Fit For A King – The Fillmore – Minneapolis MN – May 1st 2026

Live Nation and The Fillmore Minneapolis present Fit For a King with special guests Acres, Ten 56 and Invent Animate on May 1st 2026

Review and photos by Brian Underhill 

A Triumphant Return to The Fillmore Minneapolis

Returning to the Twin Cities after stepping away to focus on health is no small thing — but stepping back into the pit with a camera in hand felt like coming home. And if there was ever a night to reignite that passion, this lineup delivered it in full force. The Fillmore Minneapolis hosted a bill stacked with rising talent, international firepower, and genredefining heavyweights, creating a night that reminded everyone why live music hits different.

Acres opened the night with a set that felt far too powerful for an opening slot. From the moment they stepped on stage, they came out swinging—blending raw emotion with technical grit and a sharpened metal edge that cut clean through the room. For many in attendance, myself included, this was an introduction, and it hit with undeniable force.

There was nothing tentative about their performance. Acres carried themselves with the poise and authority of a band far beyond their placement on the bill, locking the crowd in with tight pacing and a surge of relentless energy. Each transition felt deliberate, each crescendo earned, and the audience responded in kind—drawn fully into their orbit.

This wasn’t a band easing into the night—it was a band taking hold of it. Acres didn’t just warm up the room; they set a standard that lingered long after their final note.

Next up at The Fillmore Minneapolis were Ten56, hailing from Paris and clearly determined to leave a mark. “Blowing the roof off” doesn’t quite do it justice—their set hit with such force that even a concrete pillar beside me seemed to vibrate under the weight of it.

Their sound felt like a controlled storm: crushing breakdowns, thunderous bass, razor-sharp technicality, and sudden pivots into smooth, groove-laden passages laced with hip-hop influences. It was chaotic but never careless—every shift was deliberate, every impact precise. The diversity in their sound only added to the intensity, keeping the crowd locked in and constantly off balance in the best way.

Ten56 didn’t just perform—they detonated, leaving the room buzzing long after their final note hit.

Invent Animate followed with a performance that felt like

Invent Animate followed with a performance that felt like a glimpse into metalcore’s future. Their set showcased a rare balance—crushing, down-tuned riffs colliding seamlessly with shimmering ambience and a deep emotional undercurrent.

Every track landed with intent: heavy enough to rattle the room, yet melodic enough to linger long after the final note faded. There was a sense of precision in everything they did, but it never felt sterile—each moment carried weight, building atmosphere as much as impact.

In this current era, Invent Animate seem completely locked in, crafting immersive sonic landscapes rather than simply playing songs. It’s not just progression—it’s direction. They’re not following where the genre is headed; they’re actively shaping it.

Closing the night at The Fillmore Minneapolis, Fit for a King delivered a set that felt like a full-body adrenaline surge. “Begin the Sacrifice” erupted with urgency, instantly pulling the crowd into the chaos and setting the tone for what followed.

“Shelter” soared with melodic strength, offering a moment of lift without losing intensity, while “The Price of Agony” cut deep—driven by raw, unfiltered emotion that resonated across the room. “God of Fire” landed like a shockwave, each breakdown heavier than the last, before “Backbreaker” closed things out with a final, punishing blow.

It was a masterclass in modern heavy music—razor-tight, unrelenting, and impossible to shake. Fit for a King didn’t just close the show; they left it scorched in their wake.

This show wasn’t just a return to concert photography — it was a reminder of why live music matters. From Acres’ raw intensity to Ten56’s explosive unpredictability, from Invent Animate’s forwardthinking artistry to Fit For a King’s dominating finale, the night delivered everything a heavy show should. It was loud, emotional, chaotic, and cathartic. For a first night back, it couldn’t have been more perfect.