, he could only be found in one place that day. At 6:20, the screen flashed a montage of The Beach Boys greatest moments as the band made their way on stage. With Stamos face masks in the crowd, mosh pits opening up, and a chant that I can still hear ringing in my ears… Stamos appeared as a godlike figure wearing a leather jacket in 80-degree weather. You would’ve thought an earthquake had occurred as these thunderous celebrations of Uncle Jessie’s mere appearance rattled through Douglass Park. I saw a crowd surfer with an inflatable surfboard and another with a giant cardboard cutout of Stamos’ head. The Beach Boys played 19 songs off their impressive back catalog, including 3 tracks off arguably the greatest album of all time “Pet Sounds”.  

I was slightly let down at the lack of a tribute to the recently passed Brian Wilson. Being the heart, soul, and brains of the band, I thought there should have been a big mention of him but there lacked any representation of the founding member. Stamos even did a tribute to fellow “Full House” cast member Bob Saget who passed away in 2022. It was a tough pill to swallow as a huge fan of The Beach Boys. The performance left a sour taste in my mouth but if this iteration of the band can get another 13-year-old Logan to listen to “Pet Sounds” on repeat, it might be worth it. If you are searching for a more Brian Wilson focused band, former Beach Boy Al Jardine has taken most of Brian Wilson’s backing band in his new group, Al Jardine’s Pet Sound’s Band. They play through all the greatest Beach Boy’s hits still, with a little more of an emphasis on the song writing and composition that Brain Wilson brought to the group.

The generational talent that is Jack White took the stage next. Starting with a ferocious cover of The Stooges “T.V. Eye”, White took every second of his time on stage to tear through his set. While ripping on his guitar he asked the crowd if they “want fascists in control” to which the crowd defiantly shouted against. White said “that’s right, rock and roll is in control tonight”, as he continued setting the stage on fire. Playing four songs from his solo project, 6 from The White Stripes, and 2 from The Racounteers, there was not a second to catch your breath. It was incredible seeing Jack tell his band on stage what song he was gonna play, start the riff, and all of them to follow as if they had been playing the same set for decades. It was like staring up atop Mt. Everest to see a man with a Telecaster searching to see if there are any taller mountains to scale. There were no games, no big camera tricks, no massive inflatables. Just Jack and his band. The side screens showed a black and white live feed from a handful of angles, with the back screen completely black. You couldn’t focus on anything other than the music even if you wanted to. White finished with his biggest hit of his career, “Seven Nation Army” from The White Stripes record “Elephant”. Letting the crowd do the work leading into the final verse, the ensemble of festival goers echoed the iconic guitar line. A mainstay in American culture, and so iconic you can hear it now just thinking about it. White’s impact and performance are larger than life. He finished with the words “You’ve been incredible, and I’ve been Jack White”. Lights out.  

With a story, theatrics, and a planet needing saving, Weezer put on their final show of their expansive “Voyage to the Blue Planet” tour. It was an older setlist, starting off with the hits like “Island in the Sun” and “Pork and Beans”, some Pinkerton deep cuts, and finishing with the Blue Album in its entirety. This 21-song set ended with “Only In Dreams” and it’s blazing 4-minute-long solo underneath a fireworks display. It’s moments like that where you pinch yourself and ask if what you’re seeing and feeling is real. There are always times when I am moved by live music, especially at festivals. But standing there watching the final crescendo slowly fade out into that iconic bass line and ultimately drowned out by the sound of cheers, it is an experience that soothes the soul. Weezer has played the Blue Album 3 times at Riot Fest, and there is a reason for that. It’s a no skip album. Filled top to bottom with ear worms that have been mainstays in Riot Fest fans rotations for decades. I’m always eager to see Weezer play, and such a special show celebrating their debut was a joy to watch. 

I missed some great sets throughout Saturday including the back and forth of the Rise and Radical Stages. Hometown heroes Knuckle Puck playing their record “Copacetic” in full, then handed it over to Celtic Punk legends Dropkick Murphys. Running through 5 tracks off of their new record “For the People” and the rest of the hits you would want to see from the Boston favorites. The speakers were once again relayed next door for All Time Low to close out the duo of stages for the night. Over at the Rebel Stage, classic punk bands took the helm as Marky Ramone, The Buzzcocks and The Damned tore through their sets. With time extensions granted for a them in lieu of Frank Carter and The Sex Pistols cancellation, the bands made the most of the additional minutes. Arguably the busiest day at Riot Fest 2025 adjourned to continue the final chapter of the festival tomorrow.

SUNDAY

My day started a little later, as many 3-day attendees did as well. Between the running from stage to stage to standing for almost the entirety of the day, the body and immune system take a substantial hit. I was able to catch the tail end of The Smoking Popes play “Born to Quit”. That led into the punk duo Soft Play on the neighboring Radical Stage which was my first real introduction to them. Spending a healthy mix of time on stage, in the crowd, and sprawled over the barricade, Soft Play made a fan out of everyone who was within earshot.  

I continued my stage hopping to the Roots Stage to see Pegboy run through “Strong Reaction” and then over to the Rebel Stage to see The Ataris play “So Long, Astoria”. They would stick around Chicago, playing a surprise free set at The Cubby Bear the following night. There was an incredible difficult conflict with some of the best female led bands in the music world right now. All overlapping at different times were The Linda Linda’s, Lambrini Girls, and Dance Hall Crashers. I had the pleasure of seeing The Linda Linda’s open for Green Day last summer, so I took the opportunity to catch one of the hottest punk bands in the world, Lambrini Girls. Phoebe Lunny led the Brighton based group through a whirlwind set, and by the time their 30 minutes were up, you were shocked they weren’t given more time. When Lambrini Girls finished, I was still able to catch the final songs of Dance Hall Crasher’s return to Chicago. After their 21 years off of touring, they made their return for select Warped Tour dates and 3 others throughout the summer. I’m thankful I avoided a full Riot Fest without ska.  

I was hoping to catch a bit of Hanson but the technical difficulties the Riot Fest gods had other plans. As another unconventional pick, I was intrigued to see what the turn out would be, and it was massive. Sprawling all across the hill and farther back than most sets I’ve seen at the Rebel Stage, anticipation quickly grew into frustration as the minutes dragged on. I decided to leave after about 15 minutes to catch some songs by Microwave. A great live band that is always touring, I highly recommend. Once the Rebel Stage figured out their problems, Hanson only got to play 6 songs but threw in some curveballs. They brought out, for the second time in one weekend, Stephen Egerton of Descendants to play “Hope”. Now considering Egerton joined two bands on stage throughout the weekend to play this song I probably would have seen either of them. Nope. I missed both. I also missed Descendants set in 2024 due to another conflict. I wonder if I’ll ever see the band at this point.  

I settled in at the Riot Stage for the night, with a lineup of Bad Religion, Idles, Jawbreaker, and Green Day, it was a no brainer. I was disappointed to miss out on Texas Is the Reason, The Wonder Years, and Inhaler, but tough decisions have to be made. I knew my opportunities to see Jawbreaker are limited, and knowing this was Idles last date on the schedule put my mind at ease with the decision. Bad Religion was electric, hitting 9 of their hits before plunging into their 1988 record “Suffer”.  High paced and proving they still have much more left in the tank after 45 years.  

