Mastodon – The Palace Theater – St. Paul MN – October 3rd 2026

Mastodon, Deafheaven, and Alcest at the Palace Theatre

Written and Photographed by Brian Underhill

When I walked into the Palace Theatre in St. Paul, I knew I was in for a great night of music. Despite being packed with fans, the historic venue maintained an intimate atmosphere, giving concertgoers an up-close and personal view of the artists and their performances.

The lineup featured Alcest, Deafheaven, and Mastodon, three bands with very different approaches to heavy music who came together for the Poisonous Weapons Tour 2026. Each band brought its own identity and energy to the stage, creating a diverse night of music that ultimately came together remarkably well.

Alcest

Alcest opened the show and immediately established a different atmosphere from what many fans might expect from a metal concert. Their music was atmospheric, emotional, and immersive, drawing the audience into a hypnotic, almost dreamlike state before transitioning into heavier guitars and melodic passages.

That contrast between ethereal soundscapes and the intensity of black metal is one of the defining characteristics of Alcest’s music, and it translated extremely well to the live setting. The band created a sense of calm and tension before unleashing heavier sections that pulled the audience deeper into their performance.

Although they were the opening act, Alcest had the crowd’s attention from the beginning. Their set established the perfect mood and tempo for what would become an increasingly intense night.

Deafheaven

Deafheaven followed, and the energy in the room changed dramatically.

Their performance was intense, emotional, and raw. What stood out most was the band’s ability to move between fast, aggressive passages and quieter, more melodic moments without ever losing momentum. The shifts in dynamics gave their set a powerful sense of movement and kept the audience engaged throughout.

The crowd responded enthusiastically to the band’s performance. Deafheaven have developed a dedicated fanbase, and it was easy to understand why. Their ability to combine aggression, atmosphere, melody, and emotion creates a live experience that pulls the audience into the music rather than simply presenting it to them.

By the end of their set, the atmosphere inside the Palace had noticeably intensified, setting the stage perfectly for Mastodon.

Mastodon

When Mastodon took the stage, the crowd was completely charged and ready.

The Grammy-winning band from Atlanta, Georgia, delivered the kind of performance that demonstrated exactly why they have remained one of the most respected and influential bands in heavy music. Mastodon had mentioned that it had been two years since they had last performed in Minnesota, and the audience clearly welcomed their return.

The set drew from across the band’s catalog, giving longtime fans plenty to appreciate while also offering first-time listeners an impressive introduction to the band’s sound.

They opened with “Crazy Train,” a tribute to the late metal legend Ozzy Osbourne, before launching into the thunderous riffs and intricate musicianship that have become synonymous with Mastodon.

Songs such as “Blood and Thunder,” “March of the Ants,” “Megalodon,” and “In Ruins” were particular highlights for me, especially getting the opportunity to hear some of these songs performed live for the first time.

Mastodon’s musicianship was incredible. The complex guitar work, powerful drumming, distinctive vocals, and sheer size of their sound filled the Palace Theatre. Every song felt massive and full, while the band’s years of experience were evident in the confidence with which they commanded the stage.

Mastodon have proven time and again why they remain one of the premier bands in the genre. They delivered exactly what the audience came to see: power, musicianship, and a commanding live performance.

For me, seeing Mastodon live for the first time was an experience I will never forget. It was easy to understand why they remain a go-to band for so many metal fans and why their music continues to have such a lasting influence on the genre.

A Perfect Combination

One of the most enjoyable aspects of this concert was how different each band sounded while still fitting together so well as a lineup.

Alcest brought beauty, atmosphere, and hypnotic melodies combined with the intensity of metal. Deafheaven followed with emotion, aggression, and fast-paced, in-your-face energy. Mastodon closed the night with a powerful and memorable performance that showcased their technical ability and years of experience.

The Palace Theatre’s excellent production helped each performance sound fantastic, while the enthusiasm of the crowd added another layer to the experience. With its spacious general-admission floor, multiple levels of seating, balcony areas, and easy access to the bar, the Palace provided plenty of room for fans to enjoy the show from different vantage points.

Overall, this was one of the most enjoyable metal concerts I have had the opportunity to cover in quite some time. The combination of three talented and very different bands, an enthusiastic audience, and a great venue made for a memorable night.

If you have the opportunity to see Alcest, Deafheaven, or Mastodon live, I highly recommend taking it. Seeing all three share the same stage made this a concert I won’t forget anytime soon.