Acclaimed rock act set to headline Bay Area festival pre-party

If you’re a Bay Area music fan who believes that two days of Mosswood Meltdown just isn’t enough then, well, you’re going to love what’s in store for 2026.

For the first time, organizers are adding a third day — a big pre-party — to the mix for this popular punk/indie-rock festival at Mosswood Park in Oakland.

Not only will you get the regular Saturday and Sunday showings — which have just been announced as happening July 18-19 — but you’ll also get to rock out on that Friday, July 17, as well.

And the rocking will come courtesy of a very special lineup headlined by indie-rock legends Pavement, the Stockton-born lo-fi outfit fronted by the very talented Stephen Malkmus on vocals and guitar.

Pavement’s original run lasted from 1989 to 1999, during which the band recorded all five of its full-length albums — including such favorites as 1994’s “Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain” and 1995’s “Wowee Zowee.” The group has reunited a couple of times over the years, with the most recent run starting in 2022.

Also on the bill are the critically acclaimed alt-rockers Wednesday, which formed in North Carolina in 2017, and popular Brooklyn indie-rock act Vivian Girls.

Famed film director John Waters will host the pre-party, just as he’s been doing at the regular festival for years.

Pre-party tickets are sold separate from festival passes and go on sale at 10 a.m. Jan. 6 at mosswoodmeltdown.com. Ducats run $99 for general admission and $165 for VIP.

Note: While this is the first year that organizers have hosted a big pre-party at Mosswood Park, there have been smaller festival pre-parties held at other venues in the past.

The lineup for the festival itself — as well as ticketing instructions and other information — will be announced at a later date.