CONCERT REVIEW: Insane Clown Posse at The Bourbon, Lincoln, NE

An American hip hop Insane Clown Posse at The Bourbon in Lincoln, Nebraska on Thursday, May 10, 2018. Photo credit: Dean Birkheimer.

“It is sometimes an appropriate response to reality, to go insane” – Phillip K. Dick

From Detroit, Michigan, the Bourbon brought us Faygo and Insane Clown Posse. May 10th, 2018 is the date the cleaning crew of the Bourbon Theater will curse under their collective breaths, forever.

As you may recall my last review for Go Venue Magazine was for Twiztid another member of the Psychopathic Records family. As great as that show was this one was even better. JoNasty & Baby Doll, Project Born, Ouija Macc, and Lyte gathered together to help ICP celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Great Milenko LP. What you may not know about this album is that it was released by the Disney owned label Hollywood Records. Literally hours after it’s release it was taken off the shelves due to the displeasure of the Southern Baptist Church which believed it did not reflect Disney’s family-friendly image. Thankfully the record was re-released by PolyGram.

The show began with JoNasty/Babydoll whom I just saw as part of the Twiztid show. They were just as impressive this evening as they were then. Perfect opener. Project Born consists of Frank Nitty and Half Pint Capone. We were told they were from Flint, Michigan and so badass that they still drink the Flint, Michigan water. They were badass on stage that’s for sure. They walk the stage like they own it, and they perform to the crowd, like they own them too. (quick note. After the show, I went to the merch table looking for posters, Project Born not only comped me a poster but threw in a CD as well, very generous and thank you) Next up was Ouija Macc. You may recall him as a member of the group Swag Toof. Ouija defines originality. He was a superb and crowd could not get enough of him. The final opening act was Lyte. Follow the Lyte is his motto and as he bounced from end to end of the stage you couldn’t help but to follow him. He draws your gaze to him and you just watch in awe at how talented this man is.

The attendees are now ready for the headliners. A third of the crowd were sporting their face-paint and there were at least 50 people there under the age of 10. Several of them up front on the rail. What you already know about ICP is you’re going to get wet, so my plan was to shoot the first two songs from the pit, then head for higher ground. I made it through one and one-half song, when it started to pour Faygo. The “rain” started early and didn’t stop til the show ended. The horrorcore hip-hop duo of Violent J (Joseph Bruce) and Shaggy 2 Dope (Joseph Utsler) had one intension. To make sure that chaos and disorder were present at all times. Mission achieved. This show was absurd. In a good way. It’s amazing how such a large crowd can just cheer/chant sing, non-stop while drowning in flavored sugar water. When it was over, and I got to my car, I had to sit there for a solid 15 minutes, just to let reality work it’s way back into me.

SET LIST (order may be out of whack)

WHAT IS A JUGGALO – HOUSE OF HORRORS – GREAT MILENKO – BOOGIE WOOGIE WU – HOKUS POCUS – THE NEDEN GAME – PIGGY PIE – HOW MANY TIMES – HELLALUJAH – SOUTHWEST VOODOO – DOWN WITH THE CLOWN – HALLS OF ILLUSION – JUST LIKE THAT – UNDER THE MOON – PASS ME BY

Dean Birkheimer, Photojournalist for Go Venue Magazine [all photos by Dean Birkheimer, otherwise noted]

Insane Clown Posse

 

Lyte

 

Ouija Macc

 

Project Born

 

JoNasty & Baby Doll