Idles. If you have not listened to Idles. Listen to Idles. My new favorite band out of the weekend, Idles put on an incredible set with an invasive relationship with the crowd’s personal space. Whether it be the music, or themselves, Idles found every single person in the crowd, spun them around, and implanted a song in their mind. I had educated myself a little going into their set, I enjoyed their song with LCD Soundsystem “Dancer”, but that was about it. Until they grabbed me by the shoulders and shook me until I added the rest of their set to my playlist. Joe Talbot is an eccentric and intoxicating front man, stirring up a constant ruckus in the crowd. He has humility though, allowing lead guitarist Mark Bowen to frolic around the stage shirtless with an objectively impressive mustache. The selflessness doesn’t stop there, as they made room of the unparalleled Jack White to shred on their tune “Never Fight a Man with a Perm”. That was the first of two collaborations Idles hosted on their stage as Soft Play accompanied for a rambunctious edition of “Rottweiler”. Sandwiched in between these two larger than life tunes was Idles’ only cover of their set, “All I Want For Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey. Although it was just over 3 months until Boxing Day Eve, it made me wonder why more bands don’t cover this song. Everyone knows it, everyone loves it, why not? A pleasant surprise to say the least. Idles is a can’t miss gig.  

Jawbreaker followed dusting off their collection of tunes. There hasn’t been any new releases from the bay area natives since their 1995 record “Dear You”, so although hitting 4 tracks off the latest LP, you would have had to be well over 35 to remember its release. Legendary Chicago producer, the late Steve Albini worked hand in hand with Jawbreaker for their 1994 record “24 Hour Revenge Therapy”. Albini had an impressive resume, including working with The Pixies on “Surfer Rosa”, Nirvana on “In Utero”, and a slew of other bands including The Jesus Lizard, PJ Harvey, and 2025 Riot Fest players Superchunk. Jawbreaker kept their set brief and loose, playing through 12 songs having to cut the final tune “Kiss The Bottle” for time constraints. This was the first time Jawbreaker and Green Day have shared the same bill since September 4^th, 1991 at the Davis Teen Center in Oakland. Riot Fest has been a special place for Jawbreaker, it was a major catalyst for their reunion in 2017, as this is their third time returning to the festival since. While listening to their set, you quickly realize how many bands you’ve listened to that have taken a bit or piece from Jawbreaker. Whether it be the little hooks that Jimmy Eat World built “Bleed American” on or the vocal punch of Fall Out Boy, there are strands of Jawbreaker bleeding from each one.  

With Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” drenching the speakers, the final band of Riot Fest 2025 was about to take the stage. You couldn’t have written a better ending for the festival. Starting with 2 nights in November of 2005 at the 3,500 capacity Congress Theatre, Riot Fest evolved into a sold out, 3-day long, park-wide festival housing the biggest bands in the world. I think Sunday’s headliner combination really showcases how Riot fest has grown and retained its thesis at the same time. Having the final two slots played by a “truly punk”, underground, never signed to a major label band in Jawbreaker and the other played by a band that has headlined Coachella, Lollapalooza, and every major stadium and festival in the world. They expanded, and held on to themselves staying completely independent. They whole festival has my utmost respect. 

Billie Joe Armstrong, Tre Cool, and Mike Dirnt ran on stage tailed by Kevin Tyler Preston, Jason Freese, and Jason White. These gentlemen make up Green Day and its touring band. One of the very final dates of their length “Saviors World Tour”, Armstrong and company blasted through their monstrous reserve of songs. Hitting tunes from their most recent record “Saviors”, along with the song “Going to Passalacqua” off their first full length release on Lookout Records “1039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hours” from 1991. This performance was a well-deserved victory lap for the band. The 4^th to last gig on Green Day’s extensive tour spanning 106 shows, 88 cities, and 33 countries, but they preserved their infectious energy from the very start of the tour. Playing a handful of deep cuts like “The Grouch” from 1997’s Nimrod, “She” from Dookie, and the rarely played “Revolution Radio” from the album sharing the same name, they gave a lot to the hardcore fan. 23 songs and countless “Hey-O’s” later, the final G chord of “Good Riddance” was strum. Fireworks painted the sky, confetti fell with the final gusts of the summer wind, and Billie Joe sang the first verse and chorus to “Chicago (That Toddlin’ Town)” by Fred Fisher. A heartfelt ending to my favorite weekend of the year. Tre Cool brought out a bucket of sticks, tossed some amongst the crowd, and then the bucket soared onto his zebra printed Ludwig drum kit. The night, and festival, had come to an end. 

Riot Fest makes me fall in love with music over and over again. Whether it be lifelong favorites of mine like The Beach Boys and The Pogues, or fresh groups like Harrison Gordon and Knuckle Puck, I keep finding myself smiling like a kid on Christmas watching these bands. I am looking forward to next year’s festival, what headliners they’ll grab, the smaller acts I’ll fall in love with, and surprises they have in store. Riot Fest is idiosyncratic, and I feel so lucky to have it right next door. You can hear more about my experience with Riot Fest on “Downey’s Hour”, Monday Nights from 9-11pm.

Cover Photo: Anthony Linh Nguyen

The post KRUI’s Riot Fest 2025 Recap appeared first on KRUI Radio.

Allianz Stage

One of the first bands of the day is recent Iowa City visitors Arm’s Length. These Canadian DIY stars have been making waves since their debut record ”Never Before Seen, Never Again Found” in 2022. They’ve toured with the likes of Silverstein, The Wonder Years and will be opening up for Hot Mulligan later this fall. They released their second record “There’s A Whole World Out There” in May and will continue their busy stretch in the Europe next year.  They play bright and early at 11:50.

California punks DRAIN will make an appearance at 1:35 as a stop on their tour supporting fellow WWWY players Khublai Khan TX. On November 7^th, they’ll be dropping their latest LP “… IS YOUR FRIEND” through Epitaph Records. Their loud and brash sound lead to memorable pits and plenty of crowd surfing. Make sure to stretch before this set.

Right next door to where I grew up, The Plain White T’s have been making music for 28 years. Starting in the Chicago suburb of Lombard, Illinois, Tom Higgins started writing tunes and would later churn out hits like “Rhythm of Love” and “Hey There Delilah”. Their latest record, bearing the same name as their band, mixed their punk upbringings with the acoustic guitars that brought them fame. You can listen to their 2023 record “Plain White T’s” here and catch them at 2:45.

PVRIS has become a mainstay in the alternative music world after their hit debut album “White Noise”. Lynn Gunn has dug her heels in opening up for the likes of Fall Out Boy, The Smashing Pumpkins, Linkin Park and many more. After 2023’s “EVERGREEN” hit shelves, Gunn has continued to release music with “F.I.L.T.H.” released in 2024. Her most recent release was a rerecord of “My House” with Courtney LaPlante of Spiritbox this past February. PVRIS plays at 3:20.

Later on in the evening, Loathe will be taking the stage at 7:25 as their first dates of a hefty 28 date U.S. headline tour with Trauma Ray and Spy. The English metal band have been climbing up the ladder quickly getting opening slots for fellow When We Were Young players Knocked Loose in 2024. Loathe just release their latest single, “Gifted Every Strength” in May of this year.  

A personal favorite of mine, Jack’s Mannequin, plays the Allianz Stage at 8:00. One of Andrew McMahon’s projects, Jack’s Mannequin stands out amongst the rest with it’s piano led compositions. McMahon, of Something Corporate and Andrew McMahon and the Wilderness fame, has been busy reuniting with his groups touring with Something Corporate in 2024 for the first time in 14 years. Jacks Mannequin also made its long awaited return with their first gig in Las Vegas since 2011. You can see a full list of their tour dates here. 

If you’re searching for mosh pits this weekend, look no further than the final acts on the Allianz Stage. Kublai Khan TX has engulfed the metalcore scene since their debut in 2009, and have not slowed down. Dropping 5 full length LP’s and a collection of EP’s throughout the past 16 years, the Texas stars released their most recent single, “The Moment of Corsicana” in September. Kublai Khan TX plays at 9:45. The final act of the night is an absolute treat as well. Members of Gulch, Hands of God, Spinebreaker, Lead Dream, and fellow When We Were Young players DRAIN all joined forces in 2019 to create the hardcore outfit SUNAMI. Hailing from San Jose, SUNAMI has been touring what feels non stop for the past 4 years hitting North America, Europe, Asia and Australia throughout the years. They released their first full length LP, “SUNAMI LP”, in 2023 and will headline the Allianz Stage at 10:20.

