COMMUNITY | Sunday, October 15 | 4–10 PM | $8–10
The Headbangers Market
The Headbanger’s Market is a step into a realm beyond the ordinary, where arts, crafts, and live heavy music collide.
The event was created for individuals who embrace the darker side of aesthetics as well as the heavier side of music. They will bring together a blend of arts, crafts, and music merchandise, paired with live musicians on stage entertaining the crowd with powerful, energetic music. While the music is mostly Heavy Metal, the goal is to create an inclusive experience that resonates with the Metal, Rock, Goth, Punk, and Horror community while also extending a warm welcome to those who may just want to explore something different. The Headbangers Market curates vendors who create handmade, macabre and gothic items as well as those who offer Heavy Metal merchandise and memorabilia for the music fans. They try to create an immersive atmosphere and hope to make it a memorable experience.
In addition, they will host a raffle at the end of the event, featuring prizes generously donated by local businesses, artists, and community members. The Headbangers Market takes pride in supporting local businesses, artists, and musicians, and creating an event that uplifts the New Mexican community. In the short time they have been around, they have developed a strong following and, to their surprise, they were recently nominated in the “Best Annually Produced Event” category of the New Mexico Entertainment Magazine. This will be the 4th Headbanger’s Market and they’re looking forward to expanding their audience through FUSION.
$8 for advance tickets purchased through September
$10 through October and day of the show.
ALL ages are welcome. Kids 12 & under enter free!
About ABQ Headbangers Market
The ABQ Headbanger’s Market is a self-funded, grassroots effort which began in 2021. Brenda and Michael Lopez, who are the driving forces behind the event, met at a metal concert in 2010 and have always shared a passion for music and concerts. Along with the help of Andres Diaz, a close friend who also shared a love for live music, the ABQ Headbangers Market event was created.
Brenda had been involved in the arts and crafts scene as a small business owner. She was inspired by events that had a non-traditional theme. She had the idea to combine a metal concert with an arts and crafts market, which is where the concept of The Headbanger’s Market began. After working closely with a group of artists and building new creative connections within the Downtown and OT Circus scene, she recognized an opportunity to bring her vision to life. She gathered a group of artists and crafters, handpicking the ones she felt best fit with the theme. Michael, who aligned more with the concert side, wanted to give the musicians a suitable setup and platform to perform. So with the help of a skilled friend named Pepo, they built their own stage for the first Headbangers Market and used simple, cost-effective techniques for stage lighting and effects. Despite their inexperience in event planning, as well as limited resources and budget, they both aimed to deliver a quality event. Andres, their friend who was equally passionate about the event's concept and its success, helped along the way. With his charismatic charm, he naturally took on the role of the event's stage host. The trio's familiarity with many of the local metal bands from attending numerous live performances helped with the selection process and all together created the framework for the event.
The first ABQ Headbanger’s Market took place October 16th, 2021 during a period when the art and music community was emerging from the challenges of the pandemic. They believed it was the perfect opportunity to bring both worlds together to create a unique experience. The first event went off without a hitch and received a very positive response from the community. The ABQ Headbangers Market played a significant role in contributing to the Downtown post-pandemic reactivation movement, providing opportunities for the talented and creative local artists and fans to express themselves, connect with like-minded individuals, and build a sense of community.
The team, which also includes an inner circle of friends and family members as key contributors (Luis, Trisha, Pepo, & Stephany to name a few), has since produced three different events, making the event at FUSION the fourth. The team hopes to keep this event going for many years to come.