Girl at the Rock Shows

Is three hours of sleep enough to get me through day two of a music festival? I don’t know, but we’ll find out. I love festivals so much because I get to see so many bands and get introduced to so many new ones that I have never heard of before. That was exactly what happened on day one of Snow & Flurry Fest at Underground Music Cafe & Venue in downtown Minneapolis. I’m a few degrees removed from the hardcore scene these days, but it’s a scene that I hold near and dear to my heart, so I was excited for a reintroduction of sorts on Saturday. There were seventeen bands, and, naturally, I caught them all, so let’s jump right into the day, which started promptly at 12:30.

Ethic – Although they were the first band of the day and it was only 12:30 PM, Ethic was ready to light the torch of the day, and the audience was ready to carry it. They didn’t hold back and instantly got the audience worked into a frenzy of flying limbs.

Cudgel – Giving us a taste of what North Dakota has to offer in the form of hardcore, Cudgel kept the energy high and gave the audience their own brand of hardcore that kept the energy high. While watching the audience, I couldn’t help but wonder if this energy would be able to last through the marathon of a day.

Enemy of Man – I loved the fact that Enemy of Man brought up the age thing. Sure, the audience and most of the bands leaned into the younger side of things, but Enemy of Man was there to remind everyone that hardcore is for, well, everyone and, since I was already feeling pain in my feet, I think I really needed their reminder that this isn’t just a young kid’s game.

Totaled – Trying to play favorites of Saturday and the weekend in general is a next-to-impossible ask, but if I had to choose a band that really stood out to me on Saturday, it would be Totaled. This band was electrifying in both energy and sound. These guys are from Peoria, IL, which, I know, is just a hop, skip, and a jump away, but I hope I get a chance to see them here in the Twin Cities again.

Another Enemy– I wouldn’t say that Another Enemy didn’t bring energy; they did, but it just felt like it took on a bit of a different tone. There was more of a focus on emotion rather than intensity to me and that was a nice little break from the beautiful but relentless assault on my ears.

Velocity – Indiana-based Velocity didn’t just catch my attention because it was the first group to feature a female vocalist; they caught my attention because of the infectious groove that their brand of hardcore brought to the speakers. It was as unique as it was perfect.

Meantime – It wasn’t easy for Meantime to make it across the border from Winnipeg, but I’m so glad they went through the stress of it all because this was another favorite of mine. From the jumps to the sound, this band was absolutely on point throughout their quick set on Saturday.

Self Interest – It was really fun to see and hear how different states do hardcore and, although I feel like Ohio has very little to offer as far as being a “cool place,” they definitely have something to offer when it comes to their brand of hardcore based on what Self Interest gave the audience.

Blood Stained Concrete – Things got way darker when Blood Stained Concrete took the stage, and I don’t mean that just because the lights went from somewhat bright to frustratingly dark. The sound of this LA-based band seemed to lean a bit more into something a bit more metal in a way, and although I’m not sure that it was for me, I loved the change-up they brought to the speakers.

SKEWED – I was super excited to check out this Minneapolis-based band because I instantly recognized the drummer as one of the event organizers. How he pulled off a flawless set while helping run this thing is beyond me, but that’s not the only thing that struck me about this band. SKEWED made hardcore seem effortless and polished, but with grit behind it that adds to the genre’s allure. I’m not sure what rock I’ve been living under, but I will be seeing this band again sooner rather than later.

Neolithic – After a quick dinner break, Neolithic got the audience back into the zone and back into a flurry of flying limbs in such a perfect way. Their set was highlighted by the vocalist smashing a can against his head until the can sprayed all over and left his head bloody. Dramatic? Absolutely but it added that spice you needed to get back into the swing of things after the dinner break.

Lead Spirit – Again, it’s impossible to play favorites here but, if I had to, Lead Spirit would definitely be on that list. Their sound reminded me a bit more of the style of hardcore that brought me into the genre. It was upbeat and infectious in a way while still holding intensity in the highest regard.

Swing Low – This was only Swing Low’s second show back since a hiatus, but you wouldn’t have guessed that from watching them. They were on point when it came to both their energy and their sound.

Withdrawal – It has been fourteen years since Withdrawal has played in the Twin Cities and, honestly, you could feel that. The excitement in the room as this band took the stage was electric and there wasn’t a single person in the audience who was going to let a second of their short set pass them by.

Dose – I’m notorious for giving my home state of Iowa a hard time, and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon, but I do plan on spending some more time digging into what’s happening musically there because Iowa-based Dose absolutely nailed their set on Saturday.

Freya – Although second to last, it almost felt like the show was just starting as Freya powered through their short set. An influential band in the scene featuring Earth Crisis member Karl, I loved the fact that Freya kept the idea of unity in the forefront of their set.

JUDGE – Closing out night one of Snow & Flurry was the only and only JUDGE. Although it had been a long day, the audience erupted the second this legendary NYC-based band took the stage and didn’t stop until the bitter end of the night.

And there you have it– day one of Snow & Flurry Fest 2026. I am definitely not the only person who will be feeling it today. I’m sure there are bumps and bruises all over the place based on the sheer energy that came off of the audience throughout day one but I have a feeling that that’s not going to stop anyone from coming back on Sunday for another dose of some of the best hardcore that the Twin Cities and beyond has to offer.