Riot Fest resumes with another NOFX farewell, plus Waxahatchee, Spoon and Descendants

Photos by Andy Argyrakis

The freight train of Riot Fest kept right on rolling into the weekend, allowing even more attendees a lengthy chance to soak in the alternative sounds, wonderfully wild sights and lots of steamy sun.

This last soirée of summer also marked the final run of NOFX shows ever, which proved to be in such high demand, the group was given the rare distinction of headlining its very own stage every single evening.

As far as Saturday was concerned, the now legendary punk rockers made sure lifers and newcomers alike experienced an exclusive and delightfully irreverent overview of a band who proudly boasted an independent ethos for four prolific decades.

And while NOFX will soon over, at least they went out with the bang of “Seeing Double At The Triple Rock,” “What’s The Matter With Parents Today?,” “Hobophobic (Scared Of Bums),” “Drugs Are Good,” “The Separation Of Church And Skate” and well over a couple dozen others, whipping faithful into a crowd-surfing frenzy and promising a considerably different set on Sunday.

Following the announcement Bright Eyes would no longer be appearing, Waxahatchee certainly rose to the occasion of a closing slot whether she was straight up singing or strapping on a guitar for a captivating blend of indie rock, folk and country from “Tigers Blood” and beyond.

Believe it or not, this marked Spoon’s inaugural Riot Fest and the fellow artful indie rockers were welcomed with opened arms, especially when it came to “I Turn My Camera On” through its latest long player “Lucifer On The Sofa.”

In addition to being returning favorites, the Descendants may very well have held the festival’s record for longevity after getting started in the late 1970s, though thankfully, the foursome maintained its hardcore punk edge and attitude.

England’s noise rockers Basement don’t usually stay together for super long streaks, but always pick up exactly where they left off and this blistering exploration of such underground innovations as “Colourmeinkindness” and “Promise Everything” was no exception.

Clutch took a bluesy and sometimes stoner approach to straight up hard rock, going balls to the wall at the onset of “X-Ray Visions” and only building the intensity with every passing tune up to “The Wolf Man Kindly Requests…”

As far as full albums were concerned, Manchester Orchestra mesmerized with all of “Cope,” a dark yet melodic masterpiece that remains a defining post-hardcore project and quickly reeled in Riot Fest’s early birds, who were rewarded with another loud and loaded roster.

Click here for more photos of Riot Fest at Douglass Park.

Riot Fest continues at Douglass Park through Sunday, September 22. For additional details, visit RiotFest.org.