Concert Reviews

Wicked Clowns Take Over The Steel City

Published

1 month ago

June 19, 2026

Whoop Whoop Pittsburgh! The day we’ve all been waiting for is almost here. On June 27th, 2026, the Dark Carnival featuring none other than the Wicked Clown duo Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope are coming to town and they’re bringing their dark ride to Stage AE located in Pittsburgh’ s North Shore. Yes, you heard me Insane Clown Posse (The most evil motherfuckers to ever rhyme) are bringing their Juggalo-covered, warpaint-stained, Faygo-drenched traveling ceremony of psychosis to Pittsburgh.
Calling this show a concert would be a disservice. This is a family reunion, a final boss on a lifelong quest and a “gathering” of like-minded souls. I’ve spoken to numerous steel city Juggalos and this is what they look forward to all summer. This spiritual experience is your opportunity to boogie with the clown and join the most loyal, most crazy and fun loving tribe there is: The Juggalos. Whether you been down since “The Carnival of Carnage” (Fuck that “Dog Beats”) or you are a clean-cut virgin ready to get your war paint stained we’ve got you covered.

The Wicked Clowns Are Coming!
For those who may not know, the Insane Clown Posse is a famous horror-core duo from Detroit. For over three decades, Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope have created a unique musical story. This saga, known as the Dark Carnival, judges the wicked and rewards the good. They have sold millions of records and released classic songs like “Chicken Huntin’,” “Hokus Pokus,” “Let’s Go All the Way,” and of course “Homies,”. They have built an empire based on independence and authenticity. What started as a group called Inner City Posse changed after the duo encountered a supernatural Carnival Spirit. This spirit instructed them to spread the message of the Dark Carnival. They fulfilled their duty through a series of “Joker’s Cards.” It’s not only music, but also an elaborate mythology that has helped push their career and showcase their independence. The group founded Psychopathic Records built on Faygo, horror-infused lyrics, and a dedicated fan base known as Juggalos. ICP have achieved significant commercial success, earning two platinum albums and five gold albums. The group has sold over 6.5 million units in the US and Canada alone. Their story has continued with a second deck of Joker’s Cards, featuring albums like 2021’s Yum Yum Bedlam and last year’s The Naught.

What to Expect: A Sensory Assault!
Stepping into an ICP show feels like entering a different world. It’s an overwhelming experience for the senses. The stage resembles a theatrical masterpiece, with elaborate props and costumed characters that bring the Dark Carnival to life. But let’s be honest, you’re really there for the main event: the Faygo Shower.

If you’ve never seen it, imagine this: you’re surrounded by a sweaty, excited crowd, chanting along with Violent J and Shaggy. Suddenly, bottles of Faygo start flying from the stage like gifts from the clown gods. Grape, Orange, Rock & Rye—you’ll be soaked in the sticky, sweet drink of the Dark Carnival. You won’t just leave with memories; you’ll take home a permanent reminder in your clothes and hair. It’s a rite of passage, a glorious mess that brings everyone together in a shared, sugary frenzy.

Pittsburgh’s Juggalo History

This isn’t the first time the Clowns have made an impact in the Steel City. The Juggalos have strong ties here. The Wicked Clowns have a history of performing in Pittsburgh. We remember them at Metropol, Laga, The Ice Garden, Club Zoo, Rock Jungle, and even one unforgettable night with GWAR and Twiztid back in ’98 at the Crane Building. Let’s not forget their in-store appearances at Eide’s and the many fan sites like WPAJ.com (Western PA Juggalos) that celebrated the band and all things associated with them. The Pittsburgh crowd is sure to bring that legendary energy!

Controversy and the FBI
Of course, you can’t mention ICP without talking about the controversies that have served to fuel the loyalty of their fans. The most notable is their long-running fight with the FBI. In 2011, the FBI classified the Juggalo fanbase as a “loosely-organized hybrid gang” in their National Gang Threat Assessment. This designation as a gang, led to accusations of profiling and discrimination from venues and promoters. Fans claimed they were harassed and even had their rights violated simply for being part of the Juggalo family.

