Odd Future performing at MWTX during SXSW 2011.

This was unexpected. Odd Future were originally slated to play the smaller stage at Mess With Texas but got bumped to the big stage at the last minute. The chaos of the insanely hyped up (and notably older) Dead Milkmen fans filtering out while Odd Future’s rude and raucous youth spilled in reminded me that this isn’t just a chaotic, low-security show – it’s also all ages. By the time OFWGKTA (Off Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All, for the uninitiated) took the stage the shouts of “WOLF. GANG. WOLF. GANG.” had reached a fever pitch and people were literally climbing over each other to approach the stage. It became impossible to stand my ground anywhere near the 2/3-stage-left spot I had occupied for three prior sets and I soon found myself surrounded by an audience that I was beyond unfamiliar with. There was no etiquette, no “hey, could you please stop elbowing me in the neck” and, frankly, no communication. Dozens of 14-17 year old girls had swarmed around me with one thing on their mind – impressing Odd Future with their fervent recitation of their misogynistic, violent, and angsty lyrics.

Not only did this baffle me but it honestly scared the everliving crap out of me. It was the first time I’ve ever genuinely been fearful for my safety in a crowd. It was like a perfect storm of Beatle/Bieber-mania, self-entitlement complex, lax security and outright chaos that left me agape with awe and heavily bruised for two weeks. I was hoping that the photos I managed to grab in the mere minutes before I was shoved beyond photo-capable distance could’ve conveyed the insanity but the focus required for survival (of both my internal organs and my equipment) took a substantial amount of energy away from my photographic thought process. Just selecting and editing these photos took several short, PTSD-flavored sessions over the last few weeks. I’m glad to have them done and out there but I’m reminded that I learned an important lesson: Underestimate the sheer destructive power of youth at your own peril.

Also, I’m way too old for this.

What made it all worth it, in the end, was the guy crowd surfing with a panda ski mask on. Not only did he reply to one of my comments on a YouTube video (which was also replied to with a resolute “SWAG!”) but he private messaged me asking for a photo of him. I gladly complied. Kid’s got guts. And an awesome ski mask to crowd surf with. It was pandamonium. Yeah. I said it. And you can’t do anything about it. SWAG!