Riff Fest 2023 was one to remember! I Prevail, Bad Omens, Rival Sons, Badflower, Giovannie and the Hired Guns all took the main stage! Des Rocs, Tigercub, BRKN Love and Detroit’s own Frame 42 rocked the festival stage in the parking lot. Fans were there early and ready to rock! Check out some of our photos and get ready for Riff Fest 2024!

We had an absolute blast hanging out at Pine Knob all day with all of you. The music was rocking and we couldn’t have asked for better weather. Sunny and warm–yet, not hot. It was perfect. So much work goes into putting on Riff Fest every year, and seeing smiling faces made it all worth it.

Highlights From Riff Fest 2023

Talking to people at Riff Fest, everyone had a different favorite part of the day. Some people said it was I Prevail closing out the night, lots of people said Bad Omens were he highlight, and a few people chose to rave about how delicious the food was. I mean, we don’t really have any control over that, but was nice to hear, regardless.

If you weren’t able to make it this year, hopefully we’ll see you next year at Riff Fest 2024. The good news is you can live vicariously through us. We’ve put together a setlist of the entire day. That’s right. The entire setlist from every band that took the stage at Riff Fest. That means the Main Stage and the Festival Stage. You can see that by clicking here.

The fun started in the parking lot before the music even got going. We went around and played some game with people tailgating before the festival and had a blast. First, we played a game of ‘Damn All These Birds!!’ where I asked people why there are so many sports teams named after birds. Then, we played a game of ‘Unnecessary Censorship,’ where I added random censor bleeps to perfectly clean sentences to make it sound like what they were saying was explicit and dirty…when it really wasn’t. Keep scrolling to check out some pictures from Riff Fest highlighting the amazing day. We’ve also got exclusive behind the scenes photos from the day below, as well.

Riff Fest 2023 Rocks Pine Knob

• Giovannie & the Hired Guns

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  Giovannie and the Hired Guns perform at Riff Fest 2023!

• Giovannie & the Hired Guns

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  The drums sounded great for Giovannie and the Hired Guns. They were great!

• Giovannie & the Hired Guns

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  Look at that guitar! You could probably see it in a dark room. What shade of green is that?
• Giovannie & the Hired Guns

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  Slap the bass! Giovannie and the Hired Guns drop that bass, baby!

• Giovannie & the Hired Guns

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  Hey! There's that green guitar again. Couldn't miss it.

• Badflower

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  Alex from Badflower playing the bass. They put on an excellent show at Riff Fest
• Giovannie & the Hired Guns

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  Hey, wait...that doesn't look like a Detroit jersey. Gotta rock the Lions jersey next time, man!

• Badflower

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  Awesome shot of Alex from Badflower rocking out. Love those guys.

• Badflower

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  Joey and Josh from Badflower are in the zone! They put on a great show.
• Badflower

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  Josh from Badflower singing a song. One of the highlights at Riff Fest 2023

• Badflower

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  Alex playing his heart out on stage at Riff Fest. Slap that bass!

• Badflower

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  Anthony from Badflower and his drum kit. He was awesome.
• Badflower

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  Alex from Badflower playing the bass. Looks like a different bass than he was playing before.

• Badflower

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  Josh from Badflower taking in the scene at Riff Fest 2023

• Badflower

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  Joey from Badflower playing the guitar. Look at that flow!
• Badflower

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  Josh from Badflower at Riff Fest 2023. Definitely a crowd favorite this year.

• Des Rocs

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  Des Rocs takes the Festival Stage at Riff Fest 2023

• Des Rocks

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  Shredding for Des Rocs at Riff Fest 2023. One of my favorite acts of the day.
• Des Rocs

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  Beautiful weather at Pine Knob. Des Rocs added to the beauty

• Des Rocs

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  Just by looking at this picture you can tell Des Rocs was shredding. Awesome set by them.

• Des Rocs

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  Des Rocs drummer taking a second to thank the crowd at Riff Fest. We see you!
• Des Rocs

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  Des Rocs dominated the Festival Stage. Perfect way to get everything going

• Des Rocs

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  He was rocking all day. If you can ever see Des Rocs, definitely do it.

• Des Rocs

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  Des Rocks drummer has the beat. Awesome show.
• Tigercub

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  Tigercub watching Des Rocks on the Festival Stage before they get on. Awesome photo here.

