"Over the span of his long career as the "Godfather of Punk" - first in the Stooges, then solo - Pop earned a reputation for his chaotic, self-destructive antics. His extreme live moments include a night when he rolled around in broken glass. Bikini Kill is among the bands that kick-started the influential riot grrrl movement in the 1990s, a feminist response to sexism in punk rock circles. Tracks like "Rebel Girl" served as anthems for the subculture-within-a-culture, a network of radical zines and bands."
"Every year, the festival turns Oakland's Mosswood Park into a mess of patched-up punk jackets, screeching amplifiers and sloshing beers. Unlike big budget fests like Outside Lands, Mosswood Meltdown is a one-stage affair, anchored by John Waters' wisecracking monologues between the bands' sets. The 2026 festival is scheduled to take place in Mosswood Park on July 18 and 19."
"The festival's undercard doubles down on punk rock. Scowl, a hardcore/alt rock band from Santa Cruz, is a favorite in Northern California. Otoboke Beaver, the punk quartet from Japan, is a cult favorite. "It'll blow your mind, dude," Foo Fighters front man Dave Grohl said of one of the band's music videos. "It's the most f-king intense s-t you've ever seen.""
Mosswood Meltdown returns to Oakland's Mosswood Park on July 18 and 19, 2026, leaning back into punk rock roots with headliners Iggy Pop and Bikini Kill and John Waters as master of ceremonies. Iggy Pop brings his chaotic legacy from the Stooges and solo career, known for self-destructive stage antics. Bikini Kill represents the riot grrrl movement of the 1990s, with songs like "Rebel Girl" serving as feminist anthems. The festival remains a compact, one-stage event focused on raw performances and audience immersion. The undercard emphasizes punk and hardcore acts such as Scowl and Otoboke Beaver, plus a surprise supergroup return.
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