Bad Omens – Target Center – Minneapolis MN – March 2nd 2026
Bad Omens with Beartooth and President – Target Center – Minneapolis, MN – March 2nd 2026
Review and photos by Kate Klaus
Bad Omens photos by Bryan Kirks
Bad Omens tore through the Target Center as they brought their “Do You Feel Love – North American Tour” to Minneapolis, backed by a powerhouse lineup featuring Beartooth and mysterious newcomers President on Monday, March 2nd.
Masked British metalcore group opened the night with an air of mystery and a haunting undertone. Having built their reputation around anonymity and theatrical imagery, they took the stage to a dark atmosphere, with just a pulpit-like structure at the front center of the stage, with a neon pink cross-like emblem on it. They leaned fully into that dark, cinematic aesthetic, with their sound moving between crushing metalcore breakdowns and synth-laden passages that gave the songs a haunting and almost industrial edge. Songs like “In the Name of the Father” and “Fearless” showed their ability to balance melody with heaviness, while the vocalist’s commanding and eerie stage presence drew the early crowd in quickly. Even as the first band of the night, President managed to command the arena with an intensity that felt far bigger than an opening slot. Their mysterious identity and genre-blending sound made them one of the most intriguing acts on the bill, setting the stage perfectly for the high-energy performances that followed.
After President’s dark and atmospheric opening set, Beartooth stormed the stage and immediately kicked the energy in the arena up another level, although it was a shift from their more explosive live shows into a darker and more brooding atmosphere this time around. From the lighting to the pacing of the set, there was a sense that frontman Caleb Shomo was steering the band into a slightly heavier or deeper emotional space, something that felt closely aligned with the darker emotion and introspection hinted at in their newest single “Free”. Shomo remains one of the most compelling frontmen in modern rock, balancing raw intensity with moments of vulnerability and heart that resonate strongly with the crowd, and at times he seemed visibly moved or impacted by the performance and the crowd response. Vocally he moved effortlessly between aggressive screams and soaring choruses, and even with the darker tone, Beartooth still delivered the kind of massive sing-along moments that have become a hallmark of their shows, with the crowd shouting back lyrics as if they were personal anthems. Musically, the band sounded as tight as ever, with crushing guitar riffs and pounding drums filling the Target Center while Shomo commanded the stage with relentless energy, and interestingly, the lower production and darker aesthetic allowed the music to more prominently be absorbed. But the subtle shift in mood was unmistakable. The performance carried a weight that felt more introspective and atmospheric than some of their previous tours, giving longtime fans a glimpse of an evolving creative direction while still delivering the high-energy performance Beartooth is known for.
When Bad Omens finally took the stage, the anticipation that had been building inside the Target Center all night exploded into a performance that felt massive from the very first moments. Frontman Noah Sebastian commanded the arena with a calm confidence, moving effortlessly between haunting, atmospheric vocals and heavier moments that sent waves of energy through the crowd. The production that their shows are knows for was intense and perfectly matched to the fire in the music and the band’s energy, with blinding lights and captivating laser displays, as well as a very well-done cinematic effect with the screens behind the artists. The unbelievable rise that Bad Omens has had over the past few years is apparent in the strength of the entire group, with drummer Nick Folio driving the set with relentless precision and control and exceptionally tight rhythms and power. On guitar, Joakim “Jolly” Karlsson added a sharp, technical edge to the performance. His lead guitar work carried many of the band’s most dramatic melodic moments, weaving soaring leads through the band’s darker electronic textures. Karlsson is also heavily involved in the band’s production and songwriting, and that layered, cinematic quality was easy to hear live as he moved between heavy riffs and atmospheric passages. Nicholas Ruffilo held down the low end on bass while also contributing backing vocals that helped thicken the massive choruses Bad Omens is known for. His presence on stage helped tie the band together musically, reinforcing the groove during heavier sections while keeping the melodic moments grounded.
What makes Bad Omens stand out live is their ability to control the pacing of a show. One moment the room would fall into near silence during a more atmospheric passage, and the next the entire arena would erupt as the band dropped into a massive chorus or breakdown. Fans sang along to nearly every word, turning songs like “Just Pretend”, “The Death of Peace of Mind,” and “Like a Villain” into huge communal moments. It was the kind of performance that showed exactly why Bad Omens has become one of the most talked-about bands in modern rock and metal, and by the end of the night, the lineup proved to be a perfect balance of atmosphere, intensity, and massive arena energy. President set the stage with their mysterious and theatrical presence, Beartooth pushed the night into darker and more emotionally charged territory, and Bad Omens delivered the kind of cinematic performance that held the entire Target Center in its grip. With thousands of voices echoing through the arena and the band closing the night with the absolute banger “Dethrone”, it was a reminder of just how powerful a live show can be when every piece of the lineup clicks into place.
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