AB & Harley Go To The Gathering Of The Juggalos (Full)

The Shocking Welcome [00:00:00]

• The initial experience at the Gathering was marked by being sprayed with liquids from squirt guns, which were later revealed to potentially be "piss or shit water."
• This discovery significantly dampened the enjoyment of the festival for the attendees.

  "Ever since A.B. told me that the squirt guns that people have been squirting us with might be pee pee and poo poo water, that my enjoyment levels have dropped severely."

A Fall into Safety [00:01:18]

• One attendee humorously recalled predicting being "humped" after tripping and falling into someone's arms, noting it was the safest they felt all weekend.
• This moment highlights the unexpected and sometimes bizarre interactions at the event.

Understanding the Gathering [00:01:45]

• The Gathering of the Juggalos is an annual music festival for fans of the Detroit-based rap group ICP (Insane Clown Posse).
• ICP fans are known as Juggalos, and the fanbase is referred to as "Family."
• Faygo soda is a significant part of Juggalo culture, often sprayed on the crowd, earning it the nickname "Juggalo holy water."

Location and Climate [00:02:37]

• The Gathering has been held in various locations, with Ohio being a frequent host, but this year's event took place in Max Creek, Missouri, at the Lake of the Ozarks.
• The weather was extremely hot, with attendees underestimating the intensity of the St. Louis heat.

  "Holy fuck, it's hot in this bitch, dude."

Misunderstood Fanbase [00:03:03]

• Juggalos have been described in various ways, from a cult to a gang, and are often considered one of America's most misunderstood fanbases.
• The purpose of attending the gathering was to understand who these people actually are.

Gathering Rules and Quirks [00:03:37]

• A peculiar gathering rule mentioned is not picking up money found on the ground, as it's likely covered in feces.
• This rule highlights the unique and sometimes unsanitary aspects of the festival environment.

  "Like for example, if you see money on the ground, don't pick it up, because it's probably covered in poop."

Unexpected Paths to Juggalo Culture [00:04:10]

• Many attendees shared stories of how they ended up at the gathering, often unexpectedly.
• One individual claimed to have become a "juggalo" after a head injury changed their musical taste.

Day One: Immersion Begins [00:05:00]

• The first day involved attempting to immerse themselves in the culture, including learning about Juggalo nicknames.
• Participants adopted temporary Juggalo names, showcasing the importance of identity within the community.

  "I'm going in as a big saucy knuckle fucker."

The Butthole Tradition [00:06:45]

• A bizarre tradition at the gathering involves showing one's butthole, which is said to instantly earn trust and acceptance.
• This practice is presented as a unique way to integrate into the community.

  "For reasons that nobody could explain, showing your butthole has become a gathering tradition."

Navigating the Festival Grounds [00:09:00]

• The layout of the event, with cars driving through the main walking areas, presented a significant safety hazard, especially at night.
• Dark pathways and the presence of intoxicated individuals added to the dangerous atmosphere.

  "This is how dark the pathway is. And honestly, it's brighter on my camera."

The Struggle for Transportation [00:11:00]

• Limited and infrequent hayrides and shuttle services made navigating the main hill difficult.
• Many attendees had to walk long distances or wait extended periods for transportation.

Unexpected Wardrobe Malfunction [00:12:00]

• An attendee accidentally grabbed the wrong shirt, ending up in a 3X Jake Paul "Team 10" shirt and "church shoes," feeling out of place.
• This wardrobe choice contrasted sharply with the typical festival attire.

Lost and Found in the Chaos [00:13:00]

• The lack of cell service made it difficult for the group to stay together, leading to separate explorations and footage.
• Harley, one of the attendees, managed to capture footage of various unique festival experiences, including a man charging for flamethrower use and a mosh pit.

The "N-Word Pass" Controversy [00:14:00]

• A flyer for an "N-word pass" meetup was distributed, which the attendees did not use but observed.
• The group noted the irony of the crowd being predominantly white during this event.

Federal Surveillance? [00:15:00]

• Suspicion arose that federal agents might be monitoring the gathering, based on observations of individuals with binoculars.
• This concern is linked to the FBI's classification of Juggalos as a gang.

The Journey to the Gathering [00:16:00]

• The trip to the gathering was arduous, involving a flight to St. Louis followed by a three-hour drive to the Ozarks.
• The remote location and lack of amenities added to the challenge.