Ghost Stage

The Ghost Stage will be hosting 18 bands throughout the day, including pop punk favorites The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus and We the Kings. Playing at 12:10 and 2:30 respectively, these Warped Tour alum are known for their high energy performances and pumping out the same energy they have been dishing out for almost 2 decades.  

At 3:05, The Cab make their long awaited return after an 11 year hiatus and 14 years since their most recent Las Vegas gig. Their first music since the break, “Road to Reign: A Prelude” was released on September 26^th this year. They have been making the rounds since their return, embarking on a tour with fellow WWWY players Mayday Parade and All Time Low. WWWY alum The Paradox are also on the tour, and they will be playing a show with Hawthorne Heights, Plain White T’s, and more at The Strat in Las Vegas on Oct 17^th.  

The Maine are a southwest emo band that doesn’t have to travel far to Vegas from their home of Tempe, Arizona. They are working on their 10^th record now after dropping one unreleased song from each previous album entitled “Dyed (2008-2023)”. Following The Maine who play at 4:15 is The Gaslight Anthem, who just wrapped up a lengthy summer tour with Counting Crows. Since returning from their hiatus in 2022, The Gaslight Anthem have released the album “History Books” with frontman Brain Fallon sharing vocal duties with Bruce Springsteen on the title track. The Gaslight Anthem plays at 4:50.

Keeping up their busy year, Bad Religion will hit the Ghost Stage at 5:25. When We Were Young are the bands final dates of the year before sharing the stage with The Offspring this winter throughout the northern U.S. and Canada. Year 45 of the band has shown no signs of slowly down with their performances still holding youthful punk energy they have always had.  

Taking Back Sunday makes their third appearance at When We Were Young at 6:45 on the Ghost Stage. Following a sideshow with letlive. and Straylight Run on Friday night, Adam Lazzara will lead the band in one of their first gigs since their summer tour with Coheed and Cambria and Foxing. Taking Back Sunday’s 2023 record “152” was the bands first in 7 years, marking their territory as active scene legends who have rightfully earned back to back appearances at this festival. 

Pink Stage

Entering year 10 of Destroy Boys, Alexia Roditis and Violet Mayugba have delivered time and time again. After 2024’s “Funeral Soundtrack #4” that received a 4/5 from Kerrang!, they have only continued their live presence touring with likes of Pierce the Veil and blink-182. The final North American dates of the year, Destroy Boys are a great way to start your day at 12:20 

Continuing their year of festivals, Knocked Loose will play the Pink Stage at 4:05. The Louisville natives will travel to Las Vegas before they embark on an Australian tour in December. Knocked Loose’s 2024 “You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To” accelerated their path to stardom, earning them a Grammy nomination for the single “Suffocate” featuring Poppy. Knocked Loose will appear in front of European’s eyes as they open for Metallica next summer, and they will be in front of your eyes on the Pink Stage at 4:05.

The Used are in the midst of a landmark year for the band. In celebration of 25 years as a band, Bert McCracken and company have taken up residencies for three nights at venues throughout this year. Each night, playing either “Self Titled”, “In Love and Death”, or “Lies for the Liars” in full along with a rotating selection of hits from their other records. A feat that very few bands have the catalogue to pursue this, and the fans fill up the same venue three nights in a row. The western natives’ third appearance and second consecutive showing at When We Were Young at 5:25. 

Mark Hoppus, Tom DeLonge, and Travis Barker come back to When We Were Young to headline for the second time. With their previous appearance coming off the heels of the most recent record “ONE MORE TIME…”, the trio that makes up blink-182 has been playing a wide pool of songs off their 10 albums in 2025. This includes a half dozen tunes from my personal favorite record “Take Off Your Pants and Jacket”. These are the final dates of the year and of their “Missionary Impossible” tour for blink. They took out a wide variety of bands on their tour including Scowl, End It, and Drug Church. Showcasing these up and coming bands to their wide audience is an amazing thing to see. blink-182 will headline the Pink Stage at 8:25 

7-Eleven Stage

Mayday Parade carries on with their busy year at 12:55. A band like Mayday Parade this early in the day is a sure-fire way to get people in the door fast. After wrapping up a tour with fellow When We Were Young players Jack’s Mannequin, and in the midst of their current slot supporting All Time Low along with The Cab, Mayday Parade put out 2 records this year “Sweet” and “Sad”. Continuing their streak of exceptional releases Derek Sanders, Alex Garcia, Brooks Betts, Jeremy Lenzo, and Jake Bundrick push like very few do after 2 decades.  

If you are in search of dozens of people in Scooby-Doo onesies, you should make your way to the 7-Eleven stage at 3:25. Boasting a catalog of favorites that you’ve heard for years, Simple Plan make their third consecutive appearance at When We Were Young. Even with “no pads and helmets”, the pit for the Montreal Natives is a great spot to find yourself in the afternoon.  

Coming through Des Moines on October 29^th, All Time Low will continue their “Everyone’s Talking!” tour at When We Were Young. Jumping headfirst into the scene in 2007 with “Dear Maria, Count Me In” off “So Wrong, It’s Right”, there is no denying their star power at the festival and in the pop punk world. Dropping a brand new album, sharing the same name of their tour, the day before the festival leaves me with hope to hear some brand new tracks from the Maryland favorites at 4:45.  

269 miles southwest of Las Vegas, The Offspring began in 1984. Coming out of Garden Grove, California, Dexter Holland and Kevin John Wasserman, better known as Noodles, started jamming playing under the name Manic Subsidal. After 2 years and a name change, there was no stopping them. Releasing 11 studio records, including their latest in 2024 with “Supercharged”, The Offspring continue to put out great music and memorable live shows. On their most recent tour, Noodles and company paid tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne with snippets of “Electric Funeral”, “Paranoid”, and “Crazy Train”. The Offspring will take the stage at 6:05 

Weezer. I can’t get enough of Weezer. Creating quality tunes since 1994, Rivers Cuomo, Patrick Wilson, Brian Bell, and Matt Sharp have all combined to be one of the most successful bands of the past 30 years. After wrapping up their final show of the “Voyage to the Blue Planet” tour in September, Weezer will play their last North American dates of the year. After sending out multiple videos teasing album 20 in the past month, the California based band will jump through their collection of hits at 7:35. They are always a cant miss set. 

The long-awaited return of Panic! At the Disco is upon us. Nearly 3 years after their last US gig, Brendan Urie will return to the stage in his hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada playing “A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out” in full. Promising a set containing of the seminal debut album and more, there is nowhere else anyone in the scene would rather be. Holding enough time for the record and some hits afterwords, the anticipation is high for the first glimpse of Panic! in years. Returning to the record that made so many people fall in love with not only the band, but the scene, will be a joy to witness. Panic! At the Disco will close out When We Were Young at 10:00. 

When We Were Young 2025 is here. One day filled with all of my favorite bands, what more could a guy ask for. Tickets for Sunday are still available here. Stay tuned with KRUI for interviews from the festival and a recap of this incredible festival. Listen to Downey’s Hour on KRUI 89.7fm, Monday nights 9-11, for your latest music festival news!

