Mosswood Meltdown returns to Mosswood Park on July 6 and 7, and the lineup is officially here. Topping the bill are The B-52s, the quirky, art-rock hitmakers best known for “Love Shack” and “Rock Lobster.” Big Freedia, queen of New Orleans bounce music and inspiration to Beyoncé, also headlines, along with Oakland queer punk band Hunx and His Punx.
Mosswood Meltdown is a hidden gem among the Bay Area’s music festival offerings. Held in a North Oakland park where neighbors shoot hoops on the weekends, it’s much more lowkey than, say, Outside Lands or Portola. Its annual lineups bring underground icons together with up-and-coming acts. Leaning queer and feminist, it’s one of the few events where countercultural babies, teens, parents and even elders — not least, annual host John Waters — can jam out together.
New at Mosswood this year is a drag contest hosted by San Francisco legend Peaches Christ. Electrofunk pioneer and turntable wizard Egyptian Lover is slated to perform, and ’90s indie-pop band Go Sailor will reunite at Mosswood for the first time in over a decade. Veteran Philly punks Pure Hell, former street musician and synth experimentalist The Space Lady, and Pansy Division, one of the first out gay rock bands, are also on the bill, along with many more.
Mosswood Meltdown runs Saturday and Sunday, July 6 and 7, at Mosswood Park in Oakland. Full lineup and tickets here.
