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 XIII Day Three – 9/28/25 at Metro

Sunday was the third and final days of this year’s Cold Waves Fest. It was another six band bill and most of the acts were making their first Cold Waves appearance. The Metro was packed mostly full for this final...

Cold Waves XIII Day Two – 9/27/25 at Metro

Cold Waves XIII continued on Saturday at Metro with a lineup heavy on newer bands, plus a couple of return visits. It was a pretty diverse lineup and a whole lot of fun. E.T., which does not feature the Recees Pieces...

Cold Waves XIII Day One – 9/26/25 at Metro

While Riot Fest marks the end of summer, one week later every year Cold Waves ushers in the fall every year with a weekend spectacle of Industrial/Dark Wave/Goth. This is the the lucky 13th year for the festival, which...

Naked Raygun – Riot Fest Late Night 9/21/25 at Metro

As if the three days of Riot Fest 20 weren’t exciting enough, they closed the weekend out with something very special and unexpected when Naked Raygun headlined the final Late Night show at Metro. Billed as...

Riot Fest 20 Day Three – 9/21/25 at Douglass Park

Sunday was the third and final day of the 20th Riot Fest and they were fixing to go out on a real high note. The weather forecast was threatening rain and storms but none of it happened and instead we got a perfectly...

Riot Fest 20 Day Two – 9/20/25 at Douglass Park

Riot Fest continued on Saturday bright an early with another completely full day of great bands and great fun. We got a little bit of rain but nothing that slowed things down at all and was just more of a brief nuisance...

Riot Fest 20 Day One – 9/19/25 at Douglass Park

This year was a major milestone as Riot Fest, the best outdoor festival to ever do it, turned 20 years old! The fest started as a two-day indoor show at the Congress Theater (RIP) and over the first half of the...

The Damned – 9/17/25 at The Vic

Part of the fun of Riot Fest every year is the associated “Riot Fest Late Night” shows that take place on the evenings surrounding the big fest. This year we got a real treat two days prior to the fest when...