It may only exist for three days, but Mosswood Meltdown leaves a lasting mark, sending festival friends home with new family, throbbing ears, sore feet, unforgettable performances, and the sense that the other best part of an amazing lineup is the community it creates.

With giant puppets, garage rock, flying beavers, and Iggy Pop proving that 79 is no obstacle to stealing the entire weekend. Dee Ratchet gives us the scoop on Mosswood Meltdown with photos by John Greenwood and Dick Slaughter, taking you inside an unforgettable Day One.

Mosswood Meltdown: Oakland's Weirdest Family Reunion

Mosswood Meltdown transforms a city park into a punk playground where nostalgia collides with discovery, cult film brilliance crashes headfirst into garage rock chaos, and everyone is invited to embrace their wonderfully filthy inner monster. And it all starts with a killer preshow, proving the weekend's glorious weirdness begins long before the festival gates officially open.

In Spite of everything the modern music industry has become, Mosswood Meltdown remains a fiercely independent celebration of punk, art, and outsider culture. With performances from Pavement, Iggy Pop, Bikini Kill, Otoboke Beaver, The Dead Milkmen, and more, plus John Waters, Peaches Christ's Punk Pride, and a weekend built on community instead of corporate sponsorship. Mosswood consistently proves that the underground is where the real magic happens. Featuring photos by Dick Slaughter with new previously un-released photos of Iggy Pop and Bikini Kill,

Rumors, gossip, and clickbait aside, Iggy Pop is very much healthy and heading to Coachella, Mosswood Meltdown, and Detroit with My Chemical Romance. Three shows. Choose wisely.

Looking for the best punk and alternative music festivals in 2026. Dollfest founder Maria Chaos lists her top 10 must-attend festivals around the globe, from legendary international events to community-focused DIY gatherings.

Dick Slaughter gives us a Punk Rock Bowling Band Spotlight of a band that’s not even playing—The Mummies. Find out how Trent screwed up their chance at a gig at this year’s festival.

Dick Slaughter takes us through a year in review, showcasing his favorite photos and collaborations. Featuring more than 24 striking images, including Glen Matlock, Peter Vukmirovic Stevens, Penny Rimbaud, Bob Vylan, Carol Hodge, Steve Ignorant, Dick Lucas of Subhumans, Arrow de Wilde of Starcrawler, Punk Rock Bowling, Bass Wolf and Guitar Wolf, Snugs of Madness, Showtime and Tom of KnuckleHeadz Band, Sam King of Codefendants, N8NOFACE, Mosswood Meltdown, Cindy Wilson of The B-52s, the Pope of Trash John Waters, Papi Churro and Meat Flap, Rebellion Festivals, SVETLANAS, Sten Gun of Convict Class, Ralph Champagne (AKA Blag Dahlia of The Dwarves), Lily Hopkins of The Meffs, T.V. Smith, Andy Scott of The Sweet, 90WYSE, Duck Meyers, Gee Vaucher, Kathleen Hanna of Bikini Kill, Fat Mike of NOFX, Adam Gomez of The Dickies, Dirt Box Disco, crowd surfers, trading cards in mouths, and, of course, a bum.

We asked the In Spite Magazine family to share their top ten performances of 2024, and these are the ones that made it in by the deadline. Featuring iconic acts like NOFX, Iggy Pop, Subhumans, Devo, and so many more, this list highlights an incredible year of live music. But it begs the question: who didn’t make the cut? Let us know who we missed!

Dick Slaughter Photo catches up with Blag Dahlia of the Dwarves at Mosswood Meltdown—they talk about the Rebellion Festivals, Baltimore, how to get a passport if you’re a known rebel-rouser, and, of course, cocaine.

M. Kim and Dick Slaughter give us a tag-team review of Mosswood Meltdown in Oakland, hosted by John Waters and featuring the B-52s, Redd Kross, a Peaches Christ Drag contest, and so much more

Dick Slaughter called and woke up Trent from the Mummies to find out if they got the gig at PRB, Get the lowdown on Mosswood Meltdown, and upcoming shows in Spain, Mexico, and Alex’s Bar in the LBC. Also, find out which little rascal is Trent's favorite and what Russell likes to put in his plants while in Japan.