The Punk Vault

Riot Fest 2026 Day Two – 9/19/26 at Douglass Park

Saturday started off a little wet, but when the second day of Riot Fest opened the weather was humid but nice. Sadly that would change later in the day, but we’ll get to that in a bit. The second day of the 21st Riot Fest had a stellar lineup...

Riot Fest 2026 Day One – 9/18/26 at Douglass Park

Friday started the last and best weekend of the summer when the 21st Riot Fest kicked off. It was a beautiful day for the first day of the fest, but unfortunately it ended up being the only dry and nice day of the entire weekend. Like every year...

Cabaret Voltaire – 9/16/26 at Metro

Last night was the second and final night of Cabaret Voltaire at Metro. Just like the night before, they filled up the place nicely. I Speak Machine was up first and just like Tuesday, Tara put on am amazing performance well worthy of fighting...

Cabaret Voltaire – 9/15/26 at Metro

Tuesday night was a very special one as it saw the long awaited return of Cabaret Voltaire to the Metro. This was the first of a two night stand and the most beloved music venue in the city. It had been over 30 years since the band played here, and...

Silver Abuse – 9/3/26 at Reggie’s Music Joint

First generation Chicago punk band, Silver Abuse, made a rare appearance headlining a really good four band bill at Reggie’s Music Joint (the bar side of the venue). It was hot as hell outside, and not much cooler inside, but at least there...

Sludgeworth – 8/30/26 at Cobra Lounge

In what should become a regular thing, yesterday Cobra Lounge hosted a Sunday matinee show when Sludgeworth headlined the second of their two record release shows, the first being the night before. It only took more than three decades, but the band...

Quicksand – 8/26/26 at Bottom Lounge

Wednesday night, Quicksand and Bane made a stop here in Chicago on their current tour to play a show at Bottom Lounge. Soul Blind was the opening band. This New York band played an interesting mix of metal/post-hardcore, grunge, and a bit of...

Nitzer Ebb – 8/22/26 at Metro

Saturday night, industrial music legends Nitzer Ebb made a welcome return to Chicago once again to headline a show at Metro. It was a three band bill that featured two veteran acts alongside a newer one that may not have been familiar to a lot of...

Category - Show Reviews

She Wants Revenge, The Chameleons – 11/6/22 at Metro

Last night at Metro, She Wants Revenge made a return after a long hiatus, and they brought The Chameleons along for the ride! Talk about an amazing double bill! It was more than enough reason to stay out late on a...

Girls Against Boys – 10/12/22 at Metro

Wednesday night, Girls Against Boys was finally able to perform once again at Metro to celebrate a milestone event in their career (more on that below). They were part of a stellar three band bill which made for an...

Toadies – 10/9/22 at Metro

Sunday night, after being rescheduled more than once due to the pandemic, Toadies stopped in Chicago to headline a sold out show at Metro as they toured to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their popular debut album...

KMFDM – 10/8/22 at Metro

Last night, KMFDM sold out the Metro when they headline a show in their first return to Chicago since before the pandemic. They were part of a two band bill and the place was already packed solid by the time the first...

Kaelan Mikla – 10/5/22 at Chop Shop

Wednesday night, Kaelan Mikla returned to the USA after a three year absence from touring to headline a show at Chop Shop, a very nice venue in the Wicker Park area of Chicago. The last time (which was also the first...

The Bollweevils – 10/1/22 at Punk The Burbs Fest

Saturday night, The Bollweevils, one of Chicago’s finest punk bands from any generation, played a set during the Punk The Burbs fest at Base Camp in Lisle. The event was an all-day show that featured about a dozen...