LIVE REVIEW: INNERVIEW DOES RIOT FEST, DAY ONE

It’s hard to achieve that perfect festival weather. Surely the later in the year you go, the less likely of getting trounced in rain or dying in 101 degrees. But you always risk getting chilly in the Midwest midway through September. Yet the gods of rock, many of whom graced the stages of Riot Fest 2017, instead allowed for a spectacular set of evenings. And Friday took full advantage, with some bangers straight out of the gate. Angus Andrew of Liars rocked a gorgeous white wedding dress for their set, bringing some hearty doom rock in the process that set the stage for The Hotelier to send out some feverous energy and punchy guitar riffs into the sunny mid-80s air. The always hilarious and masterful lyricist Action Bronson danced around the stage with the audience wrapped around his little finger, while Death From Above ran through a workmanlike set that didn’t quite seem to translate all that well to the outdoor stage. That disappointment carried over when industrial rock legends Ministry took to the stage to deliver a loud set most remarkable for its deafening loudness and its nods to the Antifa movement. Things started to turn around when New Order began a serviceable if slightly lethargic set, culminating in a sober yet joyful tribute to Ian Curtis during “Love Will Tear Us Apart.” Vic Mensa of course let his true feelings about the police be known during his naturally powerful set, but nothing could prepare for the magic that was about to unfurl. Nine Inch Nails delivered one of the finest sets of any Chicago festival in recent memory, uncorking an emotionally cathartic and impeccably gorgeous sonic work of art including hits like “Head Like a Hole” and culminating in the teary-eyed beauty of “Hurt” — leaving festivalgoers in a philosophical mood as they piled onto buses lined up outside the festival and fanned out into the Chicago night. BY JIMBY SISTO & JAY GENTILE–PHOTO BY ANTHONY NGUYEN
Next: Riot Fest Day Two