ICP @ Agora (6/26/2026)
Am I a Juggalette? Going into my first ICP show in 2025, I wouldn't have said that. Familiar through folks I grew up with, I knew about the face paint, the hatchet, and Faygo. But it's different seeing all of this tangentially than being at an ICP show yourself. Last year I left my first ICP show smiling ear to ear, questioning if I was actually part of this community and just hadn't realized it before.
This year, I decided to wear clown makeup to the ICP show. Not full Juggalette face paint, but subtle clown makeup, to test the waters. I wear clown makeup a few times a year just for fun, and in most environments I stick out. But at Agora on Friday night, I fit right in.
Crowd chants of "ICP" welcomed the band, who came out to a stage backed with huge light-up letters spelling the same abbreviation. At the very beginning of the show, in the photo pit, I had about 60 seconds to stay dry and get photos before the onslaught of Faygo started. Last year I was a lot more trepidatious. With a Ziploc bag over my camera, I stayed to the sides during my three songs in the pit. This year, with a proper camera bag for protection, I stayed in the middle of the pit for all three songs, getting soaked in the process. But what fun! As a photographer, ICP is not going to be a band for everyone. Liquids and cameras just don't mix, and the extra security makes it a difficult workplace. But the process of fully letting go and embracing getting soaked is what makes a show like ICP so unique.
With over three decades under their belt, obviously something about Insane Clown Posse captivates people. And being at a show, you start to understand exactly what that is. The sense of community, folks yelling "Whoop whoop" and being met with an echo. The ability to dress up and express yourself in like-minded company. The freedom to let go and get messy. How fun the music is! ICP have created something so much larger than themselves, and something I believe will live on far beyond the band.
So after this experience, am I a Juggalette? I think I'm very much on my way. Who knows, maybe next time I'll show up in full face paint.
