The Punk Vault

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...

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 night. First up was Soft Vein...

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 eating being from another...

Category - Show Reviews

Channel 3 and Destroy Everything 10/22/11 at Reggies

Saturday night, punk rock veterans Channel 3 made their long-awaited return to Chicago to headline a show at Reggies. It had been a few years since the band played a show here and they were long overdue for a visit...

The Bangles 10/10/11 at House of Blues

Just because Riot Fest ended the night before didn’t mean concerts in Chicago would come to a halt. The very next night the House of Blues hosted the long-awaited return of 1980s pop stars The Bangles. The band...

Riot Fest 2011: Secret show with Marky Ramone

After the Weezer show let out (and the 7 Seconds show over at Bottom Lounge) there was just one event left for this year’s Riot Fest and it was the last of the secret shows. This show was being held at the AAA...

Riot Fest 2011: Weezer at Congress Theater 10/9/11

Sunday marked the last night of Riot Fest which was an action packed and exhausting week where memories are made and sometimes reunions both in bands and friends take place. This year the closing of Riot Fest saw a...

Riot Fest 2011: Descendents 10/8/11 at Congress Theater

Saturday was the longest day of Riot Fest as the show was an all day affair at the Congress Theater. More than a dozen bands took the stage that day so those who were ambitious could spend the entire day there starting...

Riot Fest 2011: All at Bottom Lounge 10/6 and 10/7

As Riot Fest continued during the week, the shows were starting to split up between venues which sometimes made fans have to choose which show to see but this year it was a little friendlier and due to some later start...