Clusterfest returns to Civic Center for second year

Clusterfest returns to Civic Center for second yearThe Colossal Stage. | Photos: Alisa Scerrato/Hoodline
Alisa Scerrato
Published on June 01, 2018

Clusterfest has returned to San Francisco.

Starting tonight at 5 p.m., the three-day comedy and music festival, now in its second year at Civic Center, is headlined by Jon Stewart, Amy Schumer, Trevor Noah, The Lonely Island, and John Mulaney.

More than 70 comedians and musicians will perform across multiple stages in Civic Center Plaza and Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, featuring names like Jim Jefferies, Tiffany Haddish, Third Eye Blind, David Cross, Michael Che, Roy Wood Jr., and Salt-N-Pepa. In addition to standup performances, many artists will also live readings and record podcasts.

Photo: Clusterfest

Ticket holders have access to interactive attractions from TV shows, including South Park, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Double Dare, and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

The South Park area offers visitors an immersive experience in the two-dimensional fictional town, including games, tickets, raffles and theme foods. 

Featuring more than 25 area restaurants, food vendors include Humphry Slocombe, Kronnerburger, Woodhouse Fish Company, and Dosa by Dosa. 

Little Star Pizza is serving Whistlin’ Willy’s pizza at South Park, along with Johnny Doughnuts, which is offering a Dem Donuts three-pack and doughnut sundaes by Tweek Bros.

Inside Paddy’s Pub from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, guests can enjoy dishes such as rum ham with beer (spiced ham sandwich with tomatoes & lettuce on French roll, served with a beer), and bagged spaghetti with vitamin balls (spaghetti noodles with marinara sauce, meatballs, & parmesan cheese).

Bill Graham Civic Auditorium has been temporarily transformed into the Donald J. Trump Presidential Twitter Library.

Created in New York as a pop-up by The Daily Show, the president's Twitter rants are chronicled in various exhibits, one of which allows visitors to sit on a toilet and compose messages.

There’s also an interactive Trump Nickname Generator, a Deleted But Not Forgotten Tweet memorial, a World According To Trump map, and other exhibits. 

Jonas Larsen, West Coast Executive Vice President of Talent and Development at Comedy Central, told Hoodline that San Francisco has always been at the top of his list for live events.

“Not just for practical reasons, but really because of its legacy in comedy,” he said. “So many comedy greats and comedy clubs came out of here, and so did great fans."

Larson said he loves working in San Francisco. "What a great city, and what great weather we’re having this weekend. It’s like the city wanted us to be here.”