The Punk Vault

Riot Fest 2026 Day Three – 9/20/26 at Douglass Park

Thanks to an overnight flash flood rainstorm that lasted the entire night, and then the rain that continued the entirety of Sunday, it turned out to be the most challenging Riot Fest in history. It was challenging for everyone involved on numerous...

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...

Category - Show Reviews

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...

Riot Fest 2022 Day One 9/16/22 at Douglas Park

The best and last weekend of summer just happened which meant it was time once again for Riot Fest, which is the best festival that Chicago has to offer (and anyone who says otherwise is a liar). The weather was...

Health – 9/12/22 at Park West

Monday night was a good one to stay out late on a school night when Health headlined an amazing three band bill at the ultra-nice Park West. A ton of people came out for the show and all three bands, like most bands...

Boris 9/11/22 at Metro

The Metro has been on fire lately with great shows as it is celebrating 40 years of being Chicago’s most beloved music venue. They kept the momentum going when Boris finally returned to the windy city after quite...

Afghan Whigs 9/10/22 at Metro

Saturday night the Afghan Whigs made their long-awaited return to Chicago when they headlined a show at Chicago’s most legendary and beloved music venue, the Metro. They were part of a two band bill and played to...

Peaches 8/21/22 at Metro

Sunday night the Metro hosted a show that was well worth staying up late on a school night for when Peaches made her return to Chicago! The Metro was packed full with a wonderfully diverse audience for this event and it...

Peter Hook & The Light 8/19/22 at Metro

The Metro, Chicago’s legendary music venue, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and there’s been a handful of really great events happening there this summer to mark the event. In a continuation of...