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On Wednesday, Sharon Van Etten will have a busy day between her free to attend conversation with Iowa City native author Rachel Yoder at 1:00 pm, and her performance with her band at The Englert Theatre at 7:30. The Attachment Theory has become the latest creative outlet in the 18-year career she has had so far. Releasing their first record in February of this past year, Van Etten and The Attachment Theory bring their fresh post-punk sound to Iowa City for the first time. Calling on her heroes like Joy Division, Cocteau Twins, and Roy Orbison, this is a can’t miss performance by Van Etten playing a mix of her solo work and one of 2025’s best records. The performance will be opened by alternative artist Helado Negro, whose 2024 record “Phasor” got an 8.3 from Pitchfork.  

Infinite Dream Festival will continue to host a collection of free conversations in the Old Capitol Museum’s Senate Chamber. Roger Gueveneur Smith will be speaking with University of Iowa Professor Caroline Clay at 1:00pm on Friday, September 19^th. Smith is an accomplished actor, becoming a favorite of Spike Lee and starring in a handful of his films throughout the past 30 years. In addition to his conversation, Roger Gueveneur Smith will be performing 2 of his one man plays, In Honor of Jean-Michel Basquit: A Personal Tribute to a Revolutionary Artist at The James Theater on Friday night at 7:30pm. This play showcases Smith’s personal friendship with Jean-Michel Basquit who was a neo-expressionist artist who passed away in 1988 at age 27. Basquit’s piece Untitled sold in 2017 for a then US record $110.5M and his works have only continued to grow in value.  

Smith’s second performance will take place at The James Theater the following night on Saturday the 20^th at 6:00pm. This play, Frederick Douglass NOW, studies the life of the abolitionist and freedom fighter. With his writings arguably more relevant than ever, Smith combined his works with jazz to create this special production.  

Comedian and Daily Show host Josh Johnson will be coming to Iowa City for both a conversation and a special stand-up performance. He will be speaking at 2:00 on Saturday September 20^th with fellow comedian and University of Iowa Professor Megan Gogerty. Johnson will also be performing at a sold-out Hancher Auditorium to close out the festival. 

Hancher will be hosting 2 on stage events including “Farmhouse/Whorehouse: An artist lecture by Suzanne Bocangera starring Lili Taylor” Thursday at 6:30pm and “32 Sounds: A film by Sam Green with music by JD Samson & sound design by Mark Mangini” on Friday night at 6:30pm. Club Hancher will also be busy with performances by José James and Iowa City local Jim Swim in Strauss Hall at 8:30pm on Thursday night along with Alan Sparhawk and His Band followed by a DJ Set by JD Samson Friday night at 9:00. 

Esteemed University of Iowa author and poet Kaveh Akbar will be in conversation with the executive director of the University of Iowa’s Office of Writing and Communication Daniel Khalastchi. This will be the one event at the Voxman Music Building throughout the festival. On the river at the Lagoon House, there will be an interactive experience exploring all of the different aspects of the environment and humans that braid us into one. Called “Meandering River” and put together by University Professors, this event involves soundscapes, dancers, and more. This is a unique adventure only found at the Infinite Dream Festival.  

Iowa City continues to hold its crown as a center for literature and the arts, welcoming in performers of all different kinds from all over the country. While some events are sold out, festival and day passes are still available allowing access to all the events throughout the festival. You can find passes and more information here. 

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Friday

RIOT STAGE 

Friday is incredible strong from the start of the day, up and coming DIY legends Harrison Gordon will be opening the Riot Stage from 12:30-1:00. Their debut album “The Yuppies Are Winning” made waves in the DIY scene as they embark on a headline tour this fall, including a stop at Gabe’s in Iowa City. Honey Revenge is also fresh on the scene with their debut single “Miss Me” being released in 2021. Inspired by the likes of Paramore, Pierce the Veil, and Hannah Montana, this fun and exciting pop punk duo will be a fun show. They play from 3:00-3:40. 

Rico Nasty, one of the few hip hop picks for this year, will be playing the Riot Stage from 4:30-5:10. She began releasing mixtapes over a decade ago in 2014, and has put out 3 full length LP’s, including her 2020 debut “Nightmare Vacation” which reached #1 on the US Heat charts.  

Touring partners Alkaline Trio and blink-182 will be tag teaming the top two slots on the Riot Stage while on their “Missionary Impossible Tour”. Alkaline Trio guitarist Matt Skiba took over guitar duties for blink-182 from 2015-2022 during Tom DeLonge’s absence. With no bad blood amongst the groups, Skiba joined blink on stage for their song “Bored to Death”, the first single released form Skiba-era blink-182. Alkaline Trio plays their record “Maybe I’ll Catch Fire” in full form 6:20-7:20 and blink-182 will play from 8:30-10:00.  

ROOTS STAGE 

Local band La Rosa Noir will play the first half hour on the Roots Stage from 12:00-12:30 on Friday. Riot Fest takes on 3 local artists each year, it’s an important tradition that makes Riot Fest, Riot Fest. The Barbarians of California will take the stage next, as a side project of Aaron Bruno who is the lead singer of Awolnation. This hardcore outfit from California will play from 1:05-1:35. 

The Roots Stage will be headlined by one of the hottest bands in hardcore, Knocked Loose. Known for their heavy riffs, pig squeals, and wall of death, Knocked Loose has become a must see and main stage regular at festivals around the globe. With a Grammy nomination and an appearance “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” this year, Knocked Loose is on the precipice of superstardom. They will be playing from 7:25-8:25.

REBEL STAGE 

Big Ass Truck I.E. will rip into their loud and brash set from 12:50-1:20 on the Rebel Stage. The I.E. was added to their name after a lawsuit by another band that goes by the same name. I.E. stands for “Inland Empire” due to their origin from the inland part of California in San Bernadino. 

The Rebel Stage will live up to its name as two Irish punk bands will be playing the final slots of the night. From 7:00-8:00, Stiff Little Fingers will play, followed by The Pogues first show in Chicago since 2011 from 8:30-10:00. Formed in the shadow of The Troubles from the North of Ireland, Stiff Little Fingers doesn’t shy away from attacking the tyrannical and authoritarian in their music. Irish Punk legends The Pogues will be celebrating the 40^th anniversary of their record “Rum, Sodomy, and the Lash” by playing it in full to close out the night. 

“WEIRD AL” YANKOVICS WEIRD WORLD STAGE 

Riot Fest prides themselves on its off the wall picks, and Friday will be no exception. In a very similar fashion to NOFX hosting a stage all weekend last year, the one and only “Weird Al” Yankovic will be hosting the “Weird World Stage” on Friday. Comedian Emo Phillips will MC the stage for the 5 handpicked bands by Weird Al. Making the journey all the way from Japan, Shonen Knife will be opening the stage which will also host Mac Sabbath (a Black Sabbath and metal tribute band dressed up as McDonald’s Mascots), along with Puddles Pity Party (a clown who sings sad songs). The iconic pop pioneers and composers of the bizarre Adam Driver musical “Annette,” Sparks will also be playing the stage leading into Weird Al’s headline set. A wild stage with, frankly, an insanely cool collection of bands awaits you at the Weird World Stage. 

RADICAL STAGE 

Playing next to the Weird World Stage, the Radical Stage will house some great bands throughout the day. Stage headliner Rilo Kiley makes their triumphant return, as Jenny Lewis of The Postal Service and her solo work leads this band in their first tour in 17 years. They will be playing from 5:55-6:55.   

Saturday

RIOT STAGE 

If you wanted to plant yourself at the Riot Stage all day, you’d be in for a treat. New indie rock outfit Wishy will start the day, followed by LA hardcore band Militaire Gun, and then into the electric punk group Superchunk. English 80’s band James make their Chicago return after their most recent coheadlining tour was brought to The Riveria Theatre with Johnny Marr of The Smith’s.  

We wouldn’t have Riot Stage’s headliner if it wasn’t for its #2 band. America’s finest band, The Beach Boys, will make their Riot Fest debut. Taking up the drums for The Beach Boys will be long time Riot Fest avoider John Stamos. With a full-size butter statue made in his honor last year, and a list of demands for this year, he will finally attend with the band. They will play from 6:20-7:20. 

