The Protomen are playing at MAGfest!

So, has anyone here ever heard of The Protomen? They're a rock opera band that was founded in the early 2000's and are based (very loosely) on Mega Man, but, like, in a dark and edgy sort of way. Their first album (or "Act I") is more grunge rock, but the rest of their discography pivots hard into synth rock, it's awesome. I love all of their stuff.

The last continuation of the story, Act II, came out in 2009. We've been receiving a couple of things since then-- the occasional sneak peek of a song, a cover album ("The Cover Up", which, I honestly think their version of The Trooper is better than the original... I'll die on that hill), and even a live performance where they covered a ton of Queen songs, but we've been waiting years and years for them to announce the final part of the rock opera, Act III. It's been a long sixteen years-- at this point, this is the Mega Man equivalent of Half Life 3 or Silksong or something. Ironic, right?

Earlier in October, they announced that they're finally releasing Act III, by drip-feeding a new song or two on Bandcamp every Monday/Tuesday all the way up til early December. A large chunk of the story is told through the liner notes given out through the CDs, though, which won't ship out 'til January 9th... Hey, what's that?

January 9th also when MAGfest is going on? And MAGfest is also entirely Mega Man themed this year? And the Protomen are well known for performing at MAGfest quite often, including last year? Say it ain't so!!!!!!!

So, most of us Protomen fans figured out pretty early that the Protomen are going to be performing in 2026, and a lot of us have already been preparing to go. I myself bought my tickets just yesterday, and I'm planning a cosplay! It's gonna be my first cosplay ever... I'm real excited.

But earlier today (or... yesterday, I guess, it was on October 31st), they finally properly announced that they're going to be playing at MAGfest, and they're going about it in a way that's more awesome than I could've possibly imagined. They're playing for three nights, playing each act every night (in narrative order, so, Act II on Thursday, Act I on Friday, and Act III on Saturday).

I'm still in shock. I genuinely can't imagine anything cooler than that; I'm so excited I could tear a phonebook in half.

MAGfest also announced a lot of other cool performers, like the Megas, Johnny Gioeli (of Crush 40), Rebecca Sugar (HUH?!), and a ton of other cool people! Is anyone here going to MAGfest in 2026? I'm crazy excited for it!