Cold Waves Festival

Lineup

• TR/ST
• Stabbing Westward
• King Woman
• Tear Garden
• Youth Code
• N8NOFACE
• Chalk
• Acumen Nation
• 16Volt
• Spike Hellis
• Bragolin
• Die Sexual
• Black Cross Hotel
• Scary Lady Sarah (DJ)

Schedule

1. Sept. 24 — Thursday Kickoff: Bottom Lounge kickoff show; announced billing includes Tear Garden, Bragolin, and Carrellee in social/listing materials.
2. Sept. 25 — Friday: Metro main night plus late GMan programming; Stabbing Westward and PIG appear in announced billing.
3. Sept. 26 — Saturday: Metro listing: TR/ST, Haunt Me, NGHTCRWLR, Die Sexual, NUXX, and Clubdrugs; doors 6 p.m., show 7 p.m.
4. Sept. 27 — Sunday: Final Metro night; check official/Metro schedule for final running order and after-show details.

What to expect

The 14th Cold Waves — four nights of industrial, post-punk and experimental music across three Chicago rooms: Metro, the adjacent GMan Tavern (late-night after-shows), and Bottom Lounge for the Thursday opener. The 2026 bill runs ~24 acts plus DJs, headlined by TR/ST, Stabbing Westward, King Woman, and Tear Garden, with Youth Code, N8NOFACE, Chalk and more. Founded in 2012 in memory of Chicago engineer Jamie Duffy, it doubles as a fundraiser for Darkest Before Dawn, a mental-health and suicide-prevention cause for the music and service-industry community.

Tickets

Ticketed per show/venue, with a discounted 3-Day Metro Pass listed by Metro. Metro Saturday listing shows $55 advance, $65 day-of, and $145 3-Day Metro Pass; GMan after-shows are 21+ and separate/late-night. Check coldwaves.net and Metro for the exact night you want.

Transit

Metro and GMan sit in Wrigleyville — CTA Red Line → Addison is a block away, and the #22 Clark and #152 Addison buses run close. Driving on a Cubs-adjacent weekend is rough; take the Red Line.

Bag policy

Standard club-venue security at each room. Metro main-stage shows are 18+; the GMan after-shows are 21+.

Family-friendly

No — these are 18+/21+ club shows in bars and music venues, running late into the night.

History

Cold Waves was founded in 2012 in memory of Chicago sound engineer and musician Jamie Duffy, with the first event raising funds for his family. Produced by Cracknation, it has grown into a multi-city run (Los Angeles, Austin, and its Chicago home) and a fundraiser for Darkest Before Dawn, a mental-health and suicide-prevention cause for the music and service-industry community. The 2026 Chicago edition is its 14th.

Local tips

1. Decide early whether you are doing single nights or the 3-Day Metro Pass. The pass is the value if you are in for the whole world.
2. Thursday is at Bottom Lounge, not Metro. Do not autopilot to Wrigleyville on night one.
3. GMan after-shows are next to Metro and 21+. They are where the weekend gets smaller, darker, and later.
4. Ear protection is not optional if you value your hearing; this is an industrial/post-punk festival with physical volume.
5. Remember the benefit origin. Cold Waves grew out of loss in Chicago's music community, which is why the charity piece is more than branding.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Cold Waves Chicago 2026 held?

Across Bottom Lounge, Metro, and GMan Tavern.

Who is on the 2026 lineup?

Announced/covered names include TR/ST, Stabbing Westward, King Woman, Tear Garden, Bragolin, Youth Code, Spike Hellis, PIG, 16volt, Haunt Me, Die Sexual, NGHTCRWLR, and more.

Is there a festival pass?

Metro lists a discounted 3-Day Metro Pass alongside single-day tickets; some shows and GMan after-shows may be ticketed separately.

What is the age policy?

Metro main-stage shows are generally 18+; GMan Tavern after-shows are 21+.

What does Cold Waves support?

The official site describes Cold Waves as a fundraiser connected to suicide-prevention charities and the memory of Chicago sound engineer/musician Jamie Duffy.