From the basement to the main stage, the 20th annual Riot Fest did not disappoint this past weekend in Chicago.
Headlined by Green Day, Weezer, and Blink-182, the festival — which took place in Douglass Park —also brought an amazing collection of rising artists and fan favorites together. However, one of the most talked-about performances was when John Stamos — who is an honorary Beach Boy — joined the Beach Boys for their set on Saturday. It was a full-circle moment that was the result of a fantastic long-running social media campaign started by the Riot Fest founders 12 years ago to bring the actor and musician to the festival — along with his fictional Full House band Jesse and the Rippers.
While Jesse and the Rippers were no-shows, Stamos not only backed the Beach Boys on drums but joined pop group Hanson on stage for a fun performance of their hit tune “MMMBop.”
On Friday, the festival kept things light by having “Weird Al” Yankovic headline his own Weird World Stage with a full set of opening acts including Mac Sabbath, Puddles Pity Party, and Sparks.
Aside from the killer 20th anniversary lineup, the festival experience included Riot Land amusement park, a wedding chapel, and even the chance to have your photo taken with a John Stamos butter statue.
“I started riot fest in my basement because I wanted to see my favorite bands and celebrate the musicians and venues that make Chicagos scene such a creative juggernaut — mostly artists with no backing other than their fans and indie labels,” festival founder “Riot” Mike Petryshyn tells Entertainment Weekly. “How we made it to 20 years? The hard work of people who love this fest and what it represents as much as I do.”
Check out pics of Stamos, Hanson, “Weird Al,” and more musical acts at Riot Fest 2025 below.
