by whipstick

The Agora seems to be a place holding a slew of shows that rocks the noggins of the attendance. The last time it happened was in August for the 'Strange Noize Tour' when KMK, Tech N9ne, and Blaze came through killing the sound system. Yet it's that time of year once again, when you're 'high' of the Gathering has worn away but the sweet breezes of the autumn set in to bring you the devastating oldie but a goodie Hallowicked! Homage to that one day of the year where nothing is what it seems while ghouls and demons roam the wicked streets of this wicked planet.

In an attempt to set the mood was an experimental sound Psychopathic Records has been toying with for quite some time now, Motown Rage. A group to the sub-label, Hatchet House, they brought an energy that an unsuspecting crowd of onlookers seemed to have dug. That's the crowd though, in my opinion I was there for more of an ol' school feel, seeing the wicked clowns in their element. The younger audience and 'mosh pitters' seemed to have gotten into, yet I just couldn't find my feet tapping to the beat.

Up next was the scarcrow himself, yup, motherfuckin' Boondox. This dude hopped off that pole of his brushed the dust off his hat and kicked his set. Straight out the stalks of the backroads of Newton County, Punkin Head himself strutted about the stage in an all blood red attire. The set would be kind of predictable if you've been able to catch his performance since the release of his EP. None-the-less Boondox was bringin' his flava for the drunkalos in the building who always be straight sippin'.

Then from out of the darkness crept an eerie fog. Slowly emerging from within slithered the face of PLR(Psycho+Logical Records), Necro, accompanied by his hype man who needs no introduction, Mr. Hyde, and what death-rap set would be complete without someone spinnin' the discs of fury with butcher knives, K.L.E.E. These three came to the stage with one thing on mind, mutilating that fuckin' beat like it was a bitch caught up in a puzzle in a 'Saw' movie. Heads were bobbin' as the beats were knockin', but as fast as it had started they vanished yet to be seen again.

Finally it was that time we had all gathered and waited for, why many juggalettes, juggalos, and mini-lo's (kids) of all ages, shapes, sizes, and genders came to the Agora, the Insane Clown Posse. The Curtain was pulled up revealing a ghoulish graveyard where the sorry souls of Mr. Johnson and Willy Bubba reside. There was zombies, santa, death, monsters, ghosts, anything associated with Halloween was on that fuckin' stage. We were greeted with two figures hobbling out of a couple of tombs slowly shuffling to the mic stands. Once their tools of destruction were in hand the duo, a slimmer Violent J (with hair) and Shaggy 2 Dope, proceeded to bring the carnival essence back to Cleveland yet again. The set was amazing, after a few songs into the set what seemed to be a figure crucified was really DJ Clay, who jumped down and scratched the vinyl until our ears bled. There was more than enough faygo to go around as J had thrown several un-opened bottles into the crowd so the rain could spread throughout the whole venue. It had an ol' school wicked shit feel which was long missed, yet there was still some of the newer material played, whichever you like it's a good time. Any Juggalo/lette needs to see this tour if not this year then definitely next.