LISTEN: JayWood’s “PISTACHIOS” Is Beautifully Funky Hip-hop
JayWood is Jeremy Haywood-Smith from Winnipeg, MB. The project started as sad jangle pop songs, just singing about how sad or miserable he was, but things slowly began to change as time went on (both style and direction-wise) into the more “psych funk” sound that is shown today. JayWood carries a unique sound that has […]
LISTEN: Brian K & The Parkway Get Vulnerable Over Soulful Rock On “Scarecrow”
Brian K & The Parkway play earnest and expressive Rock & Roll that’s drawn comparisons to Tom Petty, ‘70s Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Warren Zevon, and The Replacements. Their 2024 debut album, Killing The Bear, is a musical and lyrical journey from the Gulf Shores of the American South to the Green Mountains of Vermont; from […]
Keith Morris At 70: Revisting The Punk Frontman’s Greatest Moments With Circle Jerks, Black Flag & OFF!
On September 18th, 2025, we celebrate the birthday of an artist who needs no introduction. His name alone evokes memories of punk rock’s heyday, brings to mind the youthful angst we all faced, and continues to stand as a testament to the artistry that always seems to be written off by those outside of punk […]
Golden Age Thursday: T.S.O.L. Run Through Early Material During Hectic 1981 Performance In California
T.S.O.L., like any memorable punk band, has gone through its fair share of controversies. From frontman Jack Grisham’s addiction issues plaguing the earlier days of the band, and a lineup that shifted several times throughout their career, especially during their run in the 80s, The Sounds of Liberty’s legacy has survived through inner turmoil and […]
LISTEN: The Altered Hours Highlight Detailed Approach To Shoegaze On “Turn Away”
The Altered Hours are a 5-piece alt-rock group from Cork, Ireland. The band made their full-length debut, In Heat Not Sorry, in 2016, introducing the world to their sprawling approach that can range from moody, atmospheric balladry to blistering distortion. 2021 saw The Altered Hours return with Convertible, a more honed effort that proved this […]
LISTEN: Kisu Min’s “Uncanny Valley” Is Beautifully Chaotic Indie Rock
Kisu Min (Esperanto: Kiss Me) is a band founded in Łódź, Poland, at the end of 2016. They play a form of alternative rock of the new pre-war era with the line-up of Basia Ciupińska (vocals, guitar, synths), Ola Sobańska (lead guitar, backing vocals), Agata Pyziak (drums, percussion), and Michał Szafarz (bass guitar, backing vocals). […]
David Byrne Brings Legacy To Life At Pittsburgh’s Benedum Center for the Performing Arts For Start Of ‘Who Is the Sky’ Tour (RECAP)
David Byrne is the type of artist we should all be grateful to witness, and we should all be even more thankful that the legendary lead still has the passion and creativity to continue gracing us with new ideas. Byrne turned 73 this year and celebrated with the release of Who Is The Sky?, a […]
The Avett Brothers & Mike Patton Team Up To Form AVTT/PTTN – Listen to Lead Single “Enternal Love”
In one of the year’s most surprising and electrifying collaborations, Scott and Seth Avett of The Avett Brothers have teamed up with Mike Patton, legendary frontman of Faith No More and Mr. Bungle, to form AVTT/PTTN. Their new album of original songs, written by the three artists together and produced by Patton, Scott Avett, and Grammy-winning engineer Dana Nielsen (Metallica, Rihanna), […]
Weirdo Wednesday: Weird Al Yankovic Cranks Out “Another One Rides The Bus” (Live 1981)
One of the great things about Riot Fest is its distinctive sense of humor that feels so pervasive around Douglas Park each year. Whether it’s slapping tongue-in-cheek nametags on porta potties (like “Turdstile”, “Clogging Molly”, etc.), a giant “butter” statue of John Stamos (rumor has it he may actually show up this year), you name […]
Michael Shannon & Jason Narducy And Friends to Celebrate 40th Anniversary of R.E.M’s ‘Lifes Rich Pageant’ with 2026 Tour
Michael Shannon & Jason Narducy And Friends have announced a spring 2026 U.S. tour celebrating the 40th anniversary of R.E.M.’s iconic album, Lifes Rich Pageant. After the pair’s rapturously received run earlier this year honoring the band’s famed 1985 album Fables of the Reconstruction, which saw the four original members of R.E.M. join Shannon & […]