ICP, with the help of the ACLU, sued the federal government, arguing their First Amendment right to peaceably assemble was under attack only to have the case dismissed. In a major victory, the lawsuit was reinstated by an appeals court, proving the Clowns aren’t just about fun and games; they’ll fight for their family against a Goliath like the government. However, a federal judge dismissed the case for a second time but just know when you’re throwing your hatchet up at Stage AE, know you’re part of a movement that the Man couldn’t crush.

2026 Gathering: A New Realm
Now for the biggest news in the Juggalo universe: the 26th Annual Gathering of the Juggalos. This year, the Dark Carnival is on the move! After a long run in Thornville, Ohio, the family reunion is setting up shop in a brand-new location: Mother Nature’s Riverfront Retreat in Macks Creek, Missouri.

For the first time in its history, the Gathering is heading to the Show-Me State, happening August 19th-22nd. The Clowns themselves are hyping it up as a brand-new “river-infused realm of dopeness” nestled in the Lake of the Ozarks area. Imagine four days and nights of epic music, wrestling, and, of course, enough Faygo to fill the Mississippi. The official lineup is still under wraps, but if history’s any indication, it’s going to be legendary. Consider the Pittsburgh show your official warm-up for the main event!

2026 Schedule Full of Chaos
The Steel City show is a key stop their 2026 tour. The Clowns will be hitting cities from coast to coast before and after the Gathering. Here’s a look at the madness to come:

Spring Warm-Up: The tour kicked off in April with shows in places like Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Houston.

Summer of Faygo: June has them tearing through the Midwest, with stops in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Cincinnati.

The Main Event: Then it’s time for the 26th Annual Gathering of the Juggalos in Macks Creek, Missouri, from August 19-22.

Fall Wickedness: The tour continues into the fall with shows in Denver, multiple cities in California, and a string of East Coast dates in October, including an appearance at the Aftershock Festival in Sacramento.

Don’t Get Left Out in the Cold!
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your tickets, grab your hatchet, and get your face paint ready. This is the sign you’ve been waiting for. The Dark Carnival is coming to Stage AE in Pittsburgh, PA, on Saturday, June 27th, 2026. It’s all-ages, so bring the whole fam and just be ready to explain the sticky clothes later.

This is going to be a night of pure, unadulterated, wicked fun. See you in the pit, Juggalos! Whoop Whoop!

About Author

Josh Drespling

Josh is the Publisher and creator of Empire Extreme and it’s sister publication Kingdom Extreme Magazine. He is an accomplished writer, photographer and graphic designer. He is always conjuring up new ideas and has a amazing passion for the music industry and all the things that surround it.

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Concert Reviews

THIS IS WHERE IT FALLS APART… STABBING WESTWARD CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF WITHER,BLISTER,BURN AND PEEL IN BALTIMORE

Published

4 days ago

July 25, 2026

Ron

ITS BEEN 9 YEARS SINCE STABBING WESTWARD WAS IN BALTIMORE AND WAS SO THRILLED TO SEE THEM COME BACK AND PLAY MY FAVORITE ALBUM OF THEIRS. BRINGING ACUMEN NATION AND PRIEST. BOTH ACUMEN AND PRIEST PUT ON A HELL OF A SHOW AND LOVED THEY GOT THE CROWD PUMPED UP. I LOVE THAT YOU GOT SOMEONE LIKE ACUMEN NATION WHOS BEEN TOGETHER SINCE 1988, AND PRIEST WHICH IS A NEWER BAND AND THE FANS REALLY ENJOYED BOTH SETS.

STABBING WESTWARD IS ONE OF THOSE BANDS THAT GOT ME IN THE RIGHT SPOT OF MY LIFE, THIS ALBUM CAME OUT MY JUNIOR YEAR AND FIT TO ME LIKE A GLOVE, ITS ONE OF THE ALBUMS THAT I WOULD LISTEN TO FROM START TO FINISH AND THEN START IT BACK UP. I LOVE THAT THE BAND IS BRINGING OUT A NEW VERSION OF THIS ALBUM SOUNDING HOW THEY WOULD HAVE DONE IT OF THEY WERE ABLE TO MIX IT AND DO WHAT THEY WANTED WITHOUT OUTSIDE INTERFERENCE .

