Sažetak Historically, emerging music and music-engendered forms of youth expression and aggregation have been considered a threat to mainstream culture, due to the belief that they can corrupt it at a societal level. Expanding on these insights, this article examines how one of these music-inspired youth cultures transforms oft stigmatized traits and behaviors (e.g., clothing, slang, tattoos) into communicational and bonding elements of an “alternative family.” Conducting a multimodal analysis of video documentaries, this study explores how the Juggalo community (a fan culture initially associated with the band Insane Clown Posse) socially constructs its identity as a countercultural family that embraces outcasts, rejects, and people who feel unfit for society. Specifically, this study looks into how the participants of this culture implement and negotiate multimodal forms of representation and communication at the “Gathering of the Juggalos,” a kaleidoscopic music/arts festival that functions as an annual “family reunion” for Juggalos from around the world.
