The Punk Vault

Cold Waves XIV: King Woman – 9/27/26 at Metro

Sunday was the final night of the 14th Cold Waves Festival which was held at the legendary Metro. This night featured a mix of some Cold Waves regulars and a few new to the fest acts. While it may not have...

Cold Waves XIV: TR/ST – 9/26/26 at Metro

Saturday night was the third night of this year’s Cold Waves Festival, the 14th one for the fest. This night’s lineup was heavy on more recent acts and the overall theme of the band’s sounds...

Cold Waves XIV: Stabbing Westward – 9/25/26 at Metro

Friday started the annual three day run of Cold Waves Festival at Metro. This year was heavier on newer bands, many of them playing for the first time, but Friday had a few veteran acts making a return. First...

Cold Waves XIV: The Tear Garden – 9/24/26 at Bottom Lounge

Cold Waves somehow is 14 years old this. year, which is shocking how fast the years went by but here we are. While Riot Fest closed out the summer last weekend, Cold Waves always kicks off the fall and they...

Riot Fest 2026 Day Three – 9/20/26 at Douglass Park

Thanks to an overnight flash flood rainstorm that lasted the entire night, and then the rain that continued the entirety of Sunday, it turned out to be the most challenging Riot Fest in history. It was...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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Cold Waves XIV: King Woman – 9/27/26 at Metro

Sunday was the final night of the 14th Cold Waves Festival which was held at the legendary Metro. This night featured a mix of some Cold Waves regulars and a few new to the fest acts. While it may not have been as well...

Cold Waves XIV: TR/ST – 9/26/26 at Metro

Saturday night was the third night of this year’s Cold Waves Festival, the 14th one for the fest. This night’s lineup was heavy on more recent acts and the overall theme of the band’s sounds also...

Cold Waves XIV: Stabbing Westward – 9/25/26 at Metro

Friday started the annual three day run of Cold Waves Festival at Metro. This year was heavier on newer bands, many of them playing for the first time, but Friday had a few veteran acts making a return. First up was...

Riot Fest 2026 Day Three – 9/20/26 at Douglass Park

Thanks to an overnight flash flood rainstorm that lasted the entire night, and then the rain that continued the entirety of Sunday, it turned out to be the most challenging Riot Fest in history. It was challenging for...

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 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...

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...

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big’n/Pencil – Split 7″

$4.00

Last remaining copies! Two of the Midwest’s finest do a double team on the unsuspecting listener. big’n dish out “Dirt Farmer,” their finest, most abrasive guitar driven cacophony yet. Pencil...

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This week’s hottest

Cold Waves XIV: King Woman – 9/27/26 at Metro

Sunday was the final night of the 14th Cold Waves Festival which was held at the legendary Metro. This night featured a mix of some Cold Waves regulars and a few new to the fest acts. While it may not have been as well...

Cold Waves XIV: TR/ST – 9/26/26 at Metro

Saturday night was the third night of this year’s Cold Waves Festival, the 14th one for the fest. This night’s lineup was heavy on more recent acts and the overall theme of the band’s sounds also...