The Third Annual Providence Tattoo and Music Festival Comes to PVD

Displaying his own collection of spider, skull and deep sea creature tattoos, musician and promoter Justin Marcotte gears up for his next big event: The Providence Tattoo & Music Fest 3!

“This event is a big game changer for me,” said Marcotte. “I got the idea from when my band Joint Damage played the Rock The Ink Tour in 2008 and 2009. Although I knew I wouldn’t be able to bring it to that size, I wanted to do something more local with some great bands and shops and at the end of the night bring out a couple of big national bands.”

As Fete Music Hall’s entertainment/marketing manager, Marcotte and the crew of Black Sheep Entertainment have been the driving force for many huge rock and metal events in Providence’s recent years, bringing together not just local with national acts, but various artists, performers and vendors in New England. On Saturday, March 25, the 18+ event will fill both the ballroom and lounge of Fete in Providence’s Olneyville. Some of the big acts featured on the 24-band bill include Bury Your Dead, Revocation, FirstBourne, 6 Foot Silence and Bloodriders. Introducing some of these acts and providing a series of sick sideshow acts will be The American Madman: Ses Carny and Wyck Carnie.

“I always loved the idea of live bands and live tattooing happening in one place. The chemistry is great,” said Marcotte.

What is it that links attending a concert of amazing up-and-coming bands with the world of body art, besides that both go back centuries throughout many different cultures? I asked Justin what tattooing meant to him in hopes of finding an answer, and that I did.

“A tattoo means something different to each individual. Everyone has a reason or purpose for what they want, whether it’s sentimental or simply because it’s something they like, enjoy or support,” he said. And much like tattoos, music can be either sentimental or enjoyed simply for pure love of the art.

After two successful years putting this event together, Justin has not only made networking connections between various circles in town, but made several new friends out of it. “I have gotten to know so many in this area with this event. I’ve learned it’s much like the music scene. Everyone is very passionate and they support one another. There is a lot of pride and I love seeing that.”

Returning again this year will be Suited Devils Ink, Irish Rose Tattoo and Heavy Mental Tattoo. “[They] have stood by me since I started planning this, so I feel honored to have them all back every year.” Based on their great reputations and professionalism, he selects three other parlors to be part of the event. This year includes Great Island Tattoo, Dharma Ink Tattoo and Forever Bold Tattoo Inc.

It wouldn’t be a tattoo festival if you couldn’t get some ink done on the spot from one of the mentioned studios. In accordance with the RI Department of Health, after signing three wavers, you can enjoy having your ears filled with the best of local rock while getting your skin transformed into a work of art of your choosing.

While taking in the audio and visual stimulation, check out Boneheads Wing Bar, which will be back dishing out various flavors of bone and boneless chicken wings. Also, local shops such as Inside My Cranium, Viking Oils and The Modern Victorian will be displaying all their wares for sale. If in need of a quick break, the backdoor to the Shelter Arcade Bar will be open to all patrons to play a few rounds of classic arcade games and pinball machines.

Justin has recently started to add more to his sleeves and finished by saying, “I have many other things I will be working on as well in the future.”  Did he mean the tattoos or other wild events coming to Fete in Providence?

The Providence Tattoo and Music Fest 3 takes place on March 25 at Fete in PVD from 12:30pm – 1am. Tickets to the event are still available from the Fete box office, on the Facebook event page (facebook.com/events/106185483189022), or through one of the many live bands performing.