17 episodes

Season 2 of Crime Waves tells the story of The Texas Renaissance Festival, the largest — and rowdiest — ren fair in the nation. A place where reality and fantasy are blurred. You may think it’s all tights and turkey legs, but what if we told you that the festival has a dark side, too? Over the years, this ren fair has been the scene of murders, assaults, and other assorted crimes. We went to the fair to investigate this place where people live out their carnal fantasies and figure out just exactly how that could become so dangerous. But we didn't expect to find danger for us.
 
Crime Waves is developed and produced by Faceplant and QCODE, in association with No Smiling. 
 
Follow the show now for the strangest true crime stories you’ve never heard of, told by the people who were there — and the ones who picked up the pieces.

Crime Waves: Renaissance, TX QCODE

    • True Crime
    • 4.5 • 86 Ratings

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

Season 2 of Crime Waves tells the story of The Texas Renaissance Festival, the largest — and rowdiest — ren fair in the nation. A place where reality and fantasy are blurred. You may think it’s all tights and turkey legs, but what if we told you that the festival has a dark side, too? Over the years, this ren fair has been the scene of murders, assaults, and other assorted crimes. We went to the fair to investigate this place where people live out their carnal fantasies and figure out just exactly how that could become so dangerous. But we didn't expect to find danger for us.
 
Crime Waves is developed and produced by Faceplant and QCODE, in association with No Smiling. 
 
Follow the show now for the strangest true crime stories you’ve never heard of, told by the people who were there — and the ones who picked up the pieces.

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

    Mad Kingdom

    Mad Kingdom

    The Texas Renaissance Festival may host half a million patrons indulging in whimsy and fantasy each year, but it also has a seedy underbelly. After journalist and Peabody Award winner Sean Cannon hears about the kingdom’s dark side from a colleague, he’s plunged into a gonzo journey to understand how these things could happen at a place that its eccentric owner likens to Disneyland.

    Please note that this episode contains depictions of violence that some people may find disturbing. Listener discretion is advised.
    ~~~
    Crime Waves: Renaissance, TX is a collaboration of Faceplant and QCODE, in association with No Smiling.
    ~~~
    Follow us
    On Instagram @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmediapodcasts | @StickFigureProductions | @NoSmilingMedia
    On Twitter @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmedia | @StickFigurePro | @NoSmilingMedia
    ~~~
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    • 44 min
    Stars, Hide Your Fires

    Stars, Hide Your Fires

    Expectations are quickly overthrown the moment Sean steps through the gates of the ren fair. As day gives way to night, it becomes clear that — in this place dedicated to one man’s quest for freedom — trouble can find you easily. But what kind of trouble, exactly?

    Please note that this episode contains depictions of violence that some people may find disturbing. Listener discretion is advised.
    ~~~
    Crime Waves: Renaissance, TX is a collaboration of Faceplant and QCODE, in association with No Smiling.
    ~~~
    Follow us
    On Instagram @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmediapodcasts | @StickFigureProductions | @NoSmilingMedia
    On Twitter @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmedia | @StickFigurePro | @NoSmilingMedia
    ~~~
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 45 min
    The Poison Witch | Episode 3

    The Poison Witch | Episode 3

    Thousands see the fair as a place for fantasy and freedom. But a closer look at the crimes of power that’ve occurred here reveals a more sinister story: One of pain and suffering, as the victims hope for answers while the fair appears unmoved.

    A quick warning: This episode contains traumatic events and discusses aggression against women and trans people. Listener discretion is advised.
    ~~~
    Crime Waves: Renaissance, TX is a collaboration of Faceplant and QCODE, in association with No Smiling.
    ~~~
    Follow us
    On Instagram @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmediapodcasts | @StickFigureProductions | @NoSmilingMedia
    On Twitter @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmedia | @StickFigurePro | @NoSmilingMedia
    ~~~

    Season 2: Renaissance, TX | Trailer

    Season 2: Renaissance, TX | Trailer

    Season 2 of Crime Waves tells the story of The Texas Renaissance Festival, the largest — and rowdiest — ren fair in the nation. A place where reality and fantasy are blurred. You may think it’s all tights and turkey legs, but what if we told you that the festival has a dark side, too? Over the years, this ren fair has been the scene of murders, assaults, and other assorted crimes. We went to the fair to investigate this place where people live out their carnal fantasies and figure out just exactly how that could become so dangerous. But we didn't expect to find danger for us.

    ~~~
    Crime Waves: Renaissance, TX is a collaboration of Faceplant and QCODE, in association with No Smiling.
    ~~~
    Follow us
    On Instagram @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmediapodcasts | @StickFigureProductions | @NoSmilingMedia
    On Twitter @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmedia | @StickFigurePro | @NoSmilingMedia
    ~~~

    Renaissance, TX | Trailer

    Renaissance, TX | Trailer

    Season 2 of Crime Waves tells the story of The Texas Renaissance Festival, the largest — and rowdiest — ren fair in the nation. A place where reality and fantasy are blurred. You may think it’s all tights and turkey legs, but what if we told you that the festival has a dark side, too? Over the years, this ren fair has been the scene of murders, assaults, and other assorted crimes. We went to the fair to investigate this place where people live out their carnal fantasies and figure out just exactly how that could become so dangerous. But we didn't expect to find danger for us.
    ~~~
    Crime Waves: Renaissance, TX is a collaboration of Faceplant and QCODE, in association with No Smiling.
    ~~~
    Follow us
    On Instagram @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmediapodcasts | @StickFigureProductions | @NoSmilingMedia
    On Twitter @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmedia | @StickFigurePro | @NoSmilingMedia
    ~~~
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 2 min
    After the Episode | The Poison Witch

    After the Episode | The Poison Witch

    Journalists Sean Cannon and Heather Schroering take listeners behind the scenes and give a deeper look into Episode 3: "The Poison Witch."

    Crime Waves: Renaissance, TX is a collaboration of Faceplant and QCODE, in association with No Smiling.
    ~~~
    Follow us
    On Instagram @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmediapodcasts | @StickFigureProductions | @NoSmilingMedia
    On Twitter @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmedia | @StickFigurePro | @NoSmilingMedia

Customer Reviews

4.5 out of 5
86 Ratings

86 Ratings

grochman ,

No Smiling is brilliant!

This is such a great story! Psyched to listen to all the episodes!

athenienne ,

Just can’t

I wanted to enjoy this, but trying to pass off obviously scripted conversations between the hosts as off the cuff just annoyed me and pulled me right out of the story. If you’re going to do that, get actors. Good actors. I couldn’t keep listening.

Britt1983 ,

Excited for Season 2

💜

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