Airbnb Woes [00:17:30]

• The chosen Airbnb, located 30 minutes from the gathering, was infested with bugs and experienced a severe thunderstorm on the first night.
• This accommodation was an "upgrade" from a previous RV experience at another festival.

  "We got bugs all in here. We tried so hard to keep the bugs out, but it's bug city, baby."

Pass Pickup Pandemonium [00:19:00]

• Picking up passes at the 1776 Bar & Grill involved long lines and logistical challenges, especially for a first-time location.
• The process highlighted the disorganization of the event's setup.

A Police Encounter [00:20:30]

• After leaving the gathering, the attendees were pulled over by police, who claimed erratic driving.
• The attendees suspected they were targeted simply for leaving the event, and one officer allegedly took their vapes.

  "You're all over the road, man. You're hitting the yellow line, then you're bouncing back."

Day Two: Undercover Juggalos [00:23:00]

• The group decided to go "undercover" on the second day, attempting to blend in by applying Juggalo-style makeup.
• The lack of phone service hindered their ability to find reference photos for the makeup application.

  "Our phones didn't have service, so we couldn't look up any reference photos. Hence why our makeup looks like shit."

The ICP Connection and Media Scrutiny [00:26:00]

• The attendees noted that influencers are generally not favored at the gathering, citing an instance where an influencer had Faygo dumped on them and their camera.
• They hoped their attempt to blend in would prevent similar negative interactions.

Encountering Brandon Buckingham [00:28:00]

• They met Brandon Buckingham, a creator known for covering the Gathering, whom many Juggalos respect.
• Buckingham acted as a guide, helping them navigate the event.

  "Brandon has been reporting on The Gathering for years, and lots of Juggalos appreciate his coverage of the event."

Hostile Reactions and Fireworks [00:29:00]

• Despite Buckingham's presence, some attendees were still hostile towards the cameras, with firecrackers being shot at the crew.
• This created a tense and potentially dangerous environment.

  "They were straight up just aiming for our heads. It's a fucking war zone, dawg."

Festival Food and Discontent [00:35:00]

• The food situation at the gathering was poor, with one attendee throwing away their meal.
• The high temperature and flies added to the unpleasant dining experience.

Vanilla Ice Performance [00:37:00]

• Vanilla Ice performed, singing hits like "Ice Ice Baby" and the Ninja Turtle rap.
• His performance included odd remarks about the audience being teenagers.

  "He kept trying to emphasize like being young. And then at one point he goes, we are all teenagers. You are all teenagers."

Unexpected Competitions [00:39:00]

• Attendees heard about unofficial "off the books" events, such as a dick-sucking contest and a chicken feet boofing competition.
• These events were not listed on the official pamphlet but were known within the community.

Comedy Show Heckling [00:41:00]

• During a stand-up comedy set, the audience was not shy about expressing their displeasure, chanting "fuck this guy" and throwing objects.
• The comedians struggled to win back the crowd's approval.

The Merch Tent and JCW Wrestling [00:42:00]

• The Gathering featured an extensive amount of official ICP merchandise.
• The event included JCW (Juggalo Championship Wrestling) performances, with a ring announcer named Heather.

  "This is definitely like, I've never been to anything like this. I, like Shambhala I thought was hard. This is like insane."

Growing Appreciation [00:46:00]

• By day three, attendees began to see the appeal of the gathering, describing it as a "festival for edgy millennials."
• The initial negative impressions started to shift towards entertainment and a growing understanding of the community.

  "It's not my favorite, but the whole time I've been here, I've been entertained."

Day Four: The Final Stretch [00:48:00]

• On the final day, attendees reflected on the disorganization of the festival but also acknowledged the unique community aspect.
• The experience of being covered in "piss" was a lingering sensation.

  "I feel like I'm covered in piss. I've never I've never been to a festival that is so disorganized."

Understanding the Juggalo Community [00:51:00]

• The trip concluded with a realization that for many, the Gathering is a "family reunion" for individuals who feel they don't fit in elsewhere.
• This understanding fostered respect for the community and their protectiveness over their event.

  "From the outside it's really easy to look at the juggalos and just see the chaos the face paint the fago all the stuff that makes it seem crazy but when you're actually there you realize that for a lot of people this is a family reunion for people who never felt like they fit in anywhere else."