Weezer will be ringing their “Voyage To The Blue Planet” tour to Riot Fest this year as an extension of their 30 year anniversary of the self titled debut album that brought them so much fame. With the Blue Album being played in full, a visit to “The Pinkerton Asteroid Belt”, and a trip trough a collection of their hits, Weezer will play from 8:30-10:00. 

ROOTS STAGE 

Girl In A Coma make their return to Chicago for the first time since 2008 from 1:10-1:40. Later, The Front Bottoms will play their 2015 record “Back On Top” in full from 5:15-6:15. They’ll play an aftershow as well on this anniversary tour that is being opened up by Chicago favorite and Gabe’s alum Sincere Engineer. The incomparable Jack White will be headlining the Roots Stage from 7:25-8:25. He returns to Chicago for his 5^th show in the past 12 months after performing at Reggie’s and The Metro in October of last year and 2 nights at The Salt Shed in April.  

REBEL STAGE 

Traveling from “the deepest reaches of outer space”, GWAR makes their seemingly annual visit to Douglass Park. With countless prosthetics and gallons of fake bodily fluid, GWAR is not for the faint of heart, but a spectacle, nonetheless.  

Heavy on the classic punk, the Rebel Stage will have aftershow mates Marky Ramone and the Buzzcocks playing back to back from 5:30-6:30 and 7:00-8:00 respectably. With the absence of Frank Carter and The Sex Pistols headlining this stage due to a broken hand for guitarist Steve Jones, punk legends The Damned will take over that duty from 8:30-9:30. 

RISE STAGE 

Some of the most electric young bands will be taking on the Rise Stage including Cliffdiver, Free Throw, and Citizen. Now Free Throw and Citizen have both been around for well over a decade (which is nothing compared to some other bands on the lineup), but emo darlings Cliffdiver released their second LP “birdwatching” just last year. They are an electric live band and seeing them get on a major festival bill is amazing to see.  

Chicago favorites Knuckle Puck will play their breakout record “Copacetic” in full for the second time this year in Chicago. First came back in January to a sold-out Salt Shed, now second will be playing from 5:20-6:20 on the Rise Stage. After “Copacetic” finishes up, All Time Low will take the stage from 7:30-8:30. They will also be making an appearance in Iowa later this fall on October 29^th at Vibrant Music Hall. 

RADICAL STAGE 

Helmet will make their Chicago return after having to cancel their most previous tour, playing their album “Betty” front to back from 2:50-3:50, with The Bouncing Souls following suite playing their 2001 record “How I Spent My Summer Vacation” from 4:30-5:15. 

With a heavy Irish presence at the 20^th edition of Riot Fest, the Radical Stage will feature Dropkick Murphy’s as their stage’s headliner. With a combination of traditional Irish music with a few shots of classic punk Ken Casey and company will run through their hits and their new album “For The People” that includes a tribute to former Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan.  

Sunday

RIOT STAGE 

Hosting 3 album plays, the Riot Stage will be busy from start to finish on Sunday. The Effegies will play “For Ever Grounded”, Zero Boys will play “Vicious Cycle”, and Screeching Weasel run through “My Brain Hurts” all before the clock hits 5:00. IDLES will be make a stop as their busy year continues with opening dates for Deftones and My Chemical Romance. From 6:05-7:05, IDLES’ rise to stardom continues at a blistering pace. 

Former touring mates, The Linda Lindas and Green Day will come back together for the first time since Green Day’s North American leg of “The Saviors Tour” wrapped up last year. Green Day will be playing the longest set of the festival, closing it out from 8:15-10:00. They are only the second band to ever play unopposed at Riot Fest, first being done by The Cure in 2023. 

ROOTS STAGE 

One of the punk world’s newest bands, The Paradox, will open up the Roots Stage. They were accompanied on stage by blink-182’s Travis Barker at Warped Tour earlier this summer as they begin a busy stretch opening up for All Time Low on their fall tour. The Paradox bring the tally of Green Day opener’s playing Sunday at Riot Fest to 2 as they took the stage at Truist Park in Atlanta last summer. 

Ska legends Dance Hall Crashers began their comeback tour this past year and will make a stop at Riot Fest from 3:25-4:05. Brothers John Haggerty (Naked Raygun) and Joe Haggerty (The Effegies) will be bringing their band Pegboy to play their record “Strong Reaction” in full as well as Bad Religion playing through the entirety of “Suffer” as the sun begins to set on Riot Fest 2025. Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz started Epitaph Records in 1981 and have gone on to put out records for countless bands at Riot Fest including Weezer, The Linda Lindas, and Alkaline Trio. 

Jawbreaker will play the final slot on the Roots Stage from 7:10-8:10 marking 8 years since Riot Fest brough them back from the dead to headline 2017. Chicago has always been good to Jawbreaker as they embark on their “The Chill of Fall Tour”.  

REBEL STAGE 

Boasting a busy day with 9 bands playing the stage, there is a lot to see at the Rebel Stage. There is everything from Chase Petra (who recently came through Iowa playing with Origami Angel and Saturdays @ Your Place) to Hanson famous for their song “MMMBop” all on the same stage. Later in the day, Fueled By Ramen legends Gym Class Heroes and Cobra Starship will take the stage. Cobra Starship are on their comeback tour, after a decade of no live shows, they began their resurgence at When We Were Young festival last year. 

RISE STAGE 

Chicago legends Smoking Popes will be playing their record “Born to Quit” from 1:40-2:25 in full. Not long after, new scene favorites, Lambrini Girls will take the stage from 3:05-3:35. The busy day continues with Microwave’s make up set from a rained out 2023, The Wonder Years, and Ireland’s Inhaler closing the stage out for the festival.  

RADICAL STAGE 

A personal favorite of mine, indie rockers Weakened Friends will take to the stage bright and early at 12:00 to start the final day of the festival. Track Zero veterans, DEHD, will make their Riot fest debut from 4:50-5:30 with their fun and danceable tunes. Riot fest got a lot of reunions for their 20^th anniversary, and with only 77 U.S. shows in their 30-year history, Texas Is The Reason returns with their brief but impactful discography to headline the Radical Stage from 6:25-7:10.  

AFTERSHOWS 

If a full day in the sun isn’t for you, you have schedule conflicts during the day, or you don’t want the fun to end at 10:00, Riot Fest also puts on a collection of aftershows throughout Chicago’s collection of independent venues. Starting on Wednesday and running through the weekend, there are bands playing the fest like Delta Sleep, in addition to Naked Raygun coming out of the woodwork to headline The Metro for the first time since 2013. Almost half of them are sold out, you can find the list of shows here. 

Riot Fest, even while sharing a headliner with Coachella, still holds DIY values at heart. From uplifting local artists, to hosting camps in Douglass Park during festival offseason, there is a distinct feeling only found at Riot Fest. You can find the full daily schedule below and design your own here. 3-Day GA passes are sold out, but 1-day and 2-day tickets can still be found here. 

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FRIDAY

You could feel the energy from zip codes away. Although the music didn’t start until Friday afternoon, the camping portion of this festival opened its gates on Thursday to a rested and energetic group. This year was about a 50/50 split of Iowans and travelers, providing a wide range fans eager to see this incredible lineup.

Friday kicked off with one of my personal favorite bands from the weekend, Scowl, coming off of their second album Are We All Angels with an absolutely electric set. An incredible band and great group of people, I had the chance to interview the band after their set and talk about everything from their opening sets with Blink-182 this fall to what was left on the cutting-room floor from their recording sessions. Stay tuned to Downey’s Hour, Monday Nights 9-11pm, for the interview!  

