CHICAGO — Legions of punk fans are bracing for disappointment over the exclusion of a reunion set from beloved ska-punk band Operation Ivy during the 20th iteration of Riot Fest, confirm sources who can’t believe this is still a thing.
“Every year, I proclaim to anyone willing to listen that I will not support a Riot Fest that doesn’t get Operation Ivy back together,” stated local music fan James ‘Crunchy’ Mann, who has attended the festival every year since its debut in November 2005. “And yet, I’ll probably still be there this year, 7 Fireball shots in and screaming out song titles from ‘Energy’ during The Beach Boys’ set. At this point, it’s become such a tradition that I’d probably be more pissed if Op Ivy actually played.”
A talent organizer for Riot Fest, speaking under anonymity due to an NDA, explained that the constant exclusion of festival goers’ most requested act is intentional.
“Look, at Riot Fest, we’re trying to sell an idea. That idea is that if you buy a ticket, Operation Ivy is somehow going to materialize unannounced on the main stage and play to a crowd that is sobbing and skanking simultaneously,” said the organizer while making sure Jesse Michaels’ contact card on their phone was clearly visible. “Truth be told, we could book them anytime we want, but then no one would come out to the next one. It’s like the old saying goes: ‘Ya gotta keep ‘em wanting more while also violently complaining on the internet about a missing set they were never promised in the first place.’ It’s called marketing.”
While grateful for the continued admiration, former Operation Ivy member and Riot Fest veteran, Tim Armstrong, expressed confusion over fans’ dismay.
“I don’t get it. If people want it so bad, why aren’t they showing up to the dumpster sets?” asked Armstrong, referencing his yearly unaffiliated and unpromoted solo sets of Operation Ivy material performed at a dumpster in an undisclosed location near Douglass Park. “One year I even got Paulbany to play the sax solo in ‘Bad Town.’ Can’t please everyone, I guess.”
At press time, festival organizers were seen attempting to convince The Beach Boys to cover “Sound System” during their upcoming slot.
