Toronto’s Riot Fest & Expo is coming at us fast and furious on September 19 and 20 at Downsview Park. Weezer, The Prodigy, Bleachers, Cancer Bats, Courage My Love, and Ritual join a diverse array of bands previously announced. To top it off, Weezer will play both days of the festival, performing their eponymous debut (known as the Blue Album) one day and Pinkerton on the other. For fans a little tight on budget – Riot Fest brings back its layaway program, with the option to pay ticket costs in several installments during the lead up to the fest.
Tyler, The Creator
Tyler Gregory Okonma, better known by his stage name Tyler, The Creator, was born in Los Angeles, California to a Nigerian father and a mother of African-American and Canadian descent.
Born in Ladera Heights, he rose to prominence as the leader and co-founder of the alternative hip hop collective Odd Future, and has rapped on and produced songs for nearly every Odd Future release. Okonma also creates all the artwork for the group’s releases and said in an interview with radio presenter DJ Semtex, that he designs all the group’s clothing and other merchandise as well. After releasing his debut album Goblin under XL Recordings, in April 2011, he signed a joint venture deal for him and his label Odd Future Records, with RED Distribution and Sony Music Entertainment. Following that he released his second studio album Wolf, which was met with generally positive reviews and debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200 selling 90,000 copies in its first week.
Jazz Cartier
Jazz Cartier is the stage name of Jaye Adams, a Canadian rapper. His debut album Marauding in Paradise was released in April 2015, and was a longlisted nominee for the 2015 Polaris Music Prize.
Cartier had worked on an early version of Marauding in Paradise as early as 2011, but was not satisfied with the album. After moving back to Toronto, he began working with record producer Michael Lantz, and released his first single “Set Fire” in 2014. Performing in Toronto-area music venues, he quickly attracted attention — his track “Switch” was regularly played at Toronto Raptors games by team DJ 4Korners, and at a show in March 2015 he was introduced by fellow Canadian rapper Kardinal Offishall.
Check out Tyler, The Creator and Jazz Cartier at Toronto’s Riot Fest & Expo!
In previous years, Riot Fest and their partners at Union Events have cultivated lineups that have featured reunions and rare appearances—and 2015 is no exception. Bands such as Drive Like Jehu and Thrice will be making reunion appearances at Riot Fest & Expo. Moreover, rare appearances by Alexisonfire, Echo & The Bunnymen and Motörhead give 2015’s edition its unique feel.
Outside of the announced bands, this year’s festival will also include a circus tent featuring the Hellzapoppin Circus Sideshow Revue, a miniature golf course, a video arcade hall, and a wide array of food and drink options.
Link to purchase Riot Fest & Expo Toronto tickets:
https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/865671?utm_medium=bks