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

Cold Waves VIII Day One 9/19/19 at Metro

The Cold Waves festival somehow is already eight years old and this year, all four nights took place at the legendary Metro here in Chicago, which has hosted six out of the seven previous Cold Waves. What started as a...

Riot Fest 2019 Day Three

It rained the morning of the final day of Riot Fest this year, but thankfully it stopped before the show got underway. It made for some muddy conditions, but it wasn’t bad at all and the park held up well during...

Riot Fest 2019 Day Two

Saturday was a beautiful day for an outdoor festival. It was sunny and warm, but not too warm, and Riot Fest had an amazing lineup of bands spread across five stages. This was the day that was heavy on the heavy metal...

Riot Fest 2019 Day One

Summer is nearing the end which means only one thing, Riot Fest! The last hurrah of the summer celebrated its 15th birthday last weekend and they really put together an amazing weekend of music with a really diverse...

Adam Ant 9/7/19 at The Vic

If you grew up in the 1980s and had good taste in music, then The Vic in Chicago was the place to be on Saturday night as it hosted a special night of music from the legendary Adam Ant. Adam and his band weren’t...

350 Fest 8/25/19 at Tinley Park Convention Center

Sunday night was the final day of the three day, 350 Festival at the Tinley Park Convention Center. This was the fifth year for the fest and the first time it spanned more than one day. They really pulled out all the...

Converge 8/24/19 at House of Vans

Saturday night was the last House of Vans House Party for the year here in Chicago. They had a great run this year with some great bands and they really ended the season with a bang when Converge was the curator of the...