So, before I start, let me make this clear. I AM AN AMATEUR. Still with me? Cool! Hi guys, I want to take you all on a journey into the Carnival. Let me tell you why you’re missing out if you’ve never been to a Clown show. One thing, one force: the fans! Oh, and liters of Faygo… but we will come back to that at the end of the journey. The first thing I really want to clarify here is that there are few shows like this. Maybe your Saying to yourself, “Well there’s G.W.A.R., kiss, etc.” and yeah, you’re right. But I honestly believe that Juggalos really bring it when they come to a show. From the tailgate party and family reunion in the parking lots (which, possibly due to it being the first show we’ve had in Greenville, didn’t get the full effect of this go round), to the face paint, to the general love and positivity these guys will give you, this feels so different. But enough love for the Juggalos, let’s get to it. The Venue: The Firmament, one of Greenville’s hottest up and coming places to see. Admittedly I’m biased a bit, I’ve been to this venue a few times, but it’s always been an amazing place! And the crowds are always top notch, whether it’s a show to about 20 people or a crowd of 700+, they always show up and show out! The staff of The Firmament is aces as well, from the owners to the bartenders, they’re always on top of their game. Can’t stress that enough, the place, and the people, are great! Ok now for the meat and potatoes. First act of the night was a local act, came out, crowd was cool with it but not a big lasting impression. Nobody is there for them, they were serviceable. The real opener was Ouija Mac, and lemme tell ya, he knows how to hype some Juggalos! Also was sort of the crash test dummy as well, having a spill off of the stage. I’ve heard a lot of Juggalos say they aren’t fans of ouija, but I love the guys energy. It’s still trap music, but it’s nuts and off the wall, and it was my first real experience of him live. Great set, hypes the crowd and they were in fire the rest of the night. ICP shows can be very long, but these fans keep the same energy they started with all through the night, it’s a fantastic experience. Next up was Mushroomhead, and man, this was also my first time seeing these guys. One big complaint, and I’ve noticed this with a lot of metal acts, the vocals can be hard to hear, but I feel they are secondary in these live shows. It just takes me a little out of it for acts like these though. Jackie laponza walking on the crowd was my highlight, and it was a great moment, with her just hyping the crowd beyond belief. It was then that I got caught in the fringes of my first circle pit, and man… I had much more fun with that than I thought! Pushing people back and throwing elbows around is very cathartic! The next couple of acts didn’t do a lot for me personally, DJ Paul was solid, if bare bones, but Rittz… the guy does nothing for me. I don’t care for the a cappella showing off, I couldn’t even understand what he was sayin anyway. But this isn’t a review, just my experience and it didn’t hamper the entire thing for me. Now for the final act, two wicked clowns, the wildest stage performance I’ve still ever seen, The Insane. Clown. Posse!!!!! Let me tell you, the room could be completely dead, and when these guys drop that curtain, it’s wall to wall energy! From the opening moments, to the last drop in that last bottle of diet root beer flavored faygo, the crowd is a living, breathing, acting as one organism! And I’m so glad I’ve gotten to be a part of this! And I most definitely will be seeing more! So from this honorary Juggalo to any doubters out there, if these guys come to your town, buy a ticket to the Dark Carnival. I feel you will never regret it!