Chicago Riot Fest 2017

Chicago's 2017 Riot Fest was an explosion of colored hair, tatts, music T-shirts, balmy breezes and acts at the top of their games.

Opening Day, Friday, September 15 came to a satisfying close with New Order at dusk. A tight techno/pop set with clear electronic textures wafted over the packed crowd, playing their 80s faves that emerged from Brit post-punks Joy Division.

At 8:30 p.m., Nine Inch Nails stormed the stage with a fierce, industrial-rock set peppered with fucks, not giving any, as well as actual fornication, mostly memorably in the surprisingly honest "Closer," which intense, full-throated band creator Trent Reznor punctuated by straddling his mic stand:

I wanna fuck you like an animal
I wanna feel you from the inside
I wanna fuck you like an animal
My whole existence is flawed
You get me closer to God

Along with band mate Atticus Ross, Reznor recently scored Ken Burns's new documentary juggernaut, "The Vietnam War," which began on PBS on September 17.

Saturday brought another diverse and packed lineup on five stages amidst the carnival midway, merch tents and rows of Porta Potties. DC's own legendary hardcore punk/funk/reggae band Bad Brains was looking their ages but their licks were still hard and dreadlocks quite long.

The Beastie Boys' Mike D showed up for a solo DJ set, rocking a white T, shades and the mic, singing along with or over riffs and samples, starting with the funky "So What Cha Want," and another favorite anthem, "No Sleep Till Brooklyn." He and his MacBook DJ helper also spun Blondie's "Rapture," Jay-Z's "99 Problems," and, with a shout-out to local musicians and old school Chicago house music, Chance the Rapper.

The afternoon's highlight was South Central LA's Fishbone on the Radicals Stage, fronted by original members, singer/saxophonist (and a little Theremin) Angelo Moore in a snappy, electric blue tartan suit, and bassist Norwood Fisher in a red jumpsuit. The band retains its wall of brass -- horn and trombone in addition to the bass sax -- buoyed by its fearless, frenetic, fun energy.

The playlist was blissfully almost entirely their 1988 album Truth and Soul, starting with Curtis Mayfield's powerhouse "Freddie's Dead." Angelo's energy held the crowd even as he removed his jacket to reveal his trademark short white shirtsleeves and suspenders.

The chock-full hour-long set also featured "Ma and Pa," "Question of Life," "Pouring Rain," "Deep Inside," "Mighty Long Way," "Bonin' in the Boneyard," and "One Day." They talked about taking the slow bus themselves before launching info "Slow Bus Moving" then addressed the current political climate when introducing "Subliminal Fascism."

Angelo said that, despite Trump, he still believes in change, before embarking on a clarion version of that song. The encore included the reggae-tinged "Alcoholic" and "Party at Ground Zero," an appropriate statement about the Fest's ethos and today's news. The happy/sweaty, bald sage Moore asked the giddy mosh pit to join him in answering, "What's the name of this band?"

"FEESH-bone," we all responded over and over. And that's the truth. See you next year.

The 2017 Riot Fest was held September 15-17 at Douglas Park in Chicago. For information, visit http://riotfest.org/event/riot-fest-2017-1/