In all previous years Riot Fest used The Congress Theater as its main hub venue, but 2012 is a year of massive change for the fest. The centerpiece is now a two day affair outdoors in Humboldt Park, surrounded by a number of pre-and post-shows at the aforementioned Congress Theater, Cobra Lounge, and more.

This year’s edition of Riot Fest not only moved the festival into the outdoor realm, it also moved itsquarely into the multi-genre/multi-generational zone. For the older, more seasoned crowd that remembers when 120 Minutes began, you have Iggy & The Stooges, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, The Jesus and Mary Chain and Built To Spill keeping you busy. For punks who came of age in the 1990s, there’s The Offspring, Rise Against, NOFX , Descendents and The Alkaline Trio keeping the pits going. For the “I don’tcare about genre as long as they’re good” types they booked Dropkick Murphys, Gogol Bordello, Andrew W.K., Coheed & Cambria, Gwar, and Hot Water Music. For indie fans you’ve got The Promise Ring, Minus The Bear and Japanther. Those eclectic eighteen bands represent barely ¼ of the full lineup, the rest of which you can see on the festival website.

Tickets for Riot Fest are on sale now, ranging from $34.50 single day passes to $155 two day VIP passes.  Children under five are admitted free to the Humboldt Park shows. All ticketing options can be found at RiotFest.org/Chicago tickets