Tom Skilling is clearly more powerful than we all thought. When the retired WGN weatherman appeared at Riot Fest Friday night, he vowed to “try to keep the rain away” this weekend and, lo and behold, Douglass Park was mostly spared the brunt of the impact of the overnight and early-morning deluge that hit other parts of the city.
Those arriving early Saturday found festival grounds largely clear of freestanding water and mud pits that many prepared for as all colors of rain gear and boots popped up across the park.
Chicago isn’t out of the clear yet, as more rain and storms look to threaten the area around the time alternative rock band Sugar takes the stage at 4:50 p.m. for the trio’s anticipated reunion after 30 years. Skilling will be back on stage for another live forecast at 6:15 p.m. Saturday, and we’ll see if his protective shield will continue to ward it all off.
A large portion of covered fencing around the perimeters of Douglass Park is spray-painted with messages of “Racist Morrissey not welcome!” and “Get out of our park!” on Saturday at Douglass Park. The British crooner behind The Smiths and a long solo career is notorious for canceling shows at the last minute.
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
The question of whether storms will pop up has often been overshadowed by another big “if”: Will Morrissey actually show? The British crooner behind The Smiths and a long solo career is notorious for canceling shows at the last minute — he just did so in August for a planned Vegas mini-residency. And while he has shown up for both of his previous Riot Fest appearances (in 2016 and 2021), he also has a contentious relationship with the event — in 2016, the staunch vegetarian even imposed a temporary “meat ban” for a two-hour window around his set, which continues to be a long-running inside joke for festivalgoers.
Over the past few weeks, local community groups have also voiced serious concern on social media over the singer’s planned appearance, citing Morrissey’s documented statements over the years related to UK immigration policies and his support of the far-right political party For Britain. Overnight, a large portion of covered fencing around the perimeters of Douglass Park was spray-painted with messages of “Racist Morrissey not welcome!” and “Get out of our park!”
If he doesn’t show, fans will have other options, with European punks Gogol Bordello and loudmouths Bad Religion performing during the same time frame. They’ll be followed by progressive metal rockers Tool and rapper Nas to close out the night, if the weather gods allow.
Read on for reviews of some of Saturday’s standout sets.
Aim High
Aim High’s song “Flannel SZN” summed up the Chicago band’s feelings about opening the festivities for Riot Fest Day 2. “You’ll come to find this is more than just a dream, this is everything to me,” sang front man Calebjustcaleb, closing his eyes for a moment to take it all in.
Just a few months ago, the singer relocated to Chicago from South Carolina and joined forces with local musicians in the North Lawndale neighborhood. They were chosen as one of Riot Fest’s four Community Bands of 2026, putting a spotlight on talent from the 24th Ward.
“We are extremely blessed to have the opportunity to play Riot Fest, especially a band of our size and being a newer local band to Chicago,” the singer told the Sun-Times in the press tent after Aim High’s set. “It’s a huge blessing and we very much appreciate the whole Riot Fest team and everyone who made it despite all the weather and us playing super early.”
“It’s amazing to be here,” said guitarist Cesar Leyva when the band was on stage. “Last year I was sitting in that f—— crowd with every single one of you,” he added, pointing out the commendable number of family and fans that showed up at noon in support of the band and/or keeping independent music alive in Chicago.
The five-piece bring a hearty blend of hardcore, alt-rock and pop punk on songs like “Here Lies Kakarot’s Hopes & Dreams” with lyrics that talk about using “music as a vessel.” As Calebjustcaleb stood near the barricade to deliver the band’s final numbers to those gathered up front, he put that mission statement into action, uniting people of all walks of life in the same moment.
Aim High just released its latest EP “Free Caskets” in June, and hopefully there’s much more to come from them in the near future.