Concert Review: Flyleaf Celebrates 20 Years at a Sold-Out Fillmore Minneapolis Show

Some concerts are just another night out. Others feel like a full-circle moment. Flyleaf’s sold-out stop at The Fillmore Minneapolis on July 19 was undoubtedly the latter.

The 20 Year Anniversary Tour marks Flyleaf’s first official tour with original vocalist Lacey Sturm since her departure from the band in 2012. While the reunited lineup has appeared at various festivals over the years, this tour gives fans the chance to experience the band in a full headlining setting once again.

Supported by Heidi Shepherd & Henry Flury of Butcher Babies and Islander, the evening showcased a diverse range of sounds and emotions before culminating in a powerful performance from a band that helped define an era of alternative rock and hard rock for so many fans.

Heidi Shepherd & Henry Flury of Butcher Babies

Going into the night, I genuinely didn’t know what to expect from the opening act. Seeing only Heidi Shepherd and Henry Flury listed on the bill left me curious, and it wasn’t until after their first song, a cover of Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” that they introduced themselves as members of Butcher Babies.

That revelation caught me off guard. While I’m familiar with Butcher Babies and a handful of their songs, I wasn’t expecting such a stripped-down performance from musicians known for a much heavier sound.

Joined by an additional guitarist, the duo delivered an intimate acoustic set that showcased a completely different side to their artistry. Following their opening cover, they performed an acoustic rendition of their newer song “Blame It on the Wind” highlighting the strength of the songwriting without the band’s usual intensity.

The remainder of the set consisted primarily of cover songs, along with an acoustic performance of their original track “Sincerity.”.  While it wasn’t the type of set I expected heading into the evening, it provided a relaxed and personal atmosphere that served as a nice contrast to what would follow later in the night. More importantly, it gave the audience the opportunity to see a different and more vulnerable side of the musicians behind Butcher Babies.

Islander

If the first set was calm and restrained, Islander completely flipped the script.

Having never heard the band before, I went in with no expectations and left genuinely impressed. From the moment they hit the stage, Islander delivered nonstop energy, immediately transforming the mood inside the venue. Their sound brought me back to the early 2000s, blending the aggression and groove of nu metal with influences reminiscent of bands like Deftones and Rage Against the Machine.

The crowd was fully invested from the start. Mosh pits quickly formed, crowd surfers began making their way toward the barricade, and the energy in the room surged to another level. Islander proved to be the perfect bridge between the acoustic opener and the emotional headliner, getting the audience moving and fully locked in for the rest of the night.

Flyleaf

Flyleaf was one of the first bands that introduced me to harsh vocals and heavier music when I was growing up. They were a gateway into an entirely new world of music for me, and despite being a longtime fan, I never had the opportunity to see them live during their earlier years. Being able to not only attend this show, but also photograph and review it, felt like an incredible honor.

Flyleaf opened their set with “In the Dark” which honestly came as a surprise. It wasn’t the opening song I expected, but it worked well and set the tone for a setlist that celebrated the band’s legacy. The set featured a healthy mix of material from all three albums recorded with Lacey Sturm, giving fans something from every era of the band’s catalog.

A personal highlight of the night came when the band performed “So I Thought”. It has long been one of my favorite Flyleaf songs, and honestly, I never expected it to find its way into a setlist twenty years after the release of their debut album. Hearing it live was beautiful and surreal.

One of the most powerful moments of the night came before “All Around Me” Lacey Sturm took a moment to speak openly about her struggles with mental health, including a failed suicide attempt in her younger years. She talked about how she was once consumed by anger and hatred, and how that experience ultimately led her to finding faith, purpose, and happiness.

Lacey’s message to the crowd was that nobody is a burden, nobody is a mistake, everyone has a purpose, and everyone should keep going. In a venue filled with fans spanning multiple generations, it felt incredibly personal and genuine

The entire performance was filled with the raw emotion that has always defined the band’s music. Every song felt heartfelt, every lyric carried weight, and the band’s passion was evident from beginning to end.

Twenty years after the release of their debut album, Flyleaf proved that their music continues to resonate just as strongly as it did back then. For longtime fans, this anniversary tour is more than a celebration of a record. It’s a celebration of the impact these songs have had on countless lives. Filled with nostalgia, heartfelt moments, and unforgettable performances, Flyleaf’s return with Lacey Sturm was everything fans could have hoped for and more.