The Punk Vault

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...

Nitzer Ebb – 8/22/26 at Metro

Saturday night, industrial music legends Nitzer Ebb made a welcome return to Chicago once again to headline a show at Metro. It was a three band bill that featured two veteran acts alongside a newer one that may not have been familiar to a lot of...

Eagles Of Death Metal – 8/21/26 at Metro

Friday night was an exciting night in Chicago because Eagles Of Death Metal made their return to headline a show at the beloved Metro. The place was packed full of fans eager for a good night of rock and roll. First up was Mountain Head. This three...

Category - Show Reviews

Wolves in the Throne Room – 9/30/23 at Metro

Saturday night, Wolves in the Throne Room made their long awaited return to Chicago to headline their biggest show in the city yet at the Metro. They were joined by three other bands for a great night of metal. They all...

Cold Waves XI Day Three – 9/24/23 at Metro

Sunday night was the third and final night of the Cold Waves Festival at Metro. It was bittersweet that this was going to be the last show for the fest until next year, but they sure closed it on a high note! Rabbit...

Cold Waves XI Day Two – 9/23/23 at Metro

Saturday was the second night of Cold Waves at Metro and they had a couple of big names headlining this evening, including one that hasn’t played in Chicago in ages! Just like the previous night, some more recent...

Cold Waves XI Day One – 9/22/23 at Metro

The first weekend of fall means two things, winter depression is coming soon and the Cold Waves Festival returns to Metro! The fest definitely is the highlight of fall and they had a pretty solid lineup for this year...

Riot Fest 2023 Day Three – 9/17/23 at Douglass Park

Well it was a good streak of avoiding the wrath of Mother Nature, but that streak came to a wet halt on Sunday. morning when the city woke up to it pouring rain. This forced Riot Fest to have a rain delay that lasted a...

Riot Fest 2023 Day Two – 9/16/23 at Douglass Park

Saturday was the second day of Riot Fest 2023, and while the weather wasn’t as nice, the brief light rain didn’t slow things down at all and caused no issues so the show went on uninterrupted. The weather...

Riot Fest 2023 Day One – 9/15/23 at Douglass Park

The last weekend of summer also happens to be the best weekend of summer if you’re a music fan, and that’s because it is Riot Fest! The city’s (and possibly the world’s) best outdoor music...

Cheap Trick – 7/16/23 at Metro

Last night the Metro brought out the big guns to close out its year long celebration of its 40th anniversary by having Cheap Trick play there! Talk about saving the best for last! The band has played at Metro a few...