The 2018 X-Games in Minneapolis, Minnesota have officially begun! After a successful debut year, X-Games Minneapolis has returned to U.S. Bank Stadium for the second consecutive year, promising to be bigger and better than before. Due to forecasted rain on Thursday, the festivities technically started a day early with the Skateboard Vert competition taking place on Wednesday night, but the show at First Avenue last night was the official kick-off party.

Featuring performances from Rhymesayers artists Prof and Sa-Roc, with a set from up and coming Hip-Hop artist Cashinova, any out-of-towners got quite the taste of the local talent Minnesota has to offer. Prior to his performance last night at First Ave, Prof also performed a short set on live TV for ESPN’s special kick-off broadcast.

The show was Prof’s first Minneapolis performance (aside from this years Soundset Festival) since the release of his album Pookie Baby. Responding to some fans’ concerns on Instagram about his control over the show, Prof promised “full creative control over the stage design and setlist,” and also noted that last night’s show was also the first time his latest single “Light Work” would be performed live.

As with any Prof show taking place in Minnesota (or anywhere for that fact), First Avenue was an absolute mad-house on Thursday night, with the party lasting until the early hours of Friday morning. Performing for well over an hour and featuring songs from his entire catalog spanning nearly a decade, it was the perfect way to start what is sure to be another incredible weekend of live music & sports.

The X Games Kickoff Party at First Avenue kicked off three additional days of musical performances inside downtown Minneapolis’ iconic venue, The Armory, just outside U.S. Bank Stadium. In order to create a new immersive experience for X Games music fans, the GEICO Music Stage at The Armory will bring the concerts to a newly renovated indoor venue for the first time at X Games.

X Games Minneapolis features musical performances from Kaskade on Friday, Brother Ali and Ice Cube on Saturday, and Zedd on Sunday. Tickets and full music and competition schedules are now available here.