Haunted Riot with Frightwig

Step into the darker side of San Francisco nightlife with Haunted Riot with Frightwig: An Alt Punk Show, coming to The Chapel on Friday, October 23 at 7:00 PM PDT. Co-presented by KEXP, this one-night-only event combines spooky-season storytelling, San Francisco history, and the raw energy of an alt-punk concert for an evening that feels equal parts ghost story and live-music ritual.

The setting is central to the experience. Long before The Chapel became a celebrated music venue, the building served as a mortuary, giving the historic space an atmosphere that naturally lends itself to a Halloween-season event. Rather than simply decorating a conventional concert venue, Haunted Riot embraces The Chapel’s past and turns its history into part of the night’s entertainment.

The evening begins with a live storytelling presentation from Bay Curious, exploring the eerie, unexpected, and fascinating history of The Chapel and its former life. This opening set is designed to establish the mood, giving attendees a glimpse into the stories connected to the building before the music takes over.

Once the storytelling concludes, the atmosphere shifts from haunting history to full-volume punk energy. AroMa opens the musical portion of the evening, followed by Frightwig, a pioneering San Francisco punk band whose presence makes the event particularly fitting for the city’s alternative music community. Expect an energetic live environment where the room’s historic character meets loud guitars, driving rhythms, and the unpredictable spirit of punk.

The result is more than a standard concert. Haunted Riot combines local history, storytelling, and live music into a distinctly seasonal experience. It offers attendees the chance to hear unusual stories about one of San Francisco’s atmospheric venues before experiencing the building in an entirely different way—as a room filled with the sound and energy of an alt-punk show.

The event is all ages, making it accessible to a broad audience of music fans and curious locals alike. The show begins at 7:00 PM PDT on Friday, October 23, so guests should plan to arrive with enough time to settle in before the storytelling begins.

For anyone looking for an October event that goes beyond the usual Halloween party, Haunted Riot with Frightwig: An Alt Punk Show offers a memorable combination of ghosts, history, storytelling, and punk. Come for the strange stories, stay for the music, and experience The Chapel as you’ve never seen it before.