Mosswood Meltdown, Oakland’s Gloriously Offbeat Music Fest, Returns This Weekend

Mosswood Meltdown, a two-day music festival that always boasts an utterly unique lineup devoid of the corporate uniformity stifling most contemporary multi-day gatherings, will make its glorious return to Oakland this weekend.

With a lineup featuring new-wave legends Devo, riot grrrl legends Bratmobile, beloved noise rockers Osees, resurrected indie rock heroes the Exploding Hearts and longtime Bay Area mainstays Shannon and the Clams, Mosswood Meltdown continues to remain gloriously offbeat. That outsider energy is exemplified by festival emcee John Waters, the low-brow comedy auteur who has been a staple of Mosswood Meltdown for years.

On the festival website, Water sums up the attitude of Mosswood Meltdown in a way that only he can:

“Some call it “The Warped Woodstock’ or ‘An Asshole-free Altamont’ while others holler ‘Coachella, Go-To Hella’. We’re Mosswood Meltdown and we’re going to lose our musical marbles again this year with a lineup of lunatic acts that will make even the angriest punk- rocker pogo their way to paradise with a twisted smile on their dirty little faces.”

The festival kicks off on Saturday at Oakland’s Mosswood Park (hence the festival name). The opening day lineup includes the Exploding Hearts (who will be fronted by lone surviving band member Terry Six), Osees (the latest incarnation of former SF resident John Dwyer’s ongoing rock project), Bleached and a headlining performance from Devo.

Sunday’s roster features La Luz, Oakland rapper Kreayshawn, Shannon and the Clams and Bratmobile in the closing slot. In addition to the two-day festival, there will be an array of associated clubs shows in Oakland, from Thursday – Sunday. 

Tickets for the festival are available here.

LINEUP:

Saturday:
Devo
Osees
Exploding Hearts
Prison Affair
Bleached 
Niis
Diesel Dudes
Gentleman Jesse

Sunday:
Bratmobile
Shannon & The Clams
La Luz
Kreayshawn
Twompsax
Guida
L'Trimm
Tina!!!