{"id":236473,"date":"2026-03-25T22:06:45","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T22:06:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/236473\/"},"modified":"2026-03-25T22:06:45","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T22:06:45","slug":"the-femme-fronted-bands-of-doll-fest-are-set-to-take-over-oakland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/236473\/","title":{"rendered":"The Femme-Fronted Bands of Doll Fest Are Set to Take Over Oakland"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cAnything that uplifts, empowers, or highlights women\u2019s creativity is a yes for me. The current state of the world is doing a number on women, and I want to contribute to their joy,\u201d says Anita, who plays guitar and sings for Black Gold Sun. <\/p>\n

Doll Fest cofounder Maria Chaos was similarly fed up with the status quo, and grew determined to create the change she wanted to see in punk.<\/p>\n

\u201cI became really tired of watching old white man bands hogging the stages and making these empty promises of tokenized statements,\u201d she tells KQED via email. <\/p>\n

\"\"All-female ska band El Colectivo Sabinas. (Artist photo)<\/p>\n

Maria stepped up to the plate and built Doll Fest from the ground up alongside co-founder Freya Hausman, who until recently was the general manager of the Bay Area record label Alternative Tentacles. The two booked femme-led bands across the punk spectrum \u2013 from riot grrrl legends to ska-punk and alt-rock \u2013 prioritizing<\/a> a group\u2019s enjoyment, draw and morals relative to the fest\u2019s local audience and ethos. The inaugural Doll Fest took over Cornerstone in Berkeley, a city chosen for its history of radical art and activism<\/a>, with headliners Tsunami Bomb and Naked Aggression. <\/p>\n

Veronica, Black Gold Sun\u2019s bassist, has exclusively played in all-female bands, and performed at multiple women-focused events. \u201cPunk music has always been about challenges, rebellion, DIY culture. This festival gives space for female-fronted bands to be seen and heard, and for folks to experience a range of styles and messages that can keep the scene fresh and energized,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n

The energy is contagious \u2013 and expansive. Doll Fest has grown to include multiple auxiliary events including a comedy night, boxing meet-up, a vinyl compilation, multiple fundraisers, and a two-day festival in Mexico City headlined by legendary L.A. punk Alice Bag. \u201cBefore anyone asks, no this is not going to be Vans Warped Tour 2.0,\u201d Maria adds.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaving bands come from other areas to the Bay Area can be quite costly or difficult,\u201d she continues. \u201cThis is a family, a community. If they can\u2019t come to us then I want to go to them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Doll Fest has a nationwide community of supporters. Just a few months after the first Doll Fest, Maria was at Florida\u2019s Fest<\/a> and spoke with many people who knew about her event. \u201cThey thought it was so cool and had been yearning for an event like this.\u201d<\/p>\n

At a Doll Fest benefit show<\/a> in November featuring San Francisco OGs Frightwig<\/a>, a performer recalled becoming jaded with life and music. \u201c[She said] this event had given her a spark that she hadn\u2019t felt in years,\u201d Maria remembered. \u201cI was in tears at one point\u2026because the room felt like you were walking into a giant hug.\u201d<\/p>\n

Black Gold Sun\u2019s Anita Lofton considers a femme-focused festival to be a powerful acknowledgment.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe plain and simple truth is that seeing something makes it possible,\u201d she says. \u201cWhen you see women performing punk music, you know it\u2019s real.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Bad Cop Bad Cop, from Southern California, play this weekend\u2019s Doll Fest. (So Finch Photography)<\/p>\n

Like any production, putting on Doll Fest comes with logistical and emotional challenges. Maria says she experiences stress, imposter syndrome, and sometimes fears that she\u2019s letting her team down. <\/p>\n

Still, \u201chearing about how this event brings a type of joy to peoples\u2019 lives\u2026fuel[s] the fire,\u201d Maria says. \u201cI\u2019ll keep doing these until I die.\u201d<\/p>\n

Doll Fest takes place Saturday and Sunday, March 28 and 29, at the California Ballroom (1726 Franklin St. Oakland). A pre-party gets underway Friday, March 27, at the Ivy Room. Tickets and more details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n