Rebel Roots, Modern Tech: Riot Fest’s Radical Upgrade with Tixr

Over nearly two decades, Riot Fest has transformed from an underground punk rock gathering into a cornerstone of Chicago’s music scene.

Known for its wild mix of punk, rock, metal, hip-hop, and beyond, Riot Fest reigns as one of the largest truly independent music festivals in the world. What sets it apart? It’s more than the killer lineups, special reunions, and full-album performances. From circus sideshows and carnival rides to a wedding chapel and an annual yearbook, Riot Fest celebrates the alternative and the extraordinary. Even the slogans for Riot Pop, the exclusive Riot Fest beverage that “tastes like shit, but keeps you lit!” align with the festival’s irreverent spirit. 

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In an interview with the Chicago Sun Times, founder “Riot Mike” Petryshyn describes it best; “How I see it, along the way, Riot Fest became important to people. People get married here [in the on-site wedding chapel]. That’s crazy. I always thought it’s because of whoever is playing. And it really isn’t. It’s more than that, and that’s meaningful.”

Where Tech Meets Punk: Riot Fest’s New Era with Tixr

In a quest to enhance the fan experience for a growing crowd, Riot Fest sought a collaborative, independent, and entrepreneurial technology partner built to serve complex events. To modernize the purchase experience and future-proof back-of-house operations, Riot Fest chose to team up with Tixr.

Modern Look, High Volume On-Sale

Riot Fest weaves its independent ethos and rebellious spirit throughout its entire experience, binding together an unconventional community. Aiming to immerse fans in the festival’s aesthetic from the very first touchpoint, Riot Fest’s ticketing team meticulously branded its mobile-friendly Tixr event page with the 2023 event’s gritty, graffiti-esque artwork. 

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The launch of Riot Fest’s ticketing is always a big event with thousands vying for tickets at the onset.  By strategically limiting the early-bird presale and initial public onsale to strictly GA, VIP, Deluxe, and Deluxe+ 3-day passes, our “flyer” event page layout streamlined the path to purchase with focused options and the fewest clicks to buy. Additionally, due to our modern architecture, no queue was required to handle the crush of purchases, allowing fans to get in, buy, and get on with their day. 

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After a successful pre-sale, Riot Fest then switched over to our “carousel” layout to offer a wider range of ticket offerings for its general onsale. This switch enabled the festival to cater to a broader audience of fans with varied preferences through multiple ticket types — from three-day and single-day GA to exclusive Deluxe Plus access to inventive hospitality and lodging packages. This dynamic layout allowed fans to personalize their experiences from day one, while maintaining the festival’s distinctive aesthetic.

A Close-Knit Community with Global Reach

Beyond flexible purchasing options, our partnership with Riot Fest brings an electrifying twist to fan engagement and community growth. Utilizing Tixr Rewards, Riot Fest empowered 2023 ticket-buyers to act as ambassadors within their networks, offering incentives like discounted tickets and merch vouchers to fans who drive bookings via unique referral links. One fan alone even racked up 19 ticket sales.

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In 2023, Riot Fest drew fans from over 28 countries, showing off its global appeal while maintaining a strong crowd of Chicago locals. This blend of worldwide reach and hometown loyalty highlights the festival's dynamic marketing and the close-knit community that keeps coming back for more.

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Riot Fest is gearing up for another exceptional event this year at its longtime home in North Lawndale’s Douglass Park. We look forward to seeing our cutting-edge solutions in action as Riot Fest connects with new audiences while staying true to its punk roots. Explore the 2024 lineup, passes, and photos here.

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Let’s supercharge ticket sales together. Schedule a demo of our advanced tools like Tixr Rewards that are revolutionizing event experiences, beyond ticketing.