Photos: Chicago held a contest for stage time at Riot Fest. This teen punk rock band won.
It was a dreary afternoon, but that didn’t stop North Lawndale and Little Village residents from coming out to the End of Summer Celebration thrown by Ald. Monique Scott (24th) in Douglass Park.
That park will soon be the site of Riot Fest, a popular three-day music festival running Sept. 18-20 this year.
The live showcase was in partnership with the festival, which brings thousands of punk rock aficionados to the area every fall. Earlier in the summer, Scott’s office and Riot Fest put out a callout for community bands to submit their music for a chance to perform at the festival in September.
Members of the band Large Mouth strike a synchronized pose on stage during their performance at the Community Talent Showcase in Douglass Park in North Lawndale.
Victor Hilitski/For the Sun-Times
More than 100 local acts applied for the opportunity, but only nine were selected for the showcase to vie for the coveted spot on 2026’s bill, featuring such headliners as Twenty One Pilots, Tool and Pierce the Veil. The local band contest is a part of Riot Fest’s “Beyond the Fest,” initiative, which launched in 2023 to help ease tensions with its neighbors over use of Douglass Park, a key green space in the community.
Among the talent were some previous community band winners — 2024’s VII (Seven) and 2023’s NewClear Fusion. Also in the mix were local acts Rose of Demise, Mother of Fortune, Large Mouth, Through N Through, William Baranda and his band, Fantasma Negra and LP Trixie.
Large Mouth ended up taking first place and securing a spot at Riot Fest. The teen punk rock band is made up of three brothers from Little Village — 16-year-old Jorgie Santopoalo, 15-year-old Jeremy Santopoalo and Oliver Santopoalo, their 11-year-old drummer. Friends from the neighborhood, 18-year-old Diangelo Esquivel, 16- year-olds Jeremy Abarca and Oliver Mendoza round out their six-piece ensemble.
The Community Talent showcase originally had one spot up for grabs, but in a surprise, Riot Fest Executive Director George Herrera announced at the showcase that runner-up Rose of Demise, a metal core band from the South Side, will also get to perform at the music festival.
The band Large Mouth performs at the Community Talent Showcase in Douglass Park in North Lawndale.
Victor Hilitski/For the Sun-Times
Vocalist Shameer Goss of Mother Fortune performs among the crowd after jumping off the stage during the Community Talent Showcase at Douglass Park in North Lawndale on Thursday.
Victor Hilitski/For the Sun-Times
Lead vocalist Ruben L. Garza Jr. (center right) of Through and Through gestures to the crowd while performing during the Community Talent Showcase.
Victor Hilitski/For the Sun-Times
William Baranda and his band perform on stage during the Community Talent Showcase.
Victor Hilitski/For the Sun-Times
A lead vocalist for Fantisma Negra sings on stage during the Community Talent Showcase at Douglass Park.
Victor Hilitski/For the Sun-Times
VII (Seven), who won the competition in 2024, performs during the Community Talent Showcase.
Victor Hilitski/For the Sun-Times
The Community Talent showcase originally had one spot up for grabs, but in a surprise, Riot Fest Executive Director George Herrera announced at the showcase that runner-up Rose of Demise, a metal core band from the South Side, will also get to perform at the music festival.
Victor Hilitski/For the Sun-Times
Members of the band Large Mouth celebrate on stage after being announced as the winners of the Community Talent Showcase.
Victor Hilitski/For the Sun-Times
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