Prince Daddy & the Hyena in Minneapolis

About Prince Daddy & the Hyena

Prince Daddy & the Hyena are a post-hardcore band from Fort Wayne, Indiana who've built a devoted following through relentless touring and a willingness to get messy with their sound. They emerged in the mid-2010s as part of a wave of bands digging into heavier, more abrasive territory while maintaining the emotional weight of emo and alternative rock. Their records are dense, layered things that reward repeated listening—full of unexpected turns and moments where screaming guitars suddenly pull back to let vocals breathe. The band's live reputation comes from a kind of controlled chaos, with frontman Kellen Hertz delivering vocals that range from melodic to gutural across the same song. They've never chased trends or tried to be polished, which is exactly why people keep showing up. Their fanbase tends to be deeply invested, the kind who know B-sides and remember specific setlist variations from tours past.

Their shows are physically demanding affairs where the pit gets legitimately intense but never unfriendly. Kellen rarely leaves the stage without looking completely wrung out. People sing every word.

Known for Torment, Waste, Come Together, Shape Shifter, Cosmic Joke

Prince Daddy & the Hyena + Minneapolis

Prince Daddy & the Hyena have quietly built a reputation in Minneapolis, a city that doesn't ignore scrappy, intelligent indie rock. Their May 2025 stop at Varsity Theater felt like a homecoming of sorts—the kind of show where a packed room hung on every word. They worked through material with the precision of a band that's learned to make small venues feel essential, the kind of set where songs like their catalog staples landed with the force of something newly written. The crowd fed back what the band was putting out, and by the encore, it was clear why Minneapolis keeps calling them back.

Prince Daddy & the Hyena in Minneapolis News

• Prince Daddy & The Hyena Announce New Album Hotwire Trip Switch : Hear “Big-Box Store Heart” Stereogum · Mar 3, 2026
• Prince Daddy & the Hyena announce new album 'Hotwire Trip Switch,' share new song BrooklynVegan · Mar 3, 2026
• Photos: Motion City Soundtrack celebrate 20 years of I Am the Movie at The Truman Kansas City Pitch · Jun 21, 2024
• Ranking the Twin Cities’ concert venues hamlineoracle.com · Nov 15, 2023
• Tours: Joyce Manor/Citizen/Prince Daddy & The Hyena/Phony (US & CAN) Punknews · May 19, 2022

Live Music in Minneapolis

Minneapolis has always had room for the kind of indie rock that doesn't need a massive stage to justify itself—a legacy stretching back decades of bands that built followings through actual musicianship rather than hype. Prince Daddy & the Hyena fit that lineage perfectly. The city's venues, from tiny clubs to mid-sized theaters like Varsity, create the perfect ecosystem for bands doing smart, angular rock that rewards repeated listening. It's a scene that values substance over flash, and that's exactly what this band delivers.

Minneapolis road trip to see Prince Daddy & the Hyena?

Stay in the Northeast Minneapolis arts district—it's where the city's creative energy actually lives, with galleries, vintage shops, and the Mississippi River nearby. Eat at Café Alma in the same neighborhood for restrained, high-quality Italian cooking. Spend an afternoon at the Walker Art Center, which sits on a rise overlooking downtown and has genuine landscape appeal. Grab coffee at Spyhouse, a roaster that takes itself seriously without the performative nonsense. The Stone Arch Bridge is worth a walk if the weather cooperates.