The Punk Vault

Cold Waves XIV: The Tear Garden – 9/24/26 at Bottom Lounge

Cold Waves somehow is 14 years old this. year, which is shocking how fast the years went by but here we are. While Riot Fest closed out the summer last weekend, Cold Waves always kicks off the fall and they always do it in style. This year was no...

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...

Category - Show Reviews

Lydia Lunch Retro Virus 6/26/14 at Reggies

Thursday night the legendary, Lydia Lunch, graced Chicago with her presence when she put on a musical performance billed as Lydia Lunch Retro Virus. This special event took place at Reggies, which is one of the finest...

D.I. 6/19/14 at Reggie’s

Thursday night while it was pouring rain outside, D.I. performed alongside a few other bands for those who braved the elements and wanted to stay up late on a weeknight. D.I. has been around for over 30 years now and...

Gary Numan 3/29/14 at Metro

The Metro was nearly at capacity Saturday night as electronic music fans turned out in droves for a somewhat rare chance to see Gary Numan perform. Numan doesn’t tour that often so when he does it is a real treat...

Skinny Puppy 2/21/14 at The Vic

Time sure flies and it’s scary to think that Skinny Puppy recently passed their 30th birthday. Granted for close to ten of those 30 years the band had been broken up but it is still one hell of an impressive...

Protest The Hero 12/07/2013 Bottom Lounge

written by Staff photos by Maureen Vana This past Saturday Protest the Hero hit the stage at the Bottom Lounge with The Contortionist, Affiance and The Kindred. If you are a progressive metal fan of bands like Between...

Emilie Autumn 11/20/2013 at House of Blues

written by Staff photos by Maureen Vana Emilie Autumn made a stop at the House of Blues this month on tour promoting her third studio album, Fight Like A Girl. Traveling along side Emilie and her Bloody Crumpets is...

Monster Magnet 11/16/2013 Bottom Lounge

written by Doc Metal photos by Maureen Vana When i was 13 years old, the first unsupervised concert I paid to go see was Monster Magnet with Corrosion of Conformity here in the Windy City.  That show opened up an...