Riot Fest Chicago 2015 — Geon Tillinghast

In March of 2015, I was given the opportunity to photograph Revolution Brewing's 5 Year Anniversary at the Riviera Theater. After buddying up in the green room with Andrew W.K. and his wife Cherie Lily, I went on stage to shoot their headlining set. I suppose they liked me and my photos enough, to invite me back to shoot their performance at Riot Fest in Chicago this year.

Most of my experiences from this amazing weekend are indescribable. I got unlimited deep dish pizza, and an open bar full of amazing drinks. I got to hang out with some truly amazing bands in their trailers and just shoot the shit. I made some amazing connections for when I move to Portland, and for upcoming road trips. And most importantly, I got to watch some amazing bands on stage, and got to avoid sweaty crowds in ankle deep mud. I cannot thank Cherie Lily and Andrew W.K. enough for having me back!

Earlier today, I posted more photos on Instagram (@geon666) in one day than I ever have before, and that still wasn't enough to show off the amazing photos from my weekend. So I figured I should keep trying out this blog thing. Enjoy the photos, and I hope you all got to see your favorite bands this weekend.

All Images © Geon Tillinghast. Any of my images used on social media require photo credit @GeonPhoto. Anything used beyond social media i.e. promotions, fliers, etc will be dealt with legally.

thanks Cherie and Andrew. Without you and this wristband, none of this would have been possible.

Less Than Jake, with their homemade toilet paper gun

KONGOS. This is the band that sings that "Whooaaaa come with me now" song. I don't personally like them. But hey, they were there.

Rodrigo Y Gabriela. I'm not sure why, but I only shot this image from their set. I think I had to be somewhere else at the same time as their set. Whatever.

Beach Slang. I watched them, but didn't shoot 'em. No idea why.

unlimited deep dish pizza from Lou Malnati's, and open bar with Jamison Gingers and other tasty treats

huge crowd, that I thankfully got to avoid, for Andrew W.K.

takin' a big ass selfie with Andrew W.K.

hangin out with Jack Black, making fun of people who take selfies while we take a selfie

Jack Black posing for pictures with a little girl and her mom

Jack Black being a good sport about photos backstage

unrealistically huge crowd for Tenacious D

I think Kyle Gass may have had some weed in that recorder..

Tenacious D's drummer trying to seduce me

Kyle Gass wondering who this weirdo kid behind him is..

so I watched the rest of the show with my main dude Chris Sutter, who played Riot Fest the day before in his band Meat Wave

Modest Mouse was the only band we weren't allowed to watch on-stage, but at least we got to hang in the "super VIP" area where there was no mud and no crowd.

all the bands finished, so Chris and I went to get more free drinks and hung out in Andrew WK's trailer

Meat Wave and Andrew WK mend, becoming one. Meat WK

Erik from Andrew W.K. doin some crazy shit

The night is over, so I say my goodbyes and go home to my boring life.