Minnesota Bands Join National Artists in Anti-ICE Protest Albums

Bikini Kill, Bad Bad Hat, and over 130 Minnesota musicians contribute to compilation albums raising funds for ICE raid victims.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Two rock groups, Bikini Kill and Bad Bad Hat, have lent their music to a large-scale protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) ahead of their upcoming Bay Area performances. The effort consists of three different compilation albums, two featuring exclusively Minnesota artists and one with national acts, all raising mutual aid funds for those impacted by ICE raids.

Why it matters

The increased presence of ICE in cities across the country, including San Francisco and Oakland, has led to nationwide protests. These compilation albums allow musicians to use their platform to condemn ICE's actions and provide direct support to affected communities.

The details

The first album, 'Melt ICE,' features 110 tracks from Minnesota bands like Bad Bad Hat, She's Green, Yam Haus, and Kiss the Tiger. All profits from the $10 record will be donated to MNTogether, an initiative assisting Minnesotans impacted by ICE raids. The second Minnesota-focused compilation, 'Thaw,' spotlights younger acts who recorded new songs related to the ICE raids. The third project, 'Contra-ICE, Vol. 1,' features national artists like members of Rage Against the Machine, Black Pumas, Fishbone, and the Beastie Boys, in addition to Bikini Kill.

  • The 'Melt ICE' album was released on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
  • The 'Thaw' album is expected to be released in time for the I.C.E. Out! Protest concert on Sunday, February 15, 2026.
  • The 'Contra-ICE, Vol. 1' album is expected to be released later in February 2026.

The players

Bikini Kill

An American punk rock band that was a key part of the riot grrrl movement in the early 1990s. They are scheduled to perform at Oakland's Mosswood Meltdown on July 18, 2026.

Bad Bad Hat

An indie rock band from Minnesota set to perform on March 7, 2026 at the soon-to-close San Francisco venue Bottom of the Hill.

Anna Devine, Ryan Kemp, and Jonny Fuller

The organizers behind the 'Melt ICE' and 'Thaw' compilation albums, who stated they strongly condemn the actions of ICE and Border Patrol agents in their home state of Minnesota.

MNTogether

An initiative that assists Minnesotans impacted by ICE raids with food, rent assistance, and hygiene items. It will receive the profits from the 'Melt ICE' album.

Twin Cities United Performers

A local musicians nonprofit that will receive the proceeds from ticket sales for the I.C.E. Out! Protest concert in Minneapolis.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We strongly condemn the actions of ICE and Border Patrol agents in our home state. We believe in the collective power of songwriters, producers and performers to use our voices as best we know how.”

— Anna Devine, Ryan Kemp, and Jonny Fuller, Organizers (Bandcamp)

What’s next

The 'Thaw' album is expected to be released in time for the I.C.E. Out! Protest concert on Sunday, February 15, 2026, where CDs will be sold, and digital order options will be available via Bandcamp and the Mess Records.

The takeaway

These compilation albums demonstrate how musicians are using their platforms to condemn ICE's actions and provide direct support to immigrant communities impacted by increased federal immigration enforcement, particularly in cities like San Francisco and Oakland.