In almost any concert venue, as the lights begin to dim, and energy builds — the crowd screams, and gets ready for a night of amazing music. In Minneapolis, however, the First Ave Main Room was still full of this intense energy, but it had a twist to it. This concert was unlike any other show you’ve been to.
On Feb. 15, local organization Twin Cities United Performers (TCUP) hosted an ICE OUT fundraiser show in downtown Minneapolis that saw 1,500+ attendees in a sold out room. MC’d by Space Monkey Mafia and TCUP member Dante Leyva, this show raised over $70,000 for families that are struggling under the effects of the ICE occupancy. In a time fueled by anger, fear and grief, this ICE OUT show was a perfect example of solidarity, power and headbanging. The music gave an outlet for all of those emotions, and seeing the people of Minneapolis dance, sing and mosh away those fears created hope in real time.
The iconic lineup consisted of 26bats!, papa mbye, Durry and Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon, as well as headlining indie-rock band Hippo Campus. Money was raised throughout the night via tickets and merch sales, as well as a silent auction hosted by TCUP with items like a beautiful green Fender Player II Stratocaster, tattoo sessions with local artists, limited edition prints of Minnesota’s own beloved and iconic Prince, a pair of tickets to any First Ave show for the rest of 2026 and much more.
The openers of the night had such incredible vibes. The night started out with trip-hop band 26bats! who brought out a stellar energy alongside some anti-ICE chants. “Fuck ICE,” the group yelled on stage, with the crowd yelling it back just as loudly. Following them was papa mbye, an experimental pop artist who radiated magic. Next up was brother-sister indie rock band Durry who absolutely owned the stage.
What made this show so special and unique was its vast array of special guests that performed with headliner Hippo Campus. From covering songs like “Blackbird” with Mike Kota to “War Pigs” with Low’s Alan Sparhawk, this event had a little something for everyone. There were over 20 special guests invited on stage during Hippo Campus’ set, including performers like Kerry Alexander from Bad Bad Hats, Craig Finn from The Hold Steady, and Nadi McGill from Gully Boys who was also the lead TCUP organizer that helped put the show into motion. Each song featured a different selection of guests throughout the entire set, with an intermission by none other than Justin Vernon from Bon Iver. Vernon’s quick set featured a few of his songs accompanied by his piano, a soft guitar and a silent crowd in awe.
The crowd was very pleasant to be a part of. Everyone was listening intently, helping pass back water from the barricade, participating in chants and singing along with pride — even further proof that Minnesotans don’t play when it comes to their neighbors. During a transition between sets lead organizer of the event, McGill returned to the stage for a speech.
“Home is not just a place on the map, it is the people beside you. It is the strangers that become family in the chorus of the song. It is the way the room vibrates when we decide silence is not an option,” McGill said. “A sold out show like this is not just about music, it is about power. Collective power that grows when we refuse to look away from injustice.”
The night closed out with smiles on faces, and an incredible amount of mutual aid. TCUP and Hippo Campus not only put together a killer show, but put together a historic event surrounding the community and their love for music.
Keep up with everyone below:
26bats! Spotify / Apple Music / Instagram
papa mbye Spotify / Apple Music / Instagram
Durry Spotify / Apple Music / Instagram
Justin Vernon Spotify / Apple Music / Instagram
Hippo Campus Spotify / Apple Music / Instagram
