Hard not to get excited at the prospect of covering Freak Valley again next year. I’ve been four times now, and at the risk of honesty, I’ll tell you it’s beginning to feel a bit like a home away therefrom. A first lineup announcement for 2026 brings Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats, Kylesa, Tranquonauts (that’s Seedy Jeezus with Tony Reed and Isaiah Mitchell), Stoned Jesus, Coltaine, Håndgemeng, The Neptune Power Federation, Ratsalad and BB Blackdog, and if that’s not enough to get you to mark your calendar, it probably should be. If nothing else, Freak Valley has become a regular quick-sellout, so if you’re hemming and hawing, probably best you don’t.

They’ve got local ticket sales starting this weekend and online sales to follow. I could sit here and recommend the experience (which I do, heartily), but if you want to check out the coverage of this year’s Freak Valley, that’s here as well. The following was posted on socials just a bit ago:

FREAK VALLEY FESTIVAL 2026 – FIRST BAND ANNOUNCEMENT!

It’s that time again, Freaks – the first wave of bands for @freakvalleyfestival 2026 is here, and it’s already looking massive!

Leading the charge:

@uncleacidband – the masters of vintage doom and twisted psychedelia are finally coming to Freak Valley! Expect pure darkness, fuzzed-out riffs, and that unmistakable cult vibe.

@kylesa_band – sludge, groove, and heavy energy straight from Savannah! Their return to the stage is something we’ve all been waiting for.

Tranqonauts – a true supergroup featuring @tony_reed2112 , @isaiahmitchellsounds (@earthlessrips ), and members of @seedyjeezus ! You know what that means: cosmic jams, heavy riffs, and deep space energy.

Also joining the Freak Valley family in 2026:
@stonedjesusband , @theneptunepowerfederation , @coltaine , @handgemeng , @we_are_ratsalad & BB Blackdog!

Get ready for another wild ride through the worlds of heavy psych, stoner, doom, and everything in between. 🤘

🎟️ TICKET INFO:

This Sunday at the @vortex_surfer_musikclub in Siegen, everyone attending the @fomiesband show can buy up to 2 Freak Valley 2026 tickets before the online sale starts! So if you’ve got a ticket for Sunday, you’ve got early access – no waiting, no stress. 🤝🏻

See you in the valley, Freaks!

Design: @branca_studio

http://www.freakvalley.de/
http://www.rockfreaks.de/
https://www.instagram.com/freakvalleyfestival/
https://www.facebook.com/freakvalley

Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats, Live in San Francisco, CA, 02.21.25

To be headlined by Jack Harlon & the Dead Crows with the likes of Khan, Planet of the 8s and Moana near the top of the bill, Spliffs ‘n’ Riffs 2023 is presented by Sandgroper Music — fine as long as the sand is cool with it — and boasts 20 acts playing in Perth on March 5, which is the day before Australian Labor Day. One might consider trying to catch 20 bands in a single afternoon/evening/night a good reason in itself not to go to work the next day, but in this case at least it’s not a worry. I have no doubt it’ll be a party.

The Australian underground is as vital as Europe, the US or South America, more than many individual countries to be sure, and widely varied, so that you could pull 20 bands together for an all-dayer and only have to get five from out of town doesn’t really surprise, even though Perth — on the West Coast — doesn’t have quite the same hotbed reputation as, say, Melbourne in the Southeast and from whence Jack Harlon and the Dead Crows, Khan, and Planet of the 8s hail. Still, I like the fact that I’ve never heard of some of these bands — gonna go check out Mossy Fogg based on their name alone, and might dig into King Zog afterward just to complete the rhyme — and am glad for the chance to listen to something new to me even if it’s not actually new. Looking at you, Magic Chicken Fudgetoe.

Hail Oz heavy:

SPLIFFS n RIFFS [PERTH] 2023 LINE-UP IS HERE!!

Over stages of HELL on Sunday March 5th (Labor Day Eve), Spliffs n Riffs will include some of Australia’s best Stoner/Rock/Punk bands!

R.S.V.P HERE: SPLIFFS n RIFFS [PERTH] 2023

SUNDAY MARCH 5th
@ Rosemount Hotel, North Perth

LINE-UP:
Jack harlon & The Dead Crows [VIC]
Khan [VIC]
Planet Of The 8’s [VIC]
Moana
Suneater
Vulgurite
Giant Dwarf
Mage
Death By Carrot [QLD]
Mossy Fogg
Ratsalad [Geraldton]
The Wedges
Injured Ninja
Twin Serpents
King Zog
Witchcliff
Chickspit
Lamentia
Unicorn
Magic Chicken Fudge Toe

TICKETS ON SALE SOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

https://www.facebook.com/events/1019295995410045/
https://www.facebook.com/sandgropermusic
https://www.instagram.com/sandgropermusic/

Mossy Fogg, Stagnant (2021)