I’ve been going to metal and adjacent shows and festivals for decades.

Metal fans are everything and everyone. There exists no stereotype that any one fan could fully fit.

• The lawyer with more money than sense.
• The family of 3 with their toddler wearing ear protection.
• The guy who looks like he just got done mucking a horse stall.
• The boomers who will tell you about the first time they saw Ozzy without it even being brought up.
• The smokers and the tokers.
• The guy who just escaped the office and doesn’t care what people think of his clothes.
• The visitors who are not really into the music but they love an opener or swore they would see the headliner if they ever got the chance.

For the most part, people are accepting of everyone. There are a few people who are less hospitable. Usually kids who have an idea of the culture that is not instep with reality. Typically they learn, one way or another.