We here at 48 Hills been huge Mosswood Meltdown (July 18 and 19, pre-party July 17) fans since the festival’s beginning in 2009, and our punk rock bona fides get a wee tingle every time they announce the annual lineup—as always, hosted by inimitable Pope of Trash John Waters.
When the news hit this morning that Iggy Pop, Dead Milkmen, Bikini Kill, Otoboke Beaver, Frightwig, Scowl, The Spits, and The Dirtbombs, among many others, had signed on? We Mosswood Melted down. Add to that Fred Armisen, Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein joining forces as The Return of Jackie & Judy, playing the music of the Ramones in a wild Portlandia-Sleater-Kinney crossover moment? And Pavement with Wednesday and Vivian Girls as the pre-party, as previously teased?
OK, OK, OK we will go! Full press release after one of the best ’80s tunes ever to mock my high school self so accurately.
Mosswood Meltdown lineup announcement
Mosswood Meltdown returns to Oakland’s Mosswood Park July 18th & 19th, 2026. Following last week’s announcement of a pre-party on July 17th featuring Pavement, Wednesday, and Vivian Girls, the festival reveals its official lineup tomorrow, with tickets on sale as well. Saturday is headlined by the “Godfather of Punk”Iggy Pop, following fierce Japanese quartet Otoboke Beaver, Santa Cruz’s hardcore heroes Scowl, skate-punks The Spits, garage rock Detroiters The Dirtbombs, always-unpredictable Tokyo troublemakers The Fadeaways, and LA-based power trio Primitive Ring. Legendary feminist punk pioneers Bikini Kill will cap off an epic Sunday, which also features The Return of Jackie & Judy aka Fred Armisen, Corin Tucker & Carrie Brownstein playing tunes by The Ramones, Philly’s seasoned punks The Dead Milkmen, the electrifying Frankie & The Witch Fingers, cult favorites Frightwig, and Miami rockers Las Nubes. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Mosswood Meltdown without the terrifically transgressive John Waters, who will be the wonderfully wicked host.
