John Stamos Wants Tom Skilling at Riot Fest—And Chicago’s Weather Legend Just Said Yes

EXCLUSIVE!

Only in Chicago could a punk festival turn into a fever dream where Uncle Jesse and the city’s most trusted meteorologist share top billing. Riot Fest has confirmed that in 2026, Tom Skilling—the man who spent decades calmly steering us through blizzards, heat waves, and polar vortexes—is coming out of retirement to make his Riot Fest debut.

The unlikely booking traces back to actor-musician John Stamos, who reportedly told organizers he wouldn’t set foot onstage unless Skilling himself returned to deliver the forecast live. Forget the typical rock star rider—no Evian, no white lilies—Stamos wanted Doppler radar and Skilling’s booming baritone predicting “a 100% chance of rock ’n’ roll.”

So mark your calendars: 2026 is shaping up to be the year Riot Fest goes from mosh pit mayhem to meteorological history. Expect the circle pits, expect the chaos, and—thanks to Skilling—expect a damn accurate forecast.

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