A monumental task following Scowl, INJI and Good Neighbours had the bar set high. INJI took the crowd in and made them dance, a very joyful set to watch. The energy from her was magnetic and the good vibes continued with the Australian group Good Neighbours. You can’t go wrong with indie rock in the summer, and they brought with them tracks off their upcoming debut LP, Blue Sky Mentality.

Rebecca Black took the stage next, demanding the crowd’s attention and movement. There were very few moments in which her commands were not being followed by the pit. Black covered Katy Perry’s “Ur So Gay,” as she has been opening for Perry’s arena tour all summer. Her set included an interpolation of her hit “Friday” and a track off her brand new record, Sugar Water Cyanide. This wasn’t the only sighting of Rebecca Black as she held a booming DJ set at the campfire stage later that night.

Royal Otis came up next with more upbeat indie rock, taking on covers of the Cranberries’ “Linger” and Sophie Ellis Bextor’s “Murder on the Dancefloor.” Royal Otis knew how to work a festival crowd and enjoyed every second of it. Right after the duo was Remi Wolf, one of the hottest new names on the festival circuit this year. With her incredible live band, including poet and member of Paramore and Vampire Weekend Brian Roberts Jones, it was a nonstop party.

Following Remi Wolf was the sub headliner, Clairo, who waltzed on stage with her band, all holding wine glasses, setting the tone for the relaxed and elevated evening of music she was about to provide for us. With headphones on and an amazing record to showcase, Clairo played a 14-song set, with half of the tracks coming from her third LP, Charm. I adored this set for many reasons, but a huge one was all of the analog instruments being used on stage. A wide range of winds, horns, and synths were all included in this set. A favorite part was multi-instrumentalist Hailey Niswanger setting St. Charles on fire with a saxophone solo that could have woken up a sick toddler on Benadryl who just spent all day in the sun at Disneyland. The band all exited the stage in the same leisurely fashion they had entered, but with the confidence of knowing they had just made thousands of new fans.

Ending Friday night on the main stage was Tyler, The Creator. Coming off his brand-new record Don’t Tap the Glass, anticipation was high for the first hip hop headliner in Hinterland history. A bright green shipping container was flipped from the back of the stage to show the word Chromokopia (the album Tyler has been touring) until stagehands unrolled a big red banner with the most recent record’s title draped over it. Asking the crowd, “Des Moines what’s good,” Tyler made his way on top of the shipping container, where he would spend the next 75 minutes putting on an unforgettable show and complimenting, “I don’t even know where I am on the map, but your town is beautiful.” Opening his set with the first two tracks off Don’t Tap the Glass before jumping straight into almost the entirety of side one of Chromokopia. With a career-spanning set with songs from all but one of his records, Tyler left everything out on the stage. He spoke highly of the energy we brought, mentioning how taxing this tour has been but how crowds like Hinterland make it all worth it. Tyler hustled from Lollapalooza to St. Charles, then right back on a plane to Montreal the next night for Osheaga. Hinterland got the best set of the weekend with four more songs than either fest. An incredible day with a jaw-dropping headliner, Hinterland blasted itself forward on the strongest foot possible.

SATURDAY

Hinterland’s undercard continued to impress with hey, nothing running onto the stage to start the day with the energy of a headliner. They’ll be returning to Des Moines opening for Cage the Elephant in October. I walked into Saturday knowing the least out of the three days, but walked away with so many new songs to add to my playlist. Willow Avalon was a pleasant surprise as she might have been my favorite of the day. During a quick seven songs, including an unreleased track called “Work To Do,” the crowd was swept up on the wave of her soft voice and set lightly back down with the feeling of a lullaby in our hearts.

Hinterland each year seems to book artists who blow up from the time of the lineup announcement to the festival, and this year that included both Gigi Perez and Role Model. I hadn’t been a listener to either before this year, but the excitement around both of these artists led to can’t miss sets. Gigi Perez hitting half of the songs off of her breakout record At the Beach, In Every Life to a loud crowd shouting back words of every song. Role Model also held the crowd in his hand for his big hit “Sally,” where he brought out lead singer of The Marías, María Zardoya. Sandwiched in between Perez and Role Model was another one of the hottest new groups, Glass Beams. Taking the stage masked and with instruments in hand, their type of music was yet to be heard ever before at Hinterland. The trio grooved along with an interesting and new fusion of alt and psychedelic rock mixed with traditional Indian music.

Still Woozy brought some fun set pieces and interesting visuals drawing in attention from the whole hill. It was a fun and fresh vibe Sven Eric Gamsky and company created for their time, getting folks up to dance and sing to their infectious tracks. After Still Woozy, The Marías took the stage to thunderous applause and rightfully so. The Marías showed Hinterland why they’re one of the hottest groups on the festival scene by playing so many songs it felt like a headlining set. I love a band who brings their set pieces to a festival and The Marías were bouncing around theirs for a full hour.

At the end of the night, turf was spread and shrubbery was placed as Kacey Musgraves‘ festival run of her Deeper Well tour hit St Charles. To a colorful and lush backdrop, Musgraves came out sporting butterfly wings, jet black hair, and a tobacco-burst Gibson acoustic. Hitting four tracks off of her brand new record, seven off of her Grammy Award-winning Golden Hour, and a scattering of her earlier works, Musgraves’ 17 songs felt like a story time of who she was, is, and wants to be. An incredibly moving set anchored by her six-piece backing band. A lovely send-off for the night into our final day on the festival grounds.

SUNDAY

Sunday began with Detroit-based rapper Sam Austins, who took the stage to a fairly full festival grounds thanks to the thousands of campers for headliner Lana Del Rey. Austins brought the crowd even closer to the stage, getting legs tired from dancing as the day was just beginning. Irish rocker Orla Gartland followed with a quick set of tracks off of her new record Everybody Needs A Hero, and a cover of Chappell Roan’s “Red Wine Supernova.” The energetic trio made this stop on their way out west opening up for Glass Animals.

Wyatt Flores and Evan Honer both played great sets earlier on in the day, with Wyatt coming out to sing their duet “Take Me As I Come” and Honer joining Flores for a cover of The Fray’s “How To Save A Life” during his set. Flores played another cover, Sturgill Simpsons “You Can Have the Crown,” where he attempted the nearly impossible task of making a Sturgill Simpson song feel like his own, and succeeded at that challenge. They both hustled up to Des Moines after their set to play another show at the Val Air Ballroom that night, but it didn’t stop them from making memorable sets while they were in St. Charles. Michael Marcagi was sandwiched in between and was a great artist to transition in between these two collaborators. With a fun and upbeat set, holding its own emotional moments, Marcagi made time for it all including an acoustic cover of Olivia Rodrigo’s “deja vu.”

Sierra Ferrell continued to move her way into my playlists with an incredible set, kicked off by her band singing “Happy Birthday” to her in front of a sold-out Hinterland crowd. She opened with a fiddle in her hands, singing “I Could Drive You Crazy” off of her most recent record Trail Of Flowers. Between the finger picking and fiddling, Sierra Ferrell makes every audience not only a fan of her work, but a fan of this old-time country folk genre. She’s joined the likes of Billy Strings, Jesse Welles, and Zach Bryan in collaborations in just the past few years, and rightfully so, as Ferrell has launched into becoming one of the faces of the genre. During her set, eyes were taken off of her and directed towards the sky as three hot air balloons floated over the festival grounds. Exchanging waves from the atmosphere and the ground, it was one of those beautiful moments you could only find at Hinterland.

