LIVE REVIEW: INNERVIEW AT RIOT FEST 2018, DAY THREE

Mom Jeans kicked off day three of Riot Fest to get the sluggish crowd moving with a fun set including sing-alongs and emo vibes, before Calpurnia showed the crowd these kids have some serious chops with a riotous garage punk set that included diverse covers from The Beatles’ “Don’t Let Me Down” to Twin Peaks’ “Butterfly.” JD McPherson played one of the most boring sets of the weekend that entertained no one except maybe the parents there with their kids, while Fear and The Avengers trafficked in fiery punk nostalgia that vindicated the obscure pairing as two of Riot Fest’s more inspired bookings. Blondie’s Debbie Harry donned a green wig for a set that, while certainly not as tight as the old days, delivered with the same characteristic cool and hits like “One Way or Another.” Alkaline Trio put on a career-showcasing set that was heavy on Chicago love and short on theatrics, before Father John Misty strutted the stage in a white suit (a move he quipped was pretty punk) with the backing of horns and strings that felt out of place only to those unfamiliar with his shtick. Late addition Run the Jewels closed out the festival with the same raucous energy that has made them festival kingpins in recent years, mixed in with some very 2018 reminders to keep your hands to yourself and call suicide prevention hotlines if you’re feeling depressed — reminding us that while music and festivals are certainly a fun escape, the wider world is never too far away. BY JOHN KURNAT–PHOTO BY JASON PENDLETON
Previous: Riot Fest Day Two