LIVE REVIEW: INNERVIEW AT RIOT FEST, DAY TWO

After a successful opening day, Riot Fest continued its trail of debauchery with a strong lineup to kick off day two. Fucked Up worked the crowd into a frenzy when lead singer Damian Abraham wandered into the audience and remained there for nearly the entire set, at times causing his microphone to become unplugged in the process. The Vandals reminded the crowd that they are still quite probably the funniest remaining true punk band, as they cracked joke after joke and at one point even roasted a photographer onstage. The Hold Steady opened their set with an introduction to fans: “We’re The Hold Steady, boys and girls in America. Let’s have a real sad time together.” Vocalist Craig Finn seemed a bit out of place holding his guitar through most songs rather than playing it, but nonetheless delivered an exciting if at times erratic set. Brand New drew an impressive crowd and wasted no time launching into hits like “Okay, I Believe you….But my Tommy Gun Don’t” with a video screen serving as their backdrop playing videos of long desolate roads and lonely cornfields. Method Man and Redman kicked off their set with a message to fans: “When you come to a Method Man and Redman show, you need two things: weed and energy.” Standing amongst the crowd, one could tell there was no shortage of either. Death Cab for Cutie put on a solid show as usual, although at times the band fought to be heard over the thumping bass of other acts playing simultaneously, with many drunken shouts of “MORRISSEY!” interrupting the quiet voice of vocalist Ben Gibbard. As fans lined up early to wait for the most widely anticipated act of the night, meat vendors prepared to shut down. In true Morrissey fashion, he arrived on stage more than 30 minutes late but did not disappoint, launching into fan favorites such as “Suedehead” with fans shouting along “she was a good lay, good lay.” BY MIKE MILAZZO–PHOTO BY SARAH HESS
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