The Punk Vault

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...

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...

Category - Show Reviews

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...

The Bollweevils – 5/27/23 at Chop Shop

Saturday night was a pretty special one as The Bollweevils, one of Chicago’s most beloved and longest running punk rock bands, was headlining a show at the Chop Shop to celebrate the release of their first new...

Placebo – 4/21/23 at The Salt Shed

On Friday night, Placebo made their long awaited return to Chicago to headline a show at The Salt Shed. This new venue is amazing and you couldn’t have asked for a better venue to pack in a few thousand eager...

The Charlatans UK and Ride – 2/7/23 at The Vic

Tuesday night it was a 90s British Invasion when The Charlatans UK and Ride co-headlined a sold out show at The Vic here in Chicago. The two bands are currently on a tour where they share top billing, and each band is...

Sunn O))) 12/13/22 at Thalia Hall

Tuesday night, Thalia Hall was packed near capacity with eager music fans looking to wrap up the year with a performance by the legendary Sunn O))). They had a couple of great local acts on the bill with them and it was...

Lemonheads – 12/10/22 at Metro

Saturday night was a trip back to the 1990s when the Lemonheads came back to town after a long hiatus and they even brought Juliana Hatfield with them! This was more than enough to easily sell out the Metro, and sell...