The Punk Vault

The Flowers Of Romance Revisited – 4/11/26 at Reggie’s

Saturday night at Reggie’s was a very special night as Martin Atkins and Chris Connelly put together a really talented band to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Public Image Ltd. album, The Flowers Of Romance. How 45 years has already...

The Flowers Of Romance Revisited dress rehearsal – 4/10/26 at The Museum of Post Punk and Industrial Music

If you are a fan of Public Image, Ltd., you may be aware that my personal favorite album of theirs, The Flowers Of Romance, just turned 45 years old this month! How 45 years went by so fast is an alarming mystery, but suffice it to say that album...

Descendents, Frank Turner And The Sleeping Souls – 3/15/26 at The Salt Shed

Sunday night was a magical night for music when Descendents and Frank Turner And The Sleeping Souls played the final night of their tour together at The Salt Shed, one of the nicest venues in Chicago history! Even a rainstorm didn’t keep...

Motion City Soundtrack, Say Anything, Sincere Engineer – 2/13/26 at Riviera

Friday night was a triple bill of both emo and pop/punk bands at the Riviera that featured Motion City Soundtrack, Say Anything, and Sincere Engineer. The place was absolutely packed, even before the first band went on! First up was Sincere Engineer...

Smoking Popes – 11/28/25 at Bottom Lounge

Those not interested in getting in fights over flatscreen TVs on Black Friday had a much more entertaining option when Smoking Popes headlined a show at Bottom Lounge. They were on a three band bill and it was a really solid lineup so it was well...

The Saints ’73-’78 – 11/11/25 at Metro

Last tuesday the Metro hosted some Australian punk legends when The Saints ’73-’78 headlined a show there. They were part of a two band bill. First up, also hailing from Australia, was Chimers. This duo made a sound as big as a five...

My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult – 10/31/25 at Concord Music Hall

If you live in Chicago and were ever part of or into the industrial/Wax Trax scene then can you think of a better way to spend Halloween than seeing My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult headline a show at a really good venue? The answer is no, you...

Swans – 9/30/25 at Metro

Tuesday night was a big night if you are a Swans fan as the band made their return once again to the beloved Metro here in Chicago. They headlined a two band bill and when Swans play, it’s always an event. First up was Little Annie & Paul...

Category - Show Reviews

Riot Fest 2021 Day Two 9/17/21 at Douglass Park

Friday was the second day of the 16th Riot Fest, but the first full day of this year’s festival. The gates opened bright and early and there was plenty of things to do and bands to see right after they opened. The...

Riot Fest 2021 Day One 9/16/21 at Douglass Park

It has been a long two years since the last Riot Fest. The Covid pandemic took away many things that people took for granted, not the least of which was live music and the best outdoor festival of all time, but it was...

Drunk Injuns 2/21/20 at The Uptown

Friday night was a special night in Oakland, CA as The Uptown hosted MoFo’s 60th birthday party and it was a skate rock extravaganza! Drunk Injuns and JFA played together in honor of MoFo, and they were joined by...

The Adicts – 1/29/20 at House of Blues

Wednesday night, UK punk legends, The Adicts, made their long-awaited return to the windy city to headline a three band bill. The club was packed full of excited punk fans spanning a wide range of ages. First up was...

Street Sects 12/7/19 at Downstairs Subterranean

Last night in the downstairs room of Subterranean, Street Sects headlined a three band bill. The band has been touring quite a bit recently and after returning from Europe, they hit the road one more time to get some...

Pigface 11/30/19 at Thalia Hall

Pigface reunited once again and hit the road to tour for the first time in 14 years! The band was dormant for more than a decade before reactivating for a one-off performance here in Chicago two years ago and it was...

King Diamond 11/18/19 at Riviera Theatre

Monday night, the legendary King Diamond headlined a show at Riviera Theatre. He was part of a three band bill and the venue was packed to the rafters with heavy metal fanatics eager to see their beloved King. First up...