Psycho Las Vegas taps Misfits to fill Saturday-night headliner role

June 30, 2019 — Staff Writer

It was disappointing news earlier this month when Megadeth canceled most dates in their 2019 tour, including a scheduled performance at Psycho Las Vegas. But fans were more concerned for frontman Dave Mustaine who had been diagnosed with throat cancer.

Now, news has broken that the festival—set for August 16-18 at Mandalay Bay Events Center—has found a replacement for the Saturday-night headliner. The Misfits, godfathers of the New Jersey horror-punk scene, will be taking the stage. This is a rare performance, as they have played only a handful of shows since reuniting with original frontman Glenn Danzig in 2016.

Glenn Danzig and Master Shake from ATHF — Glenn Danzig with a different kind of misfit. I give unexpected guests and this scene 5/5. Image: Adult Swim

Those few concerts have included a December 2017 stop at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena, which featured a lineup of Danzig and founding bassist Jerry Only. They were joined by early guitarist Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein and new arrivals Dave Lombardo (drums) and Acey Slade (rhythm guitar). Danzig has previously played Psycho Las Vegas 2018 with his eponymous post-Misfits band, performing 1992’s Danzig III: How the Gods Kill in its entirety. It is not known what he has in store for this year’s performance.

The Psycho lineup is fully loaded. The Misfits will join with other headliners like Electric Wizard (Friday) and Opeth (Sunday), plus Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Beach House, Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats, Clutch, High on Fire, Mogwai, Graveyard, Bad Religion, Carcass, The Faint, The Black Angels, Rotting Christ, Deafheaven and many more.

Poster for Psycho Las Vegas 2019 full lineup — To be honest this poster is deceptively light. I give getting more than you expected 5/5. Image: Psycho Las Vegas

In previous years, Psycho Las Vegas took place at the Hard Rock Hotel, but this year will begin a run at Mandalay Bay with a Psycho Swim pool party. This will feature its own acts, including Corrosion of Comformity, Lucifer and Danava—on Thursday, August 15. Four stages will be used for the main festival, located at the south-Strip resort: Mandalay Bay Events Center, House of Blues, Mandalay Bay Beach and Rhythm & Riffs Lounge.

This year looks to set record attendance.

Psycho Las Vegas tickets cost $249 for the weekend or $109 per day and are on sale now at official ticket vendors, or purchase directly from vivapsycho.com