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

KMFDM – 11/1/24 at Metro

Last night was the end of KMFDM’s two night run at Metro, and it also marked the end of their tour celebrating 40 years of KMFDM. The Metro was just as packed as the night before, possibly even more so and the...

KMFDM – 10/31/24 at Metro

Halloween offered a real treat over at Metro where KMFDM was playing the first of their two night run at the city’s most beloved music venue. Can you think of a better way to celebrate the spooky holiday than an...

Local H – 10/16/24 at Metro

On Wednesday night, beloved Chicago based rock duo, Local H, presented a special night of their music at the Metro. The band is celebrating the 20th anniversary of their fan-favorite album, What Ever Happened To PJ...

Cold Cave – 10/6/24 at Thalia Hall

Sunday night, Cold Cave made a welcome return to Chicago when they headlined a show at Thalia Hall. It was a great night for a show, even if it was a school night (replace school with work for us old-timers), and Thalia...

Riot Fest 2024 Day Three – 9/22/24 at Douglass Park

Sunday was the final day of Riot Fest and much like the Sunday last year, there was rain. Thankfully the rain only delayed the fest opening by an hour, but the first part of the day was a wet one, but that didnt’...

Riot Fest 2024 Day Two – 9/21/24 at Douglass Park

Saturday was another sunny and hot day, unseasonably so, but that’s a much better way to endure a full day festival than during a rainstorm and a massive crowd piled into Douglass Park for the second day of Riot...

Riot Fest 2024 Day One – 9/20/22 at Douglass Park

While the end of summer is always sad, at least it ends on a huge high note because Riot Fest was here last weekend to close out the season. This long-running and ever evolving festival went through some more changes...

Idles – 9/18/24 at Aragon Ballroom

Last night, Idles made their eagerly anticipated return to Chicago to headline a show at the Aragon Ballroom. The band first announced this tour way back in the winter when they released their latest album, Tangk. It...