Total Tattoo Magazine - by Sally
When a tattoo convention has been running for fourteen years – as the Ink & Iron show has – it's safe to say that the organisers are doing something right. This is far and away the longest-running show in the UK and, in 2007, had probably its most successful year to date. It's always been a busy event but this year all expectations were exceeded with a huge crowd in attendance, packing the Birmingham Academy to the gills!
Having run the show for so many years, organisers Dado, Steve and the rest of their hard-working crew make the whole thing look effortless. But it is worth sparing a moment to think about all the work that goes into such an event in order for it to run seamlessly. It takes a lot of experience and time to get the blend of tattoo artists, performers and the stunning display of custom motorcycles just right.
There was certainly plenty to keep all the visitors occupied, with a stellar line-up of working tattooists, a goodly selection of stalls to shop at, a full day's programme of entertainment and, of course, the glittering display of custom bikes. There were also tattoo competitions as well as awards for the bikes and scooters. Due to the enormous number of entries that the tattoo contents at Ink & Iron always attract, the judging was done in a different way this year. Categories were judged throughout the entire day, which meant there was no need for the huge queues and the long waiting times that have been features of previous contests at this convention. The new method seemed to run very smoothly and everyone I spoke to about it was happy that they were judged so nice and swiftly. A very popular event here is the Tattoo Parade, where entrants get the chance to get on stage and tell the audience about the tattoos they have entered. The area in front of the stage was simply heaving with the biggest crowd I have ever seen at this show, all willing to show their support and appreciation for the contestants.
There was something for all tastes when it came to the entertainment, with rock and blues bands taking the stage at various points during the day and an amazing performance by a troupe called the Psycho Cyborgs. Led by renowned extreme body modifier Samppa from Finland, the performers spear, hook, drill and skewer themselves with a variety of implements. They suspend and hang themselves from bizarre-looking frames and the whole effect is very much like that of a sci-fi horror movie. The best words to describe the audience reaction might be 'shock and awe'! If you want to see what they get up to, visit their website at www.myspace.com/psychocyborgs.
Ink & Iron has called the Birmingham Academy home for the last few years. There have been many advantages to this venue – right in the heart of the city, very close to all the transport links and handy for the cafes and shops – however, it is never easy to stage such an event in what is ostensibly a music venue. The floor space, lighting and even the ambience are very different to more conventional convention spaces, if you know what I mean! However, the Ink & Iron crew overcome the difficulties and put on a very enjoyable day. Many shows choose to run over two days but, having tried this a few years ago, Dado told me that they love the fast and furious pace of a one-dayer, packing as much into 12 or so hours as possible. Changes are afoot, however, as the Academy is ear-marked for re-development in the not-too-distant future. This may well have been the last Ink & Iron at this particular venue. Dado and Steve told me that they have some very exciting plans for the future of this grand-dame of the UK tattoo scene and we will bring you all the news in Total Tattoo. In the meantime, the 2007 incarnation will go down in the history books as one of the busiest and most successful Ink & Iron shows ever. And long may it continue.