Morrissey, Patti Smith, Sex Pistols, Interpol & Bikini Kill To Headline CBGB Fest

CBGB & OMFUG, the legendary Bowery club that arguably kick-started the punk movement on New York City’s Lower East Side, has partnered with promoters the Bowery Presents for the second iteration of the CBGB Festival on September 26 at Under the K Bridge Park in Brooklyn.

This year’s line-up features Morrissey, Patti Smith, the Sex Pistols (with Frank Carter as lead singer), Interpol, Bikini Kill and Mannequin Pussy.

Others scheduled to appear include Sleater-Kinney, Fred Armisen’s Ramones tribute band The Return of Jackie and Judy, the Buzzcocks, Circle Jerks, Agnostic Front and Haywire along with newer bands in the tradition such as Upchuck, Militarie Gun, High Vis, Bad Nerves, Panic Shack and Violet Grohl.

CBGB Festival Stays On Brand With Phenomenal Performances
By Iggy Pop, The Damned, Jack White, Cro-Mags, Lunachicks, More

The Under the K Bridge site will include merch, expanded local food and drink options and immersive CBGB installations, recreating Hilly Kristal’s office, the famous bar and the club’s low-slung stage.  Everything, in fact, except for owner Hilly’s infamous Saluki Jonathan, known for being given free rein at the club, including taking the occasional dump, adding to the gritty, urban atmosphere.

CBGB music industry veteran Phil Sandhaus said, “Building on last year’s inaugural CBGB Festival, we’ve worked hard to create an even stronger experience this year. For decades, CBGB defined the punk scene and helped shape a generation of music lovers in New York and beyond. This year’s lineup honors that legacy while celebrating the past, present and future of punk and alternative music.  No other East Coast music festival offers that. This lineup answers one core question: Who would be playing CBGB today?”

Last year’s iteration featured headliners Iggy Pop and Jack White, with Johnny Marr, Marky Ramone, The Damned, Melvins, Gorilla Biscuits, Murphy’s Law, Cro-Mags, The Linda Lindas, Lambrini Girls, Angel Du$t, Lip Critic and others.

CBGB was founded by Hilly Kristal on the Bowery as a bar for Hell’s Angels, which turned out to launch the careers of the Ramones, Blondie, Patti Smith, Talking Heads, Television and many more. Last January, UK-based Cherry Red Records released a four CD compilation, CBGB – A New York City Soundtrack 1975-1986, curated by noted music journalist Rob Tannenbaum.

Presale tickets go live on Thursday (April 23) at 10a ET at CBGBFEST.com with public on-sale beginning Friday (April 24) at 10a ET at AXS.com.