Riot Fest is getting bigger by the year. The Chicago based festival has grown to the point where it can no longer be held by just clubs, and the festival's organizers will incorporate a full outdoor music event and carnival for the first time this year. In addition, Loudwire is giving away a pair of tickets to see the festival (see below for details).

Organizers have just announced an impressive list of acts taking part, with the Offspring, Rise Against and Coheed and Cambria leading the way. A Day to Remember, AWOLNATION, Dropkick Murphys, NOFX, Gaslight Anthem, Gogol Bordello, Alkaline Trio, Less Than Jake, and the first show back for the reunited original Chiodos lineup are also among the highlights. And for fans of the pioneers, there will be sets from Iggy & the Stooges, Elvis Costello, the Descendents, Fishbone, Reverend Horton Heat, the Jesus and Mary Chain, and more.

Other confirmed performers for the Riot Fest & Carnival event include the Promise Ring, Gwar, August Burns Red, Frank Turner, Built To Spill, Nobunny, A Wilhelm Scream, Screaming Females, Teenage Bottlerocket, Off With Their Heads, Deals Gone Bad, White Mystery, Larry and His Flask, the Story So Far, Japanther, and a reunion for the band Slapstick. More acts will be named in the coming weeks.

Speaking about the decision to move outdoors, Riot Fest founder and promoter Michael Petryshyn explained that while Riot Fest have been a venue-based festival, in recent years it's become harder to space out the top performers and times and venues, leaving fans to choose between some of the top draws. "We were cannibalizing our own market a little bit," explained Petryshyn. "We decided to avoid that altogether and put everything into one or two days."

This year's event runs Sept. 14-16 at Chicago's Humboldt Park. Early bird two-day passes are available for $36 plus surcharges for a limited time, with three-day passes currently starting at $90. The latter package includes all shows at Humboldt Park, plus Congress Theatre and after-parties. VIP packages are going for $155 and include private stage-viewing areas, and a sectioned-off VIP are in the park with a private bar and drink tickets. Visit www.riotfest.org for event and ticketing details.

In related Riot Fest news, organizers will continue the expansion of the brand started last year with a Philadelphia event as well. The East Coast show takes place July 19 at Festival Pier on Penn's Landing, with Refused, the Promise Ring, August Burns Red, Off!, Gameface, Boy Sets Fire, and Hirs among the initial confirmation. Rather than a three-day weekend event, Riot Fest organizers will make the Philly show a special late-summer event with full details announced shortly.

For a chance to win a pair of tickets to Riot Fest and Carnival 2012, retweet our Twitter post or share our Facebook post. Travel and accommodation not included. Contest ends June 15, 2012.

 

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