KILLING JOKE at RIOT FEST CHICAGO 2018
Laugh at Your Peril 40th Anniversary World Tour 2018
Douglas Park Chicago
Saturday 9/15/18

It needs to be said, righteously and often: With a reputation forged in fire, brimstone and magic, Killing Joke have long been one of Rock n’ Roll’s most iconic and extremely influential outfits.
Here we are, 40 years on, and the original lineup is intact, with Jaz Coleman on Vocals, Geordie on Guitar, Youth on Bass, and Big Paul Ferguson on Drums.
Covered by Metallica, Foo Fighters and so many more, Killing Joke’s apocalyptic vision continues to burn on and on, and draw praise from the likes of Jimmy Page, and Dave Grohl, along with so many others, with the band’s musical legacy firmly intact.
A Killing Joke show is not easily forgotten, even with an abbreviated setlist such as the one for Riot Fest.
7 songs they played, with me in the pit for the first three, then a quick run to the main stage at Riot Fest for a couple songs with Elvis Costello, then bolt back to catch Killing Joke and their last song of the evening – “Pandemonium”.
This only goes to prove that Chicago deserves a headlining set in the future with these guys- sooner rather than later.
Nevertheless, you take what you can get, and having seen some of the live show photography from previous stops on this current tour, Riot Fest clearly had the best lighting of all- sophisticated and high budget, not house lighting in and old club with lots of red.
Killing Joke are true trailblazers, a band so deserving with our attention, promoted to the hilt, and placed in my blog with a separate highlighted review with photos. They are that good, that profound.
This is a band that doesn’t go through the motions. Killing Joke are ever unpredictable, always brisk, always urgent, always celebratory, the work of an outfit thriving on the current chaos of the world today, with lots to say.
Killing Joke.
Always roaring at breakneck speed, with a look from Jaz Coleman’s eyes of wide eyed horror, proof enough that the urgency of the music, Jaz’s vocals, Geordie’s iconic guitar, low end from Youth, and Paul bashing away for the drums is still so sorely needed, and so welcome, at least from this photographer.
Killing Joke.
One of my favorite bands of all time.
Killing Joke.
Still an institution unto itself, a degree from the fans in righteous anger and community, brought forth by the professors on the Riot Fest Stage.
Cheers- Bobby Talamine – Music Photographer