While Day One of Riot Fest Toronto rummaged through the punk community’s forgotten gems and beloved innovators, Sunday’s festivities at Downsview Park flashed a serious indie pedigree. It’s a weird switch for such a massive summer event but Riot’s organizers know how to hit the “Refresh” button and keep things interesting – even if it means stepping away from classic album sets and stockpiling bands that are regulars on Pitchfork and The A.V. Club. Marquee names such as City And Colour, The National, Death Cab For Cutie, and The New Pornographers charmed with their variations of feel-good numbers and Riot Fest flattered all of the above by letting newcomers make their own statements. Restorations, The Hotelier, Radkey, Lemuria, and Toronto’s PUP regulated a consistent output of riffs and slayed as some of their own catalogues topped their set time rivals. It’s a big feat to see a fest actually let their young guns fly and you have to applaud Riot’s efforts because as you’ll soon notice, some bands actually got some serious hang time.
Check out the following galleries via photographer Jeff Filman and and dig into our other batch of live stills from Riot Fest Toronto Saturday.
RESTORATIONS at REBEL STAGE
SEAWAY at REBEL STAGE
THE BOTS at ROCK STAGE
BOB MOULD at RIOT STAGE
THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS at ROOTS STAGE
THE HOTELIER at REBEL STAGE
THE HEAD AND THE HEART at RIOT STAGE
RADKEY at REBEL STAGE
DEAD TIRED at REBEL STAGE
DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE at ROOTS STAGE
PUP at REBEL STAGE
THE NATIONAL at RIOT STAGE
CITY & COLOUR at RIOT STAGE
