Riot Fest returns to Douglass Park in Chicago September 18–20, 2026.

The festival has come a long way since launching in 2005 as a multi-venue weekend built around punk and rock.

Hip-hop has increasingly become part of that mix over the years, with acts like Public Enemy, Wu-Tang Clan, Cypress Hill, and Run the Jewels on past lineups.

This year, one of the more interesting names in the mix is Nas and Slick Rick, who join a lineup spanning punk, rock, metal, alternative, and hip-hop.

We used Booking Agent Info’s music industry database to research the agencies behind the 2026 lineup and compare their shares with 2025.

Ground Control Touring leads the way with 15% of the roster, up six percentage points from 9% in 2025. Their Riot Fest artists include Alkaline Trio, Thrice, and Less Than Jake.

WME follows with 11%, down slightly from 12% last year. Their roster includes Alanis Morissette, TOOL, Social Distortion, and Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter.

CAA comes in next with 10%, down from 13% in 2025. Their artists include Twenty One Pilots, Pierce The Veil, and The Paradox.

THE·TEAM and Sound Talent Group each account for 8%.

THE·TEAM led the festival last year with 13%, but falls five percentage points in 2026. Their lineup includes Nas and Descendents.

Sound Talent Group holds steady at the same 8% share it had in 2025, with artists including VANA and GWAR.

Paladin Artists climbs to 5%, up from 3% last year, with Pennywise and Bowling For Soup among its acts.

Independent Artist Group, ROAM, and Sequel Music Group each represent 4% of the lineup.

IAG represents Iggy Pop, ROAM represents Angine De Poitrine, and Sequel represents Mom Jeans.

UTA accounts for another 3%, with acts including The All-American Rejects.

Atomic Music Group, Concerted Efforts, Do It Booking, High Road Touring, and Pinnacle Entertainment each account for 2%.

The remaining 18% is a variety of other agencies and artists handling their bookings in-house.