The set I was most excited for this weekend did not disappoint. Bleachers put on a Bleachers show in true Bleachers fashion. The stage: slathered in checkerboard print; the backdrop: all black with sheets draping over Lana’s towering set; guitars: tossed across the stage like baseballs. Without logos, visuals, or much beyond instruments and his voice, Jack Antonoff and company prove once again they are one of the greatest live acts in the world. Kicking off their set with three tracks off of their 2024 self titled LP, Bleachers delved head first into longtime fan favorites after including a cover of “The Whole of the Moon” by the Waterboys which they recorded on their 2023 record Live At Radio City Music Hall. Antonoff called for people to hop on each other’s shoulders during their first single, “Rollercoaster,” to which many in the pit obliged. Before their final track, “Stop Making This Hurt,” Jack recalled watching an old Smashing Pumpkins concert on his way to Iowa and mentioned how nobody crowd surfs anymore. I will admit, crowd surfing at Hinterland was not on my agenda walking into the weekend, but when an opportunity like that presents itself, it’s impossible to turn down. GA and VIP alike, people were being ushered in the sky up to the barricade as Evan Smith and Zem Audu traded 8’s on their saxophones as the band took their bows and danced offstage. Rock and roll is alive and well, and to any doubters, point them in the direction of a Bleachers show.

Lana Del Rey took the stage at about 10:30, later than when some festivals wrap up, which is one of the huge perks of having a festival in the fields. With a mix of theatrics, projections, a string section, backup singers, and dancers, all with the backdrop of a bayou house down south, Lana is known for her production value and she did not disappoint. In her second-ever performance in this state, Lana opened with a variety of tracks including her new single “Henry, Come On.” Closing out the evening with a cover of John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” Lana said this was her last date of the year and for the time being. A sold out crowd stayed until the end and shuffled out with the epidemic of post-concert depression just short of midnight.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Best Cover: Michael Marcagi covering Olivia Rodrigo’s “deja vu”
• Best New Song I Heard: “Late To The Party” by Orla Gartland
• Best Set Design: Lana Del Rey
• Crowd Favorite: Role Model
• Highest Energy: Scowl
• New Favorite Artist: Willow Avalon
• Must See Again: Sierra Ferrell
• Personal Favorite: Bleachers

My Thoughts on Hinterland:

Before all of the people getting on shoulders and crowd surfing, Bleacher’s frontman Jack Antonoff mentioned how Iowa does it right, and even going as far as to say “Glastonbury, take note.” All of these little moments that Hinterland makes snowball into a unique, well crafted and personal festival experience. The crew at Hinterland did an outstanding job this year to make sure patrons knew they are cared for and valued in St. Charles. As part of Hinterland’s 2025 initiatives, as of the start of Saturday, Hinterland had given out over 61,000 17-oz bottles of water. Hinterland also takes care of the town, platforming vendors who were able to raise $3,000 for the B. Well Foundation’s Creative Coaches, the Iowa Alliance for the Arts raising over $3,500, and Wander & Co. Planting 325 trees and donating over 400 meals to area food banks.

Some people walked into Hinterland this year skeptical with what this fresh take on the festival would look like, but with more free water stations, more natural and temporary shade structures, a larger concourse, expanded merch and vendors, more entrances, and a whole new VIP and Saints setup, Hinterland calmed any fears patrons had for years to come and put on the best festival of 2025.

With an abundance of music festivals to choose from, Hinterland goes above and beyond to become a more-than-worthwhile destination for its festival-goers. There is a certain energy that is brought to the fields that foster a sense of community found rarely at other festivals. That community comes from a mix of the classic “Iowa Nice,” the campers, and the organizers taking extra care of this very special festival. You can’t get this feeling at Lollapalooza or Austin City Limits. Hinterland is singular. Hinterland is something you can exclusively feel in Iowa. The groundwork has been laid this year for many years to come. Hinterland will be returning to St. Charles July 31- August 1, 2026, to an eager and reinvigorated crowd. Thank you to the staff, volunteers, security, and all who helped put together this magical weekend in the fields of Iowa.

Tune in to “Downey’s Hour” on Monday nights from 9-11pm for the latest festival news about Hinterland and more!

The post Hinterland 2025 Recap appeared first on KRUI Radio.

FRIDAY

SCOWL (12:00 pm): One of my most anticipated sets of the weekend is bright and early on the first day. Fresh off their second LP, Are We All Angels, Scowl is not slowing down anytime soon. Receiving rave reviews including a 4.5/5 from New Noise and a 5/5 from Kerrang, Scowl’s long-awaited Iowa debut can’t come soon enough. Hardcore has rarely made its way to Hinterland, but this is a more-than-welcome change of pace ushering in a loud and fast welcome to the campers. Listen to Are We All Angels here. 

INJI (1:00 pm): If Scowl’s distorted guitars aren’t your cup of tea, INJI will be for you. Energetic and danceable artists are a huge part of Hinterland, and she brings just that to the camp. If you spent any time on TikTok in 2022, you have definitely heard INJI’s breakout single Gaslight, which helped launch her into prominence. She has a busy weekend, earning herself a spot on Sunday, August 3, at Osheaga in Montreal. You can listen to her brand new single, BOYS AIN’T SHIT here. 

Good Neighbours (2:00 pm): Hailing from across the pond, Good Neighbours burst onto the scene earning themselves a Rising Star nomination at the BRITs this year. Their debut LP, Blue Sky Mentality, is set to release on September 26, but you can hear some of their unreleased tracks at the Hinterland main stage. An exciting and fun indie rock duo, and I am stoked to see where they will go. You can listen to the singles off their new record here. 

Rebecca Black (3:00 pm): It’s fitting, isn’t it, having Rebecca Black play on a Friday. Taking a few days off from her opening gig for Katy Perry to play the common combo of Hinterland and Lollapalooza, Black has a brand new record she’s been touring. Released this past February, SALVATION is a powerful and quick jab of a record coming in at seven songs and 21 minutes. She will also be making an appearance at the campfire at midnight for a DJ set. You can listen to her new album here. 

Royal Otis (4:15 pm): Another international indie duo, this time from across the other pond. The Australian duo made up of Royel Maddell and Otis Pavlovic (see what they did there?) made a big splash with their cover of Murder on the Dancefloor, originally by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and the anticipation is only growing for their upcoming record hickey coming out August 22. You can tune into the three tracks released from the upcoming record here. 

Remi Wolf (5:30 pm): One of the hottest names in pop right now, Remi Wolf has become a must see after her 2024 breakout record Big Ideas. She’s pulling a triple-header this weekend with Hinterland on Friday, Lollapalooza Aftershow at the Salt Shed on Saturday, and Lollapalooza on Sunday. A busy weekend for a busy artist who has performed over 40 shows on her current tour this year. You can listen to Big Ideas here. 

Clairo (7:30 pm): Boys listen to Clairo, we exist, and it’s not performative. Her gigantic 2024 record, Charm, showed Clairo firmly finding her footing in the music industry and with only four remaining dates scheduled, this set is a must-see. Nominated for a Grammy for Best Alternative Album in 2024, it’s been a monumental stretch for the Georgia native. You can listen to Charm here. 

Tyler, The Creator (9:30 pm): If CHROMAKOPIA wasn’t enough to get you to Hinterland, Tyler’s brand-new record DON’T TAP THE GLASS should do the trick. A surprise release, with only days’ notice, has been a breath of fresh air with its quick and energetic 10 tracks. In only 29 minutes, Tyler has created something we have not heard in the mainstream in a very long time, if ever. What is bound to be an instantly memorable set, Tyler is the first rapper to headline Hinterland in the festival’s history. You can listen to DON’T TAP THE GLASS here. 

SATURDAY

hey, nothing (12:45 pm): Kicking off the second day of Hinterland is the two-piece band from Georgia hey, nothing. They have skyrocketed in popularity in the past year, earning themselves an Audiotree session and almost half a million monthly listeners on Spotify. hey, nothing will only continue to pick up the pace this year, opening for Cage the Elephant on their fall tour. You can hear their new single Waiting Room here. 

