23 episodes
Crime Waves: Renaissance, TX QCODE
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- True Crime
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4.3 • 113 Ratings
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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.
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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.
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Crime Waves: Renaissance, TX is a collaboration of Faceplant and QCODE, in association with No Smiling.
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Follow us
On Instagram @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmediapodcasts | @StickFigureProductions | @NoSmilingMedia
On Twitter @QCODEMedia | @faceplantmedia | @StickFigurePro | @NoSmilingMedia
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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
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Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
The Poison Witch
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.
Warning: This episode contains traumatic events and discusses aggression against women and trans people. Listener discretion is advised.
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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 -
Royal Pursuit
An attempt to find the king of the fair — who is also the mayor of the town — exposes an intricate web of festival and municipal politics. Sean slowly begins to see a community that is tightly woven by secrecy and fear, where speaking out against its ruler comes with unseen risks.
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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 -
Ever Seen a Mad Hog Charge You?
After the festival ends, we explore Todd Mission and Grimes County. And that’s when things really get weird.
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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 -
Dali Meets Hobby Lobby | Episode 6
As we return from the gonzo ren fair trip with our heads still spinning, we dig deeper into the king’s past — now from afar. The image we get from our investigations is very different from the picture of an almighty ruler that he portrays publicly.
~~~
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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Customer Reviews
Drawn In
I’m from SE Texas and grew up with Ren Fair tickets being sold in local grocery stores. Been a few times and even camped one year, was thinking of camping with some friends this year (2024). I didn’t realize how bad the drugging of people’s drinks were though. May just hold off for another year to camp.
Room to Grow
I’m a Tx ren fair enthusiast (maybe once a year). The locals already know about this. It’s really not so bad…during the day. Just like any other big event. I’ve had my own experience there being followed. Maybe for another season, I recommend researching the Go Topless Weekend (jeeps) in Texas. Way more crime takes place there. Edits in this pod are a little corney. Hope this one doesn’t take off and start asking for money like all the others bombarded with ads. So far, I like this one.
Credulous “Journalism”
I’ve lived in the region that’s had the TRF for roughly 15 years and the podcast is presenting the whole atmosphere very credulously and dramatic. There’s nothing endemic to TRF that “encourages bad behavior” any more than the same behavior on a public beach during the summer, or any other large gathering of people, regardless of the geriatric weirdo that founded it. Also I’m not sure how you missed that the yurts didn’t have heat or consider bringing a heater. Was no due diligence done at all?