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

Girls Against Boys – 10/12/22 at Metro

Wednesday night, Girls Against Boys was finally able to perform once again at Metro to celebrate a milestone event in their career (more on that below). They were part of a stellar three band bill which made for an...

Toadies – 10/9/22 at Metro

Sunday night, after being rescheduled more than once due to the pandemic, Toadies stopped in Chicago to headline a sold out show at Metro as they toured to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their popular debut album...

KMFDM – 10/8/22 at Metro

Last night, KMFDM sold out the Metro when they headline a show in their first return to Chicago since before the pandemic. They were part of a two band bill and the place was already packed solid by the time the first...

Kaelan Mikla – 10/5/22 at Chop Shop

Wednesday night, Kaelan Mikla returned to the USA after a three year absence from touring to headline a show at Chop Shop, a very nice venue in the Wicker Park area of Chicago. The last time (which was also the first...

The Bollweevils – 10/1/22 at Punk The Burbs Fest

Saturday night, The Bollweevils, one of Chicago’s finest punk bands from any generation, played a set during the Punk The Burbs fest at Base Camp in Lisle. The event was an all-day show that featured about a dozen...

Tar – 10/1/22 at Smashed Plastic Live Vol. 1

Saturday, Smashed Plastic Record Pressing held its first ever live music event, called Smashed Plastic Live, Vol. 1. This event featured an entire day’s worth of live bands, plus food trucks and various vendors...

Dinosaur Jr -9/30/22 at The Vic

There has been so many good shows in Chicago lately and it doesn’t look like that is going to change anytime soon. Friday night, Dinosaur Jr returned to the windy city to headline a show at The Vic.It has been a...