• Des Rocs

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  Seriously, if you ever have a chance to see Des Rocs do it. If you have a friend reach out with tickets, take them! You won't regret it

• Des Rocs

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  That is rock and roll! Great picture of Des Rocs from Riff Fest 2023
• Des Rocs

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  Des Rocs is the man! He put on an awesome show, and I'd love to see him again sometime

• Des Rocs

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  A look at the Festival Stage at Riff Fest 2023. Des Rocs rocked that stage.

• I PREVAIL

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  Eric from I Prevail taking in the hometown crowd at Riff Fest 2023
• I PREVAIL

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  A look at I Prevail's on stage set up at Riff Fest 2023. They also had some great pyrotechnics

• I PREVAIL

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  Gabe from I Prevail on the drums. What a way to close out Riff Fest 2023

• I PREVAIL

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  Steve from I Prevail on the guitar. Great to have them back home to headline the festival.
• I PREVAIL

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  I Prevail closed out the night at Riff Fest 2023

• I PREVAIL

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  Great shot of I Prevail's Gabe on the drums at Riff Fest 2023. Such a cool set up!

• I PREVAIL

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  Eric from I Prevail belting it out at Riff Fest 2023. It was awesome
• I PREVAIL

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  Black and white shot of Gabe on the drums. Love me some I Prevail

• I PREVAIL

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  Brian from I Prevail taking in the Pine Knob crowd. I Prevail was the final act of the night

• I PREVAIL

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  I Prevail's Brian singing on stage at Riff Fest 2023. Pine Knob was rocking
• I PREVAIL

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  Great black and white shot. If I were him, I'd use this as my profile picture

• I PREVAIL

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  Dyan from I Prevail on stage at Riff Fest 2023. They put on a great show

• I PREVAIL

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  It's a vibe! Brian from I Prevail is feeling the music at Riff Fest 2023 at Pine Knob
• I PREVAIL

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  Power pose! Eric from I Prevail rocks Riff Fest 2023 at Pine Knob.

• I Prevail Riff Fest

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  I Prevail performs at Riff Fest 2023

• I PREVAIL

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  Steve from I Prevail on the Main Stage at Riff Fest 2023. Pine Knob was alive.
• I PREVAIL

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  Brian from I Prevail sings as some pyro goes off behind him. Fire! Fire! Fire!

• Rival Sons

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  Rival Sons VIP experience at Riff Fest 2023

• Rival Sons

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  Rival Sons give an intimate performance for VIP at Riff Fest 2023
• Rival Sons

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  Jay from Rival Sons talks about music and more with the audience at the VIP experience

• Rival Sons

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  Scott from Rival Sons playing an acoustic song at the VIP experience at Pine Knob

• Rival Sons

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  Rival Sons take the Main Stage at Pine Knob for Riff Fest 2023
• Rival Sons

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  Scott Holiday shreds the guitar at Riff Fest 2023. Rival Sons put on two shows that day, one intimate VIP show and then the Main Stage show

• Rival Sons

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  Rival Sons rock the Main Stage at Pine Knob. It was my first time seeing them and they're great

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  Jay from Rival Sons is in the zone! Awesome set at Riff Fest 2023
• Rival Sons

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  Rival Sons put on a one of a kind show at Riff Fest 2023. One of my favorites of the night.

• Rival Sons

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  Scott from Rival Sons on stage at Riff Fest 2023. Pine Knob was feeling it!

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  Great shot of Rival Sons at Riff Fest 2023. Can't wait to see them again
• Rival Sons

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  Michael from Rival Sons on the drums. The crowd was loving Rival Sons at Riff Fest

• Rival Sons

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  Black and white picture of Michael from Rival Sons on the drums. Pine Knob was rocking along with them

• Rival Sons

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  Dave from Rival Sons on the bass at Riff Fest 2023. Great show
• Rival Sons

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  Scott from Rival Sons shredding at Pine Knob. I love that green suit!

• Rival Sons

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  MIchael from Rival Sons on the drums. Start to finish they put on a great show

• Bad Omens

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  Awesome black and white shot of Bad Omens' drummer Nick. People were saying Bad Omens were the best show of the festival
• Bad Omens

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  Noah from Bad Omens sings on the Main Stage at Pine Knob. Riff Fest was feeling it!

• Bad Omens

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  Jolly from Bad Omens rocking out! Riff Fest was rocking right along with them

• Bad Omens

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  Jolly from Bad Omens shredding on the Main Stage. Awesome show at Riff Fest
• Bad Omens

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  Noah from Bad Omens taking a seat while he performs. Riff Fest was on their feet, though!

