The seventh edition of FOREVER DEAF FEST – set to descend upon Chicago on April 10th and 11th – is pleased to welcome Young Widows as their Friday headliner!
Most recent offering, Power Sucker (2025, Temporary Residence) is the very reason that Young Widows are still a band after an 11-year creative pause; they remain masters at making music with equal parts sonic and emotional weight. Young Widows has inspired scores of underground artists across the globe with their unique collage of noise-rock, hardcore, and post-punk and are the perfect addition to this year’s FOREVER DEAF FEST.
FOREVER DEAF FEST will take place at Sleeping Village and Avondale Music Hall with a special after show party at Live Wire Lounge. In addition to Young Widows, the epic weekend will include sets by Atomic Rule (featuring members of Every Time I Die, Dry Kill Logic, Acacia Strain, and Eternal Sleep), SeeYouNextTuesday, Motherless (featuring members of The Atlas Moth and Without Waves), Weekend Nachos performing their only Chicago area show of 2026, Scalp, Year Of The Knife, Plague Bringer (their first show in a decade), HeWhoCorrupts, Mellow Harsher, and day two headliners Pig Destroyer blazing through their monumental Prowler In The Yard full-length in its ravaging entirety (a 25-year album anniversary celebration and their only Midwest show).
Event sponsors include Medalla Light, (the best-selling, iconic light lager from Puerto Rico), Still Austin Whisky, Five Star HVAC, Futuro Pizza, Bud & Rita’s Dispensary, and Kuma’s Corner, Chicago’s renowned heavy metal-themed burger restaurant which will host their annual FOREVER DEAF FEST Burger featuring Kuma’s angus beef patty (or choice of protein), hot italian sausage, spicy mustard glazed salami, crispy prosciutto, pepperjack, and giardiniera mayo. Kuma’s will also offer special DJ sets/preview events throughout the week prior to the fest’s kick off.
Additionally, Forever Deaf Productions will donate $1 per ticket towards Head Bang For Science, an annual scholarship award program for high school seniors, undergrads, and grad students who are pursuing a career in healthcare and/or the physical sciences. It’s the first scholarship foundation to directly provide financial aid to metalheads and was founded by SiriusXM curator/host and former pharmacy grad student Jose “Metal Ambassador” Mangin in 2021.
The FOREVER DEAF FEST lineup and ticketing info is available below. Secure your tickets now! This will sell out!
Friday, April 10th, 2026: Sleeping Village – 21+ ($24 + fees)
Young Widows
Atomic Rule
SeeYouNextTuesday
Motherless
Find ticketing info HERE.
Saturday, April 11th, 2026: Avondale Music Hall – 17+ ($49 + fees)
Pig Destroyer
Weekend Nachos
Scalp
Year Of The Knife
Plague Bringer
HeWhoCorrupts
Mellow Harsher
Find ticketing info HERE.
Saturday, April 11th, 2026: Live Wire Lounge – 21+ ($10)
Speedfreak
What began as a showcase for local talent back in 2018 has become one of the premier festivals on Chicago’s annual metal calendar. Forever Deaf Productions aims to bring the heaviest riffs to venues across the city and hosts FOREVER DEAF FEST each Spring.
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