Near Dark Fest!

“I felt like Oakland needed a dark punk fest. There is so much good music here and everyone is really supportive.” 

Gina Marie of local goth punk band Otzi muses on the initial inspiration for the Near Dark Fest. Over the weekend of August 5-6 at various locations in Oakland, a diverse line up of international and local darkwave/anarcho punk acts will perform. For many of these bands it will be their first time touring to us in Oakland. Gina, with the help of Brianne from Kurraka, another one of the acts performing this weekend and with a few other helping hands, it has a been a project that started forming last summer.  

So here’s what to expect: the weekend starts on Saturday, August 5 over at Granny's with our local Esses project, End Time and Lovestruck Paranoia (LA) in the day time from 2-6pm. Granny's is an awesome spot that has hosted some special events-plus their backyard really lends itself to a good time. The Fest then continues over at the Golden Bull with Pawns from NY (with a new record out on Mass Media), Espejo Convexo (straight from Mexico City!), Cruz De Navajas (who also hail from Mexico City) alongside our local lovelies Otzi (Gina’s band!) and Screature.  Rikk Agnew headlines the show (Christian Death and Adolescents fans anyone? Swoon!).

On Sunday we start the party again over at Eli’s at 3pm. There will be a host of vendors from records to zines and clothing such as SOS zine, En tu Kara records and Foolish Fetish. Then for some anarcho-punk sounds we have Terminal A (visiting from LA), Kurraka (Texas), Bay Area’ s False Figure, Primary, Remnants (record release show!) and anarcho legends Omega Tribe (U.K on Crass records)- it’s their only Northern CA show! Check it out a rad preview video for it here!

We asked Gina if there were any bands she was particularly looking forward to seeing-

“I don’t want to play favorites. But I am really excited to see Omega Tribe. I've loved them for a long time and I never thought I would have a chance to see them.  Like, I actually booked them?! They've never been to the U.S!  I've never seen Kurraka before- and my fest partner Brianne plays drums for them!  I mean I love them all, so It’s kind of a dream come true!

Get your tickets today for this international Near Dark Fest here! 

For event pages on Facebook go here!

And of course in the style that is Oakland- everyone is invited and welcomed and celebrated!