• Bad Omens

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  Bad Omens on stage at Pine Knob. One of the best acts of the night at Riff Fest 2023

• Bad Omens

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  Bad Omens getting the crowd amped! Pine Knob was rocking!
• Riff Fest Fans

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  Front row! These fans were digging Riff Fest 2023 at Pine Knob. Best seats in the house?

• Bad Omens

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  Nicholas from Bad Omens plays on the Main Stage at Riff Fest 2023. Their stage set-up was awesome. They put on a great show

• Bad Omens

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  Masked Bad Omens rocking Riff Fest 2023. Hey, Lions fans can relate.
• Frame 42

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  Lucas of Frame 42 on the drums. They kicked off Riff Fest 2023 on the Festival Stage!

• Frame 42

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  What a way to start the day! Frame 42 is an awesome band and they are on the rise!

• Frame 42

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  Ava from Frame 42 is feeling it! The weather was great and this was the best way to kick off Riff Fest!
• Riff Fest 2023

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  The fans were feeling Frame 42 on the Festival Stage! I'm also very jealous of that beard. Well done!

• Frame 42

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  Great shot of Frame 42 rocking the Festival Stage. Riff Fest 2023 was on Saturday September 23rd, 2023.

• Frame 42

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  Awesome pic of Frame 42 at Riff Fest. They kicked off the entire evening and didn't disappoint!
• Frame 42

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  How rock and roll is that?? If you ever get a chance to see Frame 42 do it!

• Frame 42

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  Ava owning the Festival Stage at Riff Fest 2023. Pine Knob was loving the first act of the night

• Frame 42

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  Yes! Ava rocking out on stage at Riff Fest.
• Frame 42

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  Ava from Frame 42 belting out one of their songs. Check them out if you ever have the chance.

• Frame 42

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  Lucas bringing the beat for Frame 42. Awesome set.

• Tigercub

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  Tigercub rocks the Festival Stage at Pine Knob for Riff Fest 2023
• Riff Fest 2023 Pine Knob

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  A look at the Festival Stage at Riff Fest 2023. Tigercub, Frame 42, Des Rocs, and BRKN LOVE all played there.

• Tigercub

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  Jamie from Tigercub rocks the Festival Stage at Riff Fest 2023. He's a tall dude!

• Tigercub

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  James from Tigercub provides the beat at Riff Fest 2023. Tigercub was amazing!
• Tigercub

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  Jamie sings a song to the Festival Stage crowd at Riff Fest 2023. If you ever get a chance to see Tigercub live definitely do it!

• Tiger Club Signing

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  Tigercub spending some time with fans at Riff Fest 2023 signing autographs. They were great dudes and they absolutely rock.

• Tigercub

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  Jimi from Tigercub taking it all in. They delivered excellent rock and roll on the Festival Stage.
• Al Beck

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  WRIF's Al Beck took the Festival Stage to thank our sponsors and bring out the next band! As usual, he was very funny doing it.

• Steve Black & Des Rocs

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  Des Rocs hangs out with WRIF's Steve Black after their interview. Steve does the best interviews.

• Jonel

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  WRIF's Jonel took the Festival Stage to get Riff Fest started! He introduced Frame 42
• Al Beck & Nick

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  WRIF's Al Beck and Nate Franklin get things started on the Main Stage. They introduced Giovannie and the Hired Guns!

• Giovannie Signing

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  Giovannie from Giovannie and the Hired Guns signs autographs for fans at Riff Fest 2023. Super cool of him to take the time to do it!

• Cort Freeman

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  WRIF's Cort Freeman introduces Des Rocs on the Festival Stage at Riff Fest 2023. Cort asked the crowd if they'd rather him bring out Des Rocs or spend the next 45 minutes going over festival safety. They chose Des Rocs.
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  WRIF's Meltdown and Aimee Brooks on the Main Stage at Pine Knob for Riff Fest 2023. Crushing it!

• Frame 42 Signing

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  Frame 42 meets fans and sign autographs at Riff Fest 2023. They were great.

• Jade Springart

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  WRIF's Jade on the Main Stage at Pine Knob for Riff Fest 2023. Owning that stage like a boss.
• Des Rocs Signing

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  Des Rocs signs autographs for fans at Riff Fest 2023. He rocked The Festival Stage at Pine Knob and it was cool of him to take a minute to do this, as well.

• Happy crowd enjoying at music festival

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  A happy crowd enjoying a show!

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