Riot Fest 2026 Lineup Reveals Morrissey Slot Before Tool, William Shatners Metal Set

Riot Fest will return to Douglass Park in Chicago on September 18‑20, 2026, with a full schedule of performances announced on Thursday. The festival’s five main stages—Riot, Roots, Rebel, and two additional stages—will run from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day, and two‑day and three‑day passes are now available through the festival’s website.

The headline act on the Riot Stage is Tool, who will open the Saturday lineup after Morrissey finishes his set on the Roots Stage. Morrissey’s performance is scheduled to end just minutes before Tool takes the stage, a timing that has drawn attention from fans and media alike. The rest of the Friday schedule on the Riot Stage features Twenty One Pilots, followed by The All‑American Rejects, Rise Against, Iggy Pop and Gwar on the other stages.

Other Saturday headliners include Bad Religion, Nas and Afroman on their respective stages. Sunday’s bill continues with Twin Peaks, Elvis Costello and The Imposters, and Insane Clown Posse. The Rebel Stage will host a 40‑minute set by William Shatner, 95, with his new metal band The *uckers. Shatner’s rider, shared on social media, lists unconventional requests such as “many fire breathers, a DeLorean to transport him to the stage and four feet of Polish sausage.”

Morrissey’s appearance comes after the artist cancelled a four‑show Las Vegas residency at the Wynn’s Encore Theater, which was scheduled to begin on August 14. The cancellation was announced a week before the first show, with the reason cited as “unforeseen logistical challenges.” The artist’s official website confirmed the decision.

The festival’s lineup also includes prominent acts such as Pierce The Veil, Alanis Morissette, Pixies, and Nas, all of whom are listed among the top names on the bill. The Roots Stage will feature Alkaline, Santigold, Sex Pistols (featuring Frank Carter) and Tricky.

Riot Fest, an independently owned three‑day punk‑rock festival held annually at Douglass Park, has a history of booking reunions and surprise performances. The 2026 edition continues that tradition with a diverse roster that spans punk, alternative, hip‑hop and metal.

Tickets for the festival are being sold through the official Riot Fest website, with two‑day and three‑day passes available for purchase. The festival’s schedule, including exact start times for each act, was released on the same day the lineup was announced.

The festival’s timing places Morrissey’s set immediately before Tool’s, a scheduling choice that has been noted by festival-goers on social media. While no official statement explains the rationale, the arrangement allows fans to experience two distinct styles of music in rapid succession.

William Shatner’s participation is a continuation of the festival’s history of unconventional acts. Shatner’s band, The *uckers, will perform a preview of a forthcoming metal album during his Sunday set.

Overall, Riot Fest 2026 presents a broad musical offering that includes established headliners, surprise guests, and a mix of genres. The festival’s schedule, venue, and ticketing information are fully available online for those interested in attending.

The current situation is that the festival’s lineup and schedule are confirmed, the festival dates are set for September 18‑20, 2026, and tickets are on sale. No further changes have been announced.