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VIC MENSA

by Jimby Sisto
photo by Frank Ockenfels III

Victor Kwesi Mensah (a.k.a. Vic Mensa) is one hungry dude. Nine years into his career and still only 24, Mensa has already released a heavy catalog of bangers and seems destined to grab the torch from aging Chicago hip-hop forefathers like Kanye and Common. The game seems to have already been changed in the short time that Mensa has been introduced, and he has had more than a little to do with this. Stirring, relatable and ground-trembling, The Autobiography is his debut studio album released this July by Roc Nation/Capitol Records. Watch it come to life at Riot Fest as Mensa is bound to make his hometown proud with a powerful performance that should be in line with Chance the Rapper’s heroic headlining gig at this year’s Lollapalooza. Always connected to his community and his roots, Mensa’s eyes are starting to focus in on bigger prizes and more blockbuster-type moments. And no one can stop him.

7:25-8:25 PM
Rise Stage

NEW ORDER

by Jimby Sisto
photo by Nick Wilson

Formed in 1980 after the demise of Joy Division, the world has been lucky enough to have had the legends of New Order together for nearly 40 years. Danceable, emotional and genre-defining, New Order built their prestige upon creating chart-topping hits that make you want to explode to on the dance floor with friends yet are also equally suitable for listening to alone in a more contemplative state. While Factory Records classics Power, Corruption and Lies and Movements are momentous albums chock-full of innovation and bangers, the English icons have gone on to release a steady stream of albums since their early ‘80s heyday, most recently 2015’s Music Complete featuring guest vocals from Iggy Pop and Brandon Flowers. Still putting on an amazing live show, this is one you will want to carve a space in the crowd for early. Loud, affecting and always on point, New Order are here and that is nothing short of awesome.

7:10-8:25 PM
Roots Stage

NINE INCH NAILS

by Jimby Sisto

The unearthly sonic resonance of Nine Inch Nails continues to deliver earthquake-sized tremors nearly 30 years into their career. (“Their” is a relative term, as this band is all Trent Reznor.) Working as a janitor in a recording studio before releasing his 1989 debut Pretty Hate Machine, Reznor used his break time recording wild hits like “Head Like a Hole” and “Terrible Lie” that blew a hole in what had come to be expected from the “alternative” scene of the day. The prolific Reznor has just unleashed his 19th release as NIN, Add Violence, which provides yet another visceral chapter in the incomparable canon of NIN. Still as voracious as a flesh-eating virus, NIN pushes and pulls with a defiant presence and sonic mastery in a live show that remains something of an enigma. One part shaded doom and two parts acute sonic rage, breathe in the aroma of terror and scream into the void with Reznor and company.

8:30-10:00 PM
Riot Stage

BEST COAST

by Jimby Sisto
photo by Janell Shirtcliff

With so much of our modern culture saturated in parody and ironic sentimentality, brutal honesty is hard to come by these days. Yet Best Coast is so sincere it seems like sarcasm. Started in 2009 by songwriter/guitarist Bethany Cosentino and guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Bobb Bruno, Best Coast find themselves two years out from their latest critically acclaimed release, California Nights. Conjuring images of sunbaked California evenings sitting in a convertible on the edge of the ocean, you get a sense of the environment dreamed up by Cosentino when diving into these tracks. Unrequited love ready to be yelled about and brimming emotions begging to be hummed to all day are hallmarks of their catchy, rhythmic, and palpable sound. Songs like “Boyfriend” and “Crazy For You” are great introductions into their juggernauts of “feels”. Pop a squat with your significant other or get up close and personal and scream with Bethany. There’s no wrong way to enjoy Best Coast.

6:45-7:30 PM
Radicals Stage

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