WHAT WE GOT TO HEAR WAS AMAZING I LOVED THE FRESH SOUND TO IT BUT STILL KEEPING THE CORE OF WHAT THAT ALBUM MEANT TO THEM AND TO THE FANS. COMING OUT ON STAGE WITH MY 3 FAVORITE SONGS ON THE ALBUM “I DONT BELIEVE, WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO, AND FALLS APART”. BUT HEARING SOME OF THE OTHER TRACKS ON THAT ALBUM BROUGHT BACK SO MANY MEMORIES OF THE PAST LIKE “SHAME”, “SO WRONG” AND EVEN HEARING THE CURE COVER “BURN” AND “DAWN” FROM THE ESCAPE FROM LA SOUNDTRACK.

THE CONCERT WAS AMAZING, WE WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE AN INTERVIEW WITH CHRIS BUT BECAUSE OF THE CANADA FIRES HE WAS SAVING HIS VOICE FOR THE SHOW AND MEET N GREETS, BUT WE WILL HAVE THAT INTERVIEW SOON FOR YOU.

About Author

Ron

Ron has keen eye for new talent, a love for the underground, and a tremendous passion for music of any genera. You’ll probably bump into him at a horror convention or some seedy club checking out the next need-to-know band.

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Concert Reviews

THE EX-FACES ROCKED THE REVERB STAGE

Published

1 week ago

July 22, 2026

Ron

I’ve been incredibly excited about the Ex-Faces show since it was first announced. I’m a huge Mushroomhead fan and love that the members of this group have come together to enjoy the music.

It was incredible to see J-Man, Waylon, Stitch, and Lil Dan together again. Adding Gravy and Mr. Murdernickel to the mix—especially since I never got to see him play live despite being a Mushroomhead fan near Cleveland since ’96—made it even better. I love that the guys genuinely looked like they were enjoying being on stage together, celebrating their time in this band and their experiences with Mushroomhead.

Hearing classic songs like “Bwomp,” “These Filthy Hands,” and “Sun Doesn’t Rise” was fantastic, but getting to experience deep cuts like “Eternal,” “1200,” and even the cover of “Crazy” was incredible. The Ex-Faces played 16 songs and could have kept going; the crowd definitely wouldn’t have minded.

I know this band and project are more than likely temporary, but I’m fully down for a few more tours and maybe even some more ex-members joining the trek. Even though I was sad that our stop didn’t have Pig Benis, I was super stoked that we had his OG brother Murdernickel. Go out and see this tour while you can, and let’s all get a little crazy and never let it go.

About Author

Ron

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Concert Reviews

ICP’s Dark Carnival Brings A Night of Faygo, Fireworks, and Family to Pittsburgh

Published

1 month ago

June 28, 2026

Josh Drespling

Whoop Whoop, Pittsburgh! The long-awaited day arrived on June 27th, 2026, when the Dark Carnival made its way to Stage AE on Pittsburgh’s North Shore. And let me tell you, not even a rainy Pittsburgh afternoon could dampen the spirits of the Juggalo faithful. The skies may have been grey, but inside that venue, it was a pure, unadulterated party for the entire gambit of the Juggalo family. There were guys like Butch Shipton (seen in the photo to the right) who is anticipating attending his 25th Gathering of the Juggalos this summer. Alongside him were fresh-faced fans who have become the next generation of Juggalos thanks to outlets like TikTok and Instagram. I witnessed grandparents enjoying the time of their lives with their children and grandchildren.

The weather didn’t matter one bit to the night of chaos and celebration. Neither did the fact that the city was absolutely buzzing with activity. While we were getting down with the clowns, the Pittsburgh Pirates were battling the Reds just down the road, Nelly and Three Doors Down were rocking Point State Park, and drone shows were lighting up the sky over the Point. But for the Juggalos packed into Stage AE, there was only one show that really mattered.

