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

Tar – 10/1/22 at Smashed Plastic Live Vol. 1

Saturday, Smashed Plastic Record Pressing held its first ever live music event, called Smashed Plastic Live, Vol. 1. This event featured an entire day’s worth of live bands, plus food trucks and various vendors...

Dinosaur Jr -9/30/22 at The Vic

There has been so many good shows in Chicago lately and it doesn’t look like that is going to change anytime soon. Friday night, Dinosaur Jr returned to the windy city to headline a show at The Vic.It has been a...

Amyl And The Sniffers – 9/28/22 at The Vic

Wednesday night, Amyl And The Sniffers returned to Chicago to headline a three band bill at The Vic. It was a really good reason to go out on a school night and many people did. Ganser was the first band of the night...

Cold Waves X 9/24/22 – Revolting Corpse at Metro

Saturday night was another night of Cold Waves X at Metro, this time being headlined by Revolting Corpse, which is the final appearance of former Revolting Cocks members, sans Al Jourgensen, performing the music of the...

Cold Waves X 9/23/22 – Cold Cave at Metro

The start of fall means that it is time for the Cold Waves Festival. This is the tenth year of the festival that was started to honor Jamie Duffy, a beloved member of the industrial music scene here in Chicago. The...

Riot Fest 2022 Day Three 9/18/22 at Douglas Park

Sunday was the final day of Riot Fest, and the end of the final weekend of summer. It is always a bittersweet day and this one ended on a high note. The fest had some great bands on this final day, and the rain waited...

Riot Fest 2022 Day Two 9/17/22 at Douglas Park

On Saturday, Mother Nature turned up the heat a few notches and so did Riot Fest with an amazing and diverse lineup of bands, including some really heavy hitters! You couldn’t have asked for more perfect weather...