CRSSD Festival has once again proven why it remains a cornerstone of the US electronic festival scene, offering a remarkable weekend at San Diego’s Waterfront Park. Held on September 28th and 29th, the event delivered its signature blend of cutting-edge house, techno, and eclectic live performances at the beautiful city’s bayfront.
Photo Credit: Felicia Garcia / Keiki Lani-Knudsen / Nicole Busch / Miguel Flores / Izzy Hassan Di-Gruccio
Saturday started with good weather and blue skies, divided into three stages Ocean Views, The Palms, and City Steps, the opening guests brought some familiar faces such as Crosstown Rebels artist Airrica with her deep and melodic beats, Kompakt’s Rex The Dog playing an excellent modular session, and Hot Creations’ Rossi. raised the heat with his house and minimal beats.
Then it was the turn of Nora En Pure’s melodic house style providing a perfect soundtrack to the setting sun, while Walker & Royce kept the energy levels high with their infectious tech-house beats. Also, Miss Monique’s deep, progressive techno kept things fresh, while Skream, Tinlicker (Live), VTSS, and Klangkuenstler played notable sessions at packed stages.
UK’s brothers Disclosure closed the night bringing their signature energy and groove to the Ocean View, delivering a set that blended their well-known hits with deeper house cuts.
On Sunday, the warm and sunny San Diego weather made attendees arrive early at the venue. Happy and smiling faces welcomed the first artists including FCKNG SERIOUS’s Ann Clue, Elrow’s Tinni Gessler, Phantasy Sound’s Erol Alkan, and NEO’s Mathame.
Four Tet’s set was transcendent, guiding the crowd through a journey of intricate textures and evolving rhythms. The rare appearance of Soulwax was a particular treat, showcasing their timeless appeal with a masterclass in genre-bending selections. BICEP’s hybrid A/V show, CHROMA, was another standout, immersing fans in a blend of soaring electronic melodies and innovative visual art that showcased why the duo remains at the forefront of live electronic performances.
The festival’s commitment to techno excellence was evident, headlined by a thumping set from Adam Beyer, whose Drumcode sound dominated the night. I Hate Models, with his raw, relentless energy, pushed the crowd to its limits, while Boris Brejcha, hidden behind his iconic mask, capped off the weekend with a set that balanced experimental beats with dancefloor power.
French producer Gesaffelstein, did not disappoint. His live performance closed the main stage, blending moody soundscapes with a razor-sharp visual display. His latest material came alive in a setting that felt tailor-made for his dark, industrial sound.
CRSSD Festival’s three-stage setup allowed an ideal balance of styles, with each one offering its own distinct vibe. The Palms, with its tropical ambiance, was a haven for house lovers, while City Steps showcased the darker, more intense sounds of techno. The Ocean View stage set over the bay, was the best setting for the festival’s live acts.
Once again, CRSSD Festival continues to stand out for its notable curation and location, aligned with the commitment to pushing the boundaries of electronic music. The Fall 2024 edition was no exception, delivering a weekend that left fans counting the days until the next celebration.
