Photo by Keiki-Lani Knudsen
Disclosure, Gesaffelstein, Four Tet, BICEP, I Hate Models & more set for a stacked weekend dance party at Waterfront Park
CRSSD, the biannual San Diego electronic music extravaganza, returns to Waterfront Park this weekend for another house and techno-filled dance party along the harbor. A few months ago, we marveled at the stacked international slate of DJs that will take to the CRSSD stages; now, with that vision about to meet reality, we’re gonna take you through the set times (which you can view below) as well as our list of acts to check out while you’re there.
Truth be told, there’s no wrong way at CRSSD – all roads lead to euphoria. It’s truly a blissful choose-your-adventure type of experience, with amazing beats and peak vibes coalescing at a wonderfully-curated and picturesque venue. But if you really want the inside scoop on some of these acts – big or small – we’ve now got you covered.
Disclosure (Saturday, Ocean View @ 9:30-11:00)
The iconic English duo of brothers Guy and Howard Lawrence continue to thrill massive crowds anywhere they play in the world. Over fifteen years into their career, they still haven’t lost a single step – not in the quality of their recordings, their live shows, or their DJ sets. Somehow, they’re just now making their CRSSD debut, and of course, they’re headlining on Day 1. Better late than never. It’s not totally clear if they’re performing live or DJing, but honestly, they never miss in any form.
Skream (Saturday, The Palms @ 7:00-8:00)
One of the most reliable and influential staples of the U.K. rave scene going back to the mid-2000s, Skream returns to CRSSD, and it’s anyone’s guess what he’ll deliver – such is his level of creativity and sonic diversity. More than likely, we will receive a set that somehow surgically blends his old school dubstep impulses with more modern tech house structure. Either way, his post-sunset set on the Palms Stage will be a treat for all in attendance.
Confidence Man (Saturday, Ocean View @ 2:15-3:00)
Australia’s premiere indie electropop stalwarts Confidence Man, soaring off the buzz of the release of their forthcoming album 3 AM, LA LA LA, will serve up the ultimate early afternoon dance party. Not only is their music bright, buoyant, and bombastic, they also put on a hell of a stage spectacle, with lead singers Janet Planet and Sugar Bones also serving as dancers and hype men to get the crowd airborne. Get in early at 2:15 to catch them on Ocean View.
VTSS (Saturday, City Steps @ 7:15-8:30)
Martyna Maja, the elusive mastermind behind VTSS, blends maximal, high octane club rhythms with raw DIY authenticity. Ominous dark techno soundscapes will consume her City Steps performance after sunset. Clanging techno, breakbeat, and a dash of trance is the winning formula for VTSS. She continues to draw bigger crowds with each set, and her Saturday night appearance at CRSSD may be another breakthrough for her that you won’t wanna miss.
Gesaffelstein (Sunday, Ocean View @ 8:45-10:00)
Techno’s dark prince Gesaffelstein, one of the most beloved and infamous DJ-producers on the planet, makes his return to CRSSD five years after his first headlining performance. With his combination of plunging, hellish beats and a theatrical live show – featuring stacks of blinding white LED lights and a chrome metal body suit with glowing red eyes – Gesa is one of the darkest and most intense artists to achieve superstar status. Do not miss this one-of-a-kind visceral moment to end the weekend.
BICEP (Saturday, Ocean View @ 6:45-8:00)
Presenting their eye-popping CHROMA A/V DJ set, the U.K. duo BICEP will occupy the sub-headlining slot on CRSSD’s Ocean View stage on Sunday night. Over the past decade, the group has amassed a very large word-of-mouth audience thanks on the strength of their wondrous live show – a perfect visual demonstration of their flickering breakbeats and hypnotic, pulsating melodies. Prepare to be teleported to an ethereal higher plane.
Four Tet (Saturday, The Palms @ 5:30-6:45)
Four Tet has long ruled the underground IDM sphere, but over the past few years, he’s also enjoyed the spoils of crossover mainstream stardom, thanks to his associations with Skrillex, Fred Again, et al. For a veteran DJ-producer like him to receive his flowers this late in the game is a testament to his talent, versatility, tenacity, and perseverance. There’s honestly no predicting what he’ll give us at CRSSD. Hypnotic IDM? Clanging brostep? A disorienting Autechre edit? We won’t know until it happens.
I Hate Models (Sunday, City Steps @ 7:45-9:00)
The emerging French hard techno superstar I Hate Models is about as raw and viscerally emotional as the rave scene gets. He has a deft touch when it comes to wrangling industrial sounds with techno and trance. He performs with a mask and comes across as dangerous, foreboding, primal, and sexy. It’s impossible to not lose yourself completely in the sweaty, topsy turvy madness of his sets. A perfect cathartic cleanser to close out your weekend.
Soulwax (Sunday, Ocean View @ 5:25-6:25)
Belgium has always been extremely well-represented in the EDM scene, and the ’90s big beat marauders Soulwax are probably the most rare and unique act on this year’s CRSSD lineup. With their glorious drum-filled instrumental set-up and lighting presentation, the duo that also moonlights as 2manydjs will present an emphatic, hypnotizing array of big beat, electroclash, and dance punk madness during the golden hour on Sunday at Ocean View. Let them expand your mind and touch your soul.
