101 The WRIF’s RIFF FEST Brings the heavy and the nostalgia to the stage for the 2025 Festival
Saturday, September 20, 2025, was an incredibly perfect day to get hot and heavy at a music festival. It was sunny, and the weather was perfect for throwing some devil horns in the air and escaping the reality that is life with some good people and some good music. The lineup looked to be killer this year, and let me tell you it did not disappoint. RIFF Fest starts fenced off as a giant party at the Festival stage around 2:00- I had not heard of the first couple bands playing but after this experience I am a fan of both.
Whoever put together this lineup knew what they were doing, the crowd had a blast in the festival- I even caught a crowdsurfing banana. The amount of staff walking around with buckets of water and beer, keeping everyone hydrated was phenomenal, and security took their job seriously. The first band on the lineup was the semi-local Autumn Kings. What a way to kick off the fest, because this band really rocked their entire set and got the crowd involved. The music was incredible and the stage presence was heavy and fun. They rocked that stage taking full ownership of their entire time block. The movement and music was worth getting there early, and I am so sorry if you missed out on their show because it was heavy and insane!
Following the first set was The Haunt, a brother and sister band from Florida- it was seriously unexpected and I was obsessed with their stage presence. When their vocalist walked out onstage with a bunny plush with a bondage collar, and decked in a gorgeous ensemble, sunglasses and wide brimmed hat, I didn't expect the incredibly haunting half hour with stunning appearance and the moody songs that went with it. The vocals and music were stunning, and the way their vocalist moved across the stage fit the song and left quite an impression. I felt sucked into the stage experience and couldn't keep my eyes off the stage even after I left the photo pit. This band was a great throw into the mix of bands, and you can never go wrong with a female led band as part of a festival lineup!
Miss May I came on stage third, but with a headline worthy set. This band brought so much energy to the stage, you almost forgot there was another band following and then the main stage at Pine Knob later! This band knew how to rock that crowd and get them moving- a circle pit that was pretty epic for the smaller area, and the entire crowd got involved in the shenanigans somehow. This crowd was friendly as hell too- everyone looked out for each other and made sure people were safe and having fun. It was a great set to be part of and experience!
Last on the festival stage before the main show was Escape The Fate. This band closed out the parking lot festival with a bang. The crowd of surfers was nuts, and the energy was infectious. The band brought some heavy energy that day, you almost forgot the sun beating down, and whether you forgot your sunscreen. This band just hit every mark and had people rocking out to the fullest extent the entire time they took that stage. It felt massive and was such a blast to be part of.
The crowd at RIFF FEST was just one of the friendliest I have seen in a while. The number of people who struck up conversation with me, both security in the pit and on the festival grounds, really made me feel like I belonged, like we became family for a day in a sea of strangers. The entire festival portion of the show was a blast with incredible music, great people, friendly staff, and so much merch to choose from with every band there- Shows at Pine Knob always hit, but with RIFF FEST, it was such an incredible time from start to finish.
On the main stage, Return to Dust kicked off the headlining acts with a bang. Their stage presence is fun and full of heavy, cool vibes and great music. The crowd really enjoyed their energy, and the hair-flipping, headbanging was a testament to how much they moved during their set.
The excitement just before Three Days Grace took the stage was so heavy you could taste it. Having bands like Three Days Grace and Breaking Benjamin together is massive for the early 2000s rock music fans- my generation of millennials healed significantly from those bands on the radio constantly, including myself. With songs that take you from the brink of falling over the edge in life, this was about to be a very emotional show. Three Days Grace took to the stage to thunderous applause; the venue was packed to the brim. The chance to see Adam Gontier return and team with Matt Walst with vocals was going to be a massive experience to be part of. The band opened the show with “Animal I Have Become”, “So Called Life”, and “Break”- the energy of the band rocking that stage like they had never left it- it felt like home. After my three songs in the pit, I got to go back to my seat and experience the show as a fan, and it was a dream come true. The band took us on a journey from multiple albums with songs like “The Mountain”, “Pain”, “Kill Me Fast”, “I Hate Everything About You”, “Apologies”, and so many more. The new album came out this August with both Matt and Adam on a glorious marriage of clean vocals and Adam’s raspy rock voice. It was incredibly powerful to see them share every Three Days Grace song on the stage with that same devotion in making the songs new and old, both of theirs. The show was beyond incredible, and emotional because this band saved my life in high school. Adam lit up (literally, the crowd took out their cell phones and lit the venue) with “Rooster,” an Alice in Chains cover. This was a set I never wanted to end; it took me on an emotional rollercoaster, as well as many others at Pine Knob. The band took over that stage and made it theirs, and finished off the hit-filled set with “Riot,” making the entire venue erupt in unison during the chorus. This was an unforgettable set with smoke, lights, and full of emotion.
Breaking Benjamin followed that incredible lineup as the main co-headliner at RIFF Fest, and began with a sheet draped across the stage, creating anticipation for the moment they took the stage,, and the sheet dropped. The entire show was incredibl, with itse graphics on the screens behind them, the dramati,c lighting and moody songs that Breaking Benjamin is known for. The entire venue erupted into singing along with them on their well-known hits “Awaken”, “So Cold”, “Dear Agony”, “Dance with The ,Devil”, “Polyamorous” and “The Diary of Jane” along with many others that took you on their own emotional rollercoaster during the set. , Ben, their lead vocalist had the crowd agreeing when he spoke about aging and what it does in the rock world. Having written these songs in his twenties and still taking the stage in his late forties but loving that he still can- reminded us time is fleeting and you want to enjoy everything you can. This entire show was that- a wonderful combination of nostalgia and new beginnings and chapters- The band’s gritty vocals and dramatic yells, and heavy melodies in dark lighting ended the evening in an epic way. When “The Diary of Jane” came on and the video played behind the band as they moved across the stage, the entire venue sang along and got transplanted back to a time when the video was on MTV and everything felt easier in life. This set was beyond memorable as well. Its such a cool experience to see two of your favorite bands from high school touring together and co-headlining an evening such as RIFF FEST.
This entire day felt like a great success- seeing so many come out for every single band that was there, every band represented in merch on various people throughout the venue. A crowd surfing banana, people getting together and sharing a great day and evening with strangers who love the same music. This year felt so together and just right. An incredible lineup, considerate staff and security, and an amazing time rocking out to so many bands I hadn't even experienced before. Looking forward to more RIFF Fest’s to come!
Autumn Kings
Breaking Benjamin
ESCAPE THE FATE
MISS MAY I
RETURN TO DUST
THREE DAYS GRACE
THE HAUNT
