What do you call a fan of pop-punk and indie rock? A freak, of course, as it was lovingly expressed by Homesick founder Anthony Anzaldo. If you self-identify as a freak or subversive wanderer, you may be entitled to musical compensation, and Homesick Festival is your payday. For five years, Homesick has brought together a handful of indie, rock, metal and pop-punk artists under one theater’s roof in northern California — one could argue the homeland of the subversive wanderer — for a two-night festival in February. Anzaldo, who is also a member of the California-based punk band Ceremony, hopes to bring the disparate groups together for a night of good music and dancing.
Having had sold-out iterations of the festival in Berkeley, Petaluma and Pomona, Homesick Fest shines the light on the smaller acts currently dominating rock’s many subcultures. This year’s festival will move to San Francisco and has Superchunk, Fucked Up, Julie and Spellling at the top of the bill. Previous years have seen artists like Baltimore’s indie powerhouse Snail Mail, pop-punk trio Joyce Manor, post-hardcore band Touché Amoré, and Screaming Females, who also make up a decent chunk of the audience with lineups like this. Others included: Deafheaven, Fiddlehead, Lilys, Margaritas Podridas, Nuovo Testamento, Sheer Mag, Sunami, Supercrush, Tempers and more.
Go sing, dance, and mosh like it’s 2005 and you don’t know what a recession is.
The Specs
- The venue houses 1400 attendees each day.
- Tickets start at $40
- Plan on sticking around for a bit? Check out Fifty Grande’s many guides to California here.
FAQs
Where is the nearest airport?
Oakland International Airport (OAK) is the closest airport to the festival located 5 miles from Berkeley. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is another nearby option if you plan on staying in the Bay Area.
Where is the festival located?
Homesick will be held at The Regency Ballroom in San Francisco this year. Last year it was held at The UC Theatre in Berkeley.
Is festival transportation available?
Transportation to and from the festival is not available. Most festival-goers park nearby or take local public transportation.
Who created Homesick?
Goldenvoice presents the festival and it was created, and continues to be curated, by Ceremony’s Anthony Anzaldo.
Who’s playing this year?
This year’s lineup includes Crushed, Dazy, Fucked Up, Harms Way, Julie, Kumo 99, Light Asylum, Mspaint, Narrow Head, Poison Ruïn, Spellling, Superchunk, Upchuck, Wicca Phase Springs Eternal, World Peace, and Zulu.
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