As the rain subsided and the Faygo began flying, they kicked off the evening with “The Show Must Go On”, setting the tone for a night that would feature a near-perfect mix of old-school Juggalo flavor.

Violent J and Shaggy wasted no time diving into the classics. Hitting hard with “Hokus Pokus” from their 1997 platinum album The Great Milenko. They had the crowd losing their minds and soaked with Faygo after just a few notes. That track actually went gold in 2022, selling over 500,000 units, and it was easy to hear why: that infectious “Streets of Cairo” melody had everyone bouncing from the front barricade to the fence at the back of the lawn.

“Birthday Bitches” and “My Axe” kept the energy sky-high before they dropped “Fuck the World”. There was not a person in the crowd who was not singing along to every word of the classic tracks. After a quick Faygo break (because you’ve got to stay hydrated for the mayhem), they launched into “Tilt-A-Whirl”, followed by “The Neden Game”, a notorious gameshow track that’s become a fan favorite. Then came “Boogie Woogie Wu”, a dark classic from The Great Milenko that describes multiple murders over a creepy, slick beat. It’s horrorcore at its finest, childishly describing mayhem in a way that only ICP can pull off.

DJ Clay took center stage for a solo to give J and Shaggy a breather before they brought back the wickedness with “Play With Me” and “Stomp” along with another Faygo break (the crowd was getting thirsty), and then they hit us with “Let’s Go All the Way” and “In My Room”.

One of the highest energy moments came when they did their version of the Geto Boys’ classic “Assassins”, a nod to the horrorcore roots that run deep in hip-hop history.

“Down With the Clown” brought the energy to a fever pitch before they closed with the epic “Pass Me By”. This track, also from The Great Milenko, is one of the more thoughtful Joker’s Card closers. It paints a picture of what it’s like to make it to the Carnival after death, hanging with Jimi Hendrix, Selena, and Eazy-E, with Faygo on tap and no more worries. It’s a song about finding peace, and the message of the Dark Carnival shines through lyrics like “We all gonna die, but I’m not gonna fry.” The crowd filled the stage and commenced drowning Pittsburgh in its own Faygo Armageddon. As the Faygo flew from the front to the back of the venue, fireworks exploded overhead, welcoming the Juggalos to Shangri La.

Insane Clown Posse perform live at Stage AE in Pittsburgh PA June 27, 2026. Photos by Josh Drespling for Empire Extreme.

It was a glorious, sticky, sugary mess that you had to see to believe. The wicked clowns brought it proper to the Steel City and showed fans, both young and old, why they have remained a main stage in the music industry for decades. They delivered a fun-filled night of great music and excitement.

Here’s the best part, ninjas. The Carnival keeps rolling; the Pittsburgh show was just one stop on the Clowns’ massive 2026 tour, and the insanity is far from over. The boys are hitting cities coast to coast, so if you missed this one, you’ve still got plenty of chances to get down with the clown.

Not to mention the 26th Annual Gathering of the Juggalos is just around the corner. August 19th through 22nd will see the Gathering moving to a brand-new “river-infused realm of dopeness” at Mother Nature’s Riverfront Retreat in Macks Creek, Missouri. That’s right, after years in Thornville, Ohio, the family reunion is heading to the Lake of the Ozarks area for a four-day epic festival with music, wrestling, and enough Faygo to fill the Mississippi.

There are several dates remaining on the current tour until the group veer off course for the Gathering and multiple festival shows, and then they hit the road again for a slew of dates leading up to the infamous hometown Hallowicked show in Detroit.

So what are you waiting for, ninja? Grab your tickets, grab your hatchet, and get your face paint ready for the Gathering. The Dark Carnival never stops—it evolves, changes shape, and reconfigures into something so unexpectedly dope that it’ll blast the ghost right out of your body. This is the sign you’ve been waiting for.

See you in the pit, Juggalos. Whoop Whoop!