Riot Fest at Douglass Park

I biked over after school, hoping to catch the last half of the Hold Steady's set. Shockingly, I did. I still love them and I got to hear Constructive Summer (Joe Strummer reference #1).

I caught a minute or two of Rico Nasty from afar - I think I liked her.

Then it was on to see the Didjits. They came out to Zeppelin's Rock and Roll. Which made sense musically and lyrically (it had been a long time since they rock and rolled). Also, the whole song played and then they came out, which was also very on brand. Despite being Rick and two dudes standing in for the actual Didjits, they were great. Not enough dancing from the old crowd, but otherwise it was like 1989 all over again for me. I don't think Peter was impressed; he went to see Rilo Kiley (which I totally should have gone for the end of)...

Stiff Little Fingers were their usual awesome selves. They played Strummerville (Joe Strummer reference #2), but didn't mention anything about the current political mess. Which I found unusual - were they coached not to make waves? That would seem strange at "Riot" Fest...

Met back up with Peter for the Pogues. Well, 3 of the Pogues and an assortment of other players - who were really good (REALLY good) - but was this really the Pogues? This Ship of Theseus question will keep coming up at this year's Riot Fest (and, I suspect, more and more as the years go on). Anyway, they didn't even make a passing reference to their one-time producer and fill-in frontman (no Joe Strummer reference #3).

Stiff Little Fingers at Metro

Ricky Warwick opened. Apparently he's the singer for Thin Lizzy now. Anyway, he played a solo acoustic set. Bill described him as an Irish Billy Bragg. Which was pretty accurate, but he wasn't nearly that political (if at all). He closed with Ace of Spades, so that was cool.

Stiff Little Fingers killed it. Were they old? Yes. Did they play loud and fast? Yes and yes. Opener Suspect Device set the tone. I think they played their songs faster live (which seems normal for young bands - but this was no young band).

I had stabbing pains in the abdomen which finally overcame me halfway through Barbed Wire Love (which opened the encore). I heard that and closer Alternative Ulster gripping the railing trying to remain upright by the bathroom downstairs. It sounded good anyway. Was it just brutal gas? Kidney Stones? Something more nefarious? Only time will tell.

I eschewed the lakefront ride, and biked straight home. The sky opened up five minutes after I got in, so I guess I made the right call.

Stiff Little Fingers, The Avengers, Dummy at Bottom Lounge

Stiff Little Fingers, Death By Unga Bunga at the Metro