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

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...

The Breeders 6/15/19 at House of Vans

Summertime is just about here which means that it is once again time for House of Vans to put on their shows, which they lovingly refer to as House Parties. House of Vans is located in the West Loop area of Chicago and...

Failure and Swervedriver 4/5/19 at House of Blues

If you like your rock music with loud, layered guitars, full of complex riffs and atypical song structures then there was no better place to be Friday night than the House of Blues in Chicago where two great bands...

Strange 90s Benefit for Jerry Bryant 3/8/19 at Metro

Jerry Bryant has been a staple and a supporter of music, and the Chicago music scene, for 34 year now. The man, and his JBTV show has been showcasing great bands, including lots of up and coming bands, longer than...

Bob Mould 2/23/19 at Metro

Last night was the second and final night of Bob Mould’s two night stint at Chicago’s legendary Metro. Non-stop pouring rain didn’t stop people from packing the place to the rafters for this sold out...

Bob Mould 2/22/19 at Metro

The winter blues are hitting people in Chicago pretty hard this year but this weekend at the Metro was the best cure for them as Bob Mould headlined a pair of shows. Each night he was joined by a different opening act...