Willow Avalon (1:45 pm): Sporting a cowgirl hat and a voice of gold, Willow Avalon sings songs you imagine yourself falling in love to. A great compliment to the Kacey Musgraves headline, these folky and heartfelt songs will be making their way to your playlist. Another Georgia native on Saturday, Avalon’s set is worth getting there early for. You can listen to her single Country Never Leaves here. 

Gigi Perez (2:45 pm): Taking some time off from opening for Hozier on his Unreal, Unearth Tour 2025, Gigi Perez will take hold of the Hinterland stage. With over 1 billion streams on Spotify, Sailor Song has provided a jumping-off point few could ever imagine. In addition to opening for Hozier, she will be hitting the festival circuit hard this year playing Sea.Hear.Now., All Things Go, and the quadruple header of Hinterland, Osheaga, Lollapalooza, and Lollapalooza Aftershow all this weekend. Perez joined Mt. Joy for a single this past May; you can listen to In The Middle here. 

Glass Beams (3:45 pm): Trapped inside during the pandemic, Rajan Silva decided to create a sound yet to be heard at Hinterland before. This three-piece band has earned themselves an opening slot on Rufus Du Sol’s stadium tour through their unique and fresh instrumentation. Sporting face coverings while performing live is where the similarities to Iowa’s own Slipknot end. Glass Beams dawns face coverings while perfuming live, much prettier than the face coverings of Slipknot. You can listen to the latest Glass Beams EP Mahal here. 

Role Model (5:00 pm): With the breakout success of his latest album, Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye), Tucker Pillsbury a.k.a. Role Model has been selling out venues since. A nearly fully sold-out European tour awaits him after his opening slot for Gracie Abrams’ arena tour ends. A very deliberate but relaxing sound is what you get from Role Model. You can hear his new version of his album’s closer, The Longest Goodbye, featuring Laufey, here. 

Still Woozy (6:30 pm): Starting at 13 years old, Sven Gamsky a.k.a. Still Woozy, began creating beats and songs. This love of music has led to 2025 being his eighth year of this project, including slots here at Hinterland, Lollapalooza, and a headlining European tour this fall. You can hear his latest record, 2024’s Loveseat, here. 

The Marías (8:00 pm): Hinterland’s undercard this year hosts some of the hottest acts right now, and The Marías fit perfectly in that category. With almost a spacey, arial sound to much of their music, their 2024 LP Submarine set them up for a long tour. With a sold out show at Red Rocks just days before their Hinterland slot, The Marías will charm you with their amazing live performances. You can listen to their new single Back To Me here.  

Kacey Musgraves (9:30 pm): Modern-day country legend Kavey Musgraves will take the stage Saturday evening in St. Charles for the second time, previously playing Hinterland in 2019. She skyrocketed into stardom after her hit album Golden Hour, along with other singles, netting her 17 Grammy nominations and eight wins. Musgraves isn’t afraid to share her success, joining the likes of other Hinterland headlining alums such as Noah Kahan and Zach Bryan. Her most recent record, Deeper Well, has been an incredible strong progression for Musgraves’ songwriting, earning herself a third Country Song of the Year at the Grammys with The Architect. You can listen to Deeper Well here. 

SUNDAY

Sam Austins (12:15 pm): Kicking off the third and final day of Hinterland is hip hop artist Sam Austins. Boasting over 63 million streams from his hit Seasons, Austins’ live performances are ones to get a good spot for. Releasing music since 2014, his most recent endeavor The woods vol. 1 has placed him in a must-watch category for the future. You can listen to Austins’ Hot like you here. 

Orla Gartland (1:15 pm): Hailing from Dublin, Ireland, Orla Gartland is a breath of fresh air in the indie pop scene. Creating a personal sound in that genre is difficult, but she has a very defined sound that flows so smoothly with her voice. Her most recent record, Everybody Needs a Hero, is a lovely listen with an exciting and youthful glow that earned her an opening slot for Glass Animals this summer. You can listen to her second LP here. 

Evan Honer (2:15 pm): Another artist who got their start during COVID, Honer has had a quick five years that have led him to playing all over the world. After diving in in college, Evan took his spin at being an artist when the pandemic hit, and it has snowballed from there. After some harsh words from a judge during his American Idol audition, Honer has proved his doubters wrong, releasing a monsoon of singles and EPs before his two full-length L’s were released in 2023 and 2024. Honer caught a big gust of followings after uploading his cover of Tyler Childers’ unreleased track Jersey Giant. With a steady stream of great tunes pouring out of him, Honer is going to be a fun watch for the future. You can listen to his 2024 record, Fighting For, here. 

Michael Marcagi (3:30 pm): Back-to-back college athlete Michael Marcagi was on the links for Thomas Moore University when he wasn’t in his room playing songs. His first release in December 2023 earned him a record deal with the promise of more great tunes. The Red Clay Strays caught wind and picked him up for their opening slot on their summer tour this year. His song Scared to Start landed him in the Top 100 Billboard tracks last year. You can listen to his hit single here. 

Wyatt Flores (4:45 pm): A Grand Ole Opry veteran, Wyatt Flores calls upon fiddles, slide guitars, and his own southern voice to create some of the best there is in the modern country scene. Nominated by the Americana Awards for Best Emerging Artist, Flores’ first full-length LP, Welcome to the Plains, is worth all of the praise it gets. With a series of covers ranging from the standard Oh, Susanna all the way to The Fray’s How to Save a Life. This year he released his first live album, Live at Cain’s Ballroom, to a roaring success. You can listen to it here. 

Sierra Ferrell (6:00 pm): Kicking off my favorite back-to-back of the weekend is Sierra Ferrell. Her magnetic songs just wash all over you, and you think it can’t get better until the next song plays. What is set to be a great set from one of the best contemporary artists in folk and country is the perfect time to get your spot set for the final leg of Hinterland. Ferrell makes her first return to St. Charles since 2022, and since then has released Trail of Flowers in 2024. With a new album under her belt, and a brand new single released just last week, Sierra Ferrell is a can’t miss set. Listen to her new album, Trail of Flowers, here. 

Bleachers (7:45 pm): My personal favorite of the weekend, Bleachers is an absolute can’t-miss. This six-piece band, headed by producer extortioner Jack Antonoff, brings down the house each show with two drum kits, two saxophones and members constantly rotating between instruments. It’s alive, it’s loud, it’s rock and roll. Bleachers puts on the kind of show everyone dreams of playing while singing in the shower. Coming off their self-titled album released last year, Bleachers has taken from Fleetwood Mac, Nick Cave, Bruce Springsteen, and much more to create their masterpieces. The Boss was brought on for Bleachers’ 2021 single Chinatown off of their third record Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night. It’s top of my list and should be top of yours too. Listen to the live recordings from their Live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre set here. 

Lana Del Rey (9:45 pm): Closing out this weekend at Hinterland is the incomparable Lana Del Rey. A powerhouse for the past decade plus, Lana has headlined everything from Coachella to the Newport Folk Festival. With the release of Grammy-nominated Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd Lana saw her work with producer and Bleachers front man, Jack Antonoff, reach her debut at #1 in the UK and #3 in the US. I’m holding out hope that Antonoff and Bleachers will join forces with Lana to play their song Margaret off of that record. With Hinterland being Lana’s only scheduled date left this year, it is sure to be a must-see. Listen to her new single Bluebird here. 

An incredible weekend of music awaits Iowa, with close to three dozen world-class artists all in one place. You can view the full schedule here, and purchase tickets to Hinterland here. Directions to the festival can be found on the website as well. Stay hydrated, and have a great weekend! 

The post Your Guide to Hinterland 2025 appeared first on KRUI Radio.