Mosswood Meltdown announced the headliners for next year’s festival this morning. Emceed by cult filmmaker, actor, artist and author John Waters on Saturday and Sunday, July 1 and 2, 2023, the annual Fourth of July weekend blowout in Oakland’s Mosswood Park stars post-punk legends Le Tigre, Oakland queer electro-punk outfit Gravy Train!!!! and ’90s indie pop group The Rondelles. Early bird tickets go on sale this Friday, Dec. 9, at 9 a.m.
Fronted by iconic riot grrrl Kathleen Hanna, Le Tigre’s performance at Mosswood Meltdown marks the group’s first Bay Area date in 15 years. Bikini Kill, Hanna’s first band, appeared at the Meltdown this past year.
Also on the lineup are bubblegum-pop power punks Tina & the Total Babes and New Orleans dance genre-benders Quintron & Miss Pussycat.
For years, Waters has been as much of a draw for festivalgoers as the musical lineup. His daring cult films—among them, Pink Flamingos, Female Trouble and Hairspray—occupy a similar countercultural space as Mosswood Meltdown’s musical guests, attracting rebels and weirdos from all corners of the Bay.
"Mosswood Meltdown is like a July Fourth musical pyrotechnic display that explodes all on its own with slamming human cherry bombs, moshing punk-rock roman candles and scary screaming sparklers of every race and gender,” Waters said in a press release. “These are my people, and I can't wait to light the fuse on stage."
Burger Boogaloo, hosted by now-defunct Fullerton label Burger Records, rebranded as Mosswood Meltdown in 2021. Local promoter Total Trash Productions formally broke ties with Burger Records, citing safety and inclusion concerns that the owners said have plagued the music scene for years.
The festival promoters said they plan to announce more of the 2023 lineup soon.
🗓 July 1 and 2, 2023
📍Mosswood Park
🎟 $99-$179 (holiday special)