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Can Mustache Bash keep 70s vibe at Mariners Point?
Will BreakBot & Irafane be in the crowd dancing?
Organizers will be build a sixty-by-eighty disco tent on the sand. Inside the tent will be a rolled-out hard dance floor.
They call it the funkiest disco day on Earth. In 2008, The Mustache Bash started growing its upper-lip hair with a core group of San Diego State University pals. Eleven pals to be exact. Opposed to a typical frat party that fizzles out with a hangover and a four-year expiration date, the “mustache” themed party continues to swell. What was once a big house party that would often be shut down by the cops has since turned into a 6,000-person multi-city festival with sixteen acts performing on four stages.
After bouncing around venues, the Bash eventually found a home at the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier in 2015. However, this year the party will be moving for the first time to Mariners Point Park in Mission Bay. “The Broadway Pier was tailor made for the Bash,” says founding member Mike Misselwitz. “It had an indoor space we decked out like a ‘70s night club. There was a light up floor for go-go dancers, and the cityscape backdrop was beautiful, but it just wasn’t big enough anymore.”
The challenge the Bash faces this year is trying to capture the vibe the event had at the Broadway Pier and refashion it on a beach setting. “The last thing we want is for this to feel like Bayfest or another festival,” Misselwitz stresses, “because that’s not what it is. It’s not what people come for. Nothing against those festivals, but the Bash is different. The goal on Bash Day is Mariner’s Point Park will look nothing like Mariner’s Point Park. It’s going to be a ‘70s festival.” Organizers this year will be building a sixty-by-eighty disco tent on the sand. Inside the tent will be a rolled-out hard dance floor on the beach.
When it comes to the music, many of the alumni artists who have previously played the Bash have gone on to become regulars at bigger festivals. “We’ll have someone on our bill,” says Misselwitz, “then the next year we’ll see them on CRSSD’s lineup. It makes it a little challenging because if an artist is coming to play CRSSD, they’re probably not going to want to come play the Bash, too. Sometimes that limits our lineup. There’s plenty of artists out there to make it work, though.”
This year’s bill includes sixteen acts. “The artists love it like the community loves it. They get so much love from the Bashers. We work really hard to curate a funk and disco lineup. The main stage will have live bands and instrumentation acts. Then there will be the DJ stage focusing on deep, electronic disco. It’s all in the vein of disco.”
While some performers have gone on to bigger platforms, the Bash is still able to reel in big-name talent. The Grammy nominated funk group Chromeo is set to headline the mainstage. “We pitched it and told them what the festival was. Chromeo’s been at the top of my list of dream acts for the Bash since 2008 when it all started. The event is built around that influence. Their energy is what the Bash is. For us, it’s a monumental milestone to have them. They’re pretty selective with what they play. I’m sure they’ll be really fired up on everything that it is.”
The DJ stage will be headlined by duo BreakBot & Irafane, whose sound is a ‘70s era-evoking blend of disco and funk. “BreakBot & Irafane played the Bash in 2022,” says Misselwitz. “Those guys rocked it and came to the after party. It’s cool. It humanizes these artists that people idolize. They come to the Bash and they’re in the crowd dancing with people hanging out. They’re just one of us. It’s perfect for a group like them.”
“The music is a big part of it. If you break it down, the music would maybe a third of why people come. Another third would be the ‘70s theme and the opportunity to get weird. Also, it’s a memorable family type of experience for a friend group. Whatever it is that makes the energy as ‘feel good’ as it is becomes contagious. I love the ‘70s and the funk theme, and love that that’s what our niche is, but it would be cool if we get some sort of funky hip-hop act sometime. Maybe someday.”
The Mustache Bash will be held on March 22 at Mariner’s Point Park. Mustaches were once required for entry but now are optional. However, wearing one is still highly encouraged.
Here's something you might be interested in.
Can Mustache Bash keep 70s vibe at Mariners Point?
Will BreakBot & Irafane be in the crowd dancing?
Can Mustache Bash keep 70s vibe at Mariners Point?
Will BreakBot & Irafane be in the crowd dancing?
Organizers will be build a sixty-by-eighty disco tent on the sand. Inside the tent will be a rolled-out hard dance floor.
They call it the funkiest disco day on Earth. In 2008, The Mustache Bash started growing its upper-lip hair with a core group of San Diego State University pals. Eleven pals to be exact. Opposed to a typical frat party that fizzles out with a hangover and a four-year expiration date, the “mustache” themed party continues to swell. What was once a big house party that would often be shut down by the cops has since turned into a 6,000-person multi-city festival with sixteen acts performing on four stages.
After bouncing around venues, the Bash eventually found a home at the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier in 2015. However, this year the party will be moving for the first time to Mariners Point Park in Mission Bay. “The Broadway Pier was tailor made for the Bash,” says founding member Mike Misselwitz. “It had an indoor space we decked out like a ‘70s night club. There was a light up floor for go-go dancers, and the cityscape backdrop was beautiful, but it just wasn’t big enough anymore.”
The challenge the Bash faces this year is trying to capture the vibe the event had at the Broadway Pier and refashion it on a beach setting. “The last thing we want is for this to feel like Bayfest or another festival,” Misselwitz stresses, “because that’s not what it is. It’s not what people come for. Nothing against those festivals, but the Bash is different. The goal on Bash Day is Mariner’s Point Park will look nothing like Mariner’s Point Park. It’s going to be a ‘70s festival.” Organizers this year will be building a sixty-by-eighty disco tent on the sand. Inside the tent will be a rolled-out hard dance floor on the beach.
When it comes to the music, many of the alumni artists who have previously played the Bash have gone on to become regulars at bigger festivals. “We’ll have someone on our bill,” says Misselwitz, “then the next year we’ll see them on CRSSD’s lineup. It makes it a little challenging because if an artist is coming to play CRSSD, they’re probably not going to want to come play the Bash, too. Sometimes that limits our lineup. There’s plenty of artists out there to make it work, though.”
This year’s bill includes sixteen acts. “The artists love it like the community loves it. They get so much love from the Bashers. We work really hard to curate a funk and disco lineup. The main stage will have live bands and instrumentation acts. Then there will be the DJ stage focusing on deep, electronic disco. It’s all in the vein of disco.”
While some performers have gone on to bigger platforms, the Bash is still able to reel in big-name talent. The Grammy nominated funk group Chromeo is set to headline the mainstage. “We pitched it and told them what the festival was. Chromeo’s been at the top of my list of dream acts for the Bash since 2008 when it all started. The event is built around that influence. Their energy is what the Bash is. For us, it’s a monumental milestone to have them. They’re pretty selective with what they play. I’m sure they’ll be really fired up on everything that it is.”
The DJ stage will be headlined by duo BreakBot & Irafane, whose sound is a ‘70s era-evoking blend of disco and funk. “BreakBot & Irafane played the Bash in 2022,” says Misselwitz. “Those guys rocked it and came to the after party. It’s cool. It humanizes these artists that people idolize. They come to the Bash and they’re in the crowd dancing with people hanging out. They’re just one of us. It’s perfect for a group like them.”
“The music is a big part of it. If you break it down, the music would maybe a third of why people come. Another third would be the ‘70s theme and the opportunity to get weird. Also, it’s a memorable family type of experience for a friend group. Whatever it is that makes the energy as ‘feel good’ as it is becomes contagious. I love the ‘70s and the funk theme, and love that that’s what our niche is, but it would be cool if we get some sort of funky hip-hop act sometime. Maybe someday.”
The Mustache Bash will be held on March 22 at Mariner’s Point Park. Mustaches were once required for entry but now are optional. However, wearing one is still highly encouraged.
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