Let’s not bury the lede here: Riot Fest 2026 is one week away. That means there are only seven more days before we’re moshing to killer set after killer set in Chicago’s Douglas Park. As expected for an event we named our 2025 Festival of the Year, the lineup is pretty darn stacked, led this year by headliners Tool, Pierce the Veil, and Twenty One Pilots. Ask us, however, and we’ll tell you that the true strength of a music festival lies in its undercard. Sure, seeing “The Pot” will be extremely sick, but what about the several other hours we’ll be hanging around in the September sun? Luckily, the Riot Fest 2026 lineup does not slouch.

With a mix of buzzy newcomers (Angine de Poitrine, Cardinals, This Is Lorelei), familiar favorites (Pixies, Bright Eyes, Taking Back Sunday, PUP, Social Distortion), and full-blown alternative icons (Iggy Pop, Morrissey, Elvis Costello, Patti Smith), we can already tell Riot Fest won’t leave us with too much free time come next weekend. Truthfully, it’s a lot to take in, but don’t worry, we’ve got your back. How? With a list of must-see bands and artists that you can plan your days around, of course!

These are by no means the only folks worth checking out — that list would be many times longer. They are, however, the sets that will give us the most FOMO if we miss. So, take that as you will, and we’ll see you in the pit. Check out our picks for the 10 must-see bands of Riot Fest 2026 below. You can also pick up last minute tickets here.

It’s goddamn Iggy Pop; do we really need to sell you on him? A godfather of punk and one of rock’s all-time great frontmen, he’s a bucket list-type artist for those who have yet to see him and a welcome treat for those who have already had the pleasure. And for anyone worried that his age might have hampered his sneering spunk, fear not. Somehow, at the ripe age of 79, Mr. Pop still certifiably has it, strutting around the stage and giving the audience his all. It’s not exactly what it must have been like to catch The Stooges back in the day, of course, but don’t skip out on what’ll be one of the most fun hours of Riot Fest 2026 because you’re scared a dude pushing 80 still rocks harder than you.

You’ve heard their mathy, proggy, loop-pedal-based experiments. You’ve seen their extravagant, polka-dotted getups. Now, it’s time to see what all of the hoopla is really about live and in person. One of the wildest success stories of the year, the French Canadian duo has become one of the unlikeliest rock phenomenons in recent memory. What’s more, both of their Chicago tour dates are already sold out. Put that all together, and it’s quite a convincing argument to check out the wonderful weirdness of Angine de Poitrine’s stage show while you have the chance.

Earlier this year, Chicago locals and indie rock darlings Twin Peaks returned after years of inactivity to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Down in Heaven with a whopping eight sold-out shows at Thalia Hall. If you missed out on the fun, or if you’re looking to relive it, Riot Fest 2026 offers one more chance to join the extended victory lap. Whether you’re from the city or not, it’s worth taking a shot of Jeppson’s Malort and experiencing the hometown heroes in their native setting.