Photo by Keiki Knudsen
Underworld, Overmono, Charlotte de Witte & more top our picks for this weekend’s dance music extravaganza
CRSSD, the biannual electronic dance music extravaganza, returns to Waterfront Park in downtown San Diego this weekend with one of its best lineups yet. The gorgeous, picturesque venue that rests adjacent to the San Diego harbor (and the historical Star of India shipyard) will once again play host to some of the most legendary names in EDM, along with a a throng of talented up-and-comers. Below, we’ve broken down four acts per day that we’re most excited to check out, and we’ve also included the full set times for you to peruse. Be sure to rave responsibly. Happy CRSSD!
Saturday:
Underworld
Day 1 looks to be a real special one with the British big beat/progressive house legends Underworld set to headline the Ocean View stage. The duo of Karl Hyde and Rick Smith has not lost a single step in their entire 35-year history, and they’re even drawing in new fans too on the strength of their colorful, visceral live show, which was one of the best sets I took in at this year’s Coachella. Their use of technical hardware and moody lighting schemes creates a truly one-of-a-kind atmosphere – a distillation of the ’90s warehouse scene in all its throttling psychedelic glory. It’s an ultra-rare San Diego performance from the group, and one that should not be missed if you consider yourself a student of electronica.
Todd Terje
Almost a decade removed from his iconic record It’s Album Time!, Swedish producer Todd Terje has kept himself busy on the DJ circuit, and his mixes are every bit as good as his live ones. Disco, future funk, house, jazz, swing, and everything in between make up his incredibly unique taste palette. Todd’s DJ sets always keep you guessing, leaving listeners dancing on pins and needles from one euphoric track to the next. He’ll be performing midday at the Palms stage, a paradise for house music lovers.
Jayda G
Jayda G is as reliable as they come. The Grammy-nominated Canadian DJ-producer has gone from strength to strength over the last several years, rising through the EDM sphere to play such huge festivals as Movement, Coachella, and more. Deep house, garage, disco, dance pop, she covers it all in her eclectic and spine-tingling DJ sets. She’s a total pro with surgical precision. Get to the Palms stage early at 3 p.m. for what will no doubt be the best early afternoon dance party of the festival.
HAAi
Hailing from western Australia, the rising DJ-producer HAAi has been riding a giant swell of popularity thanks to her kinetic blend of dark techno and electro. Her 2022 album Baby, We’re Ascending is one of the best releases in the scene in a long time, and she’s gonna look to break even bigger on the strength of her fantastic ear candy-riddled sets. Unfortunately she overlaps a bit with Jayda G, but with each having hour-fifteen slots, you’ll easily be able to split sets and get the full experience of both.
Sunday:
Charlotte de Witte
By far the hottest star in the techno sphere over the last couple years, reigning queen Charlotte de Witte touches down in San Diego for the first time in a while, and it’s gonna be a special occasion. The Belgian DJ-producer is renowned for her “dark and stripped-down” style of techno, which she’ll unleash with throttling, pulse-pounding aplomb as she headlines the rave-hardy City Steps stage. Although she’s scheduled against the superstar headliner Flume, my feeling is she’ll give the audience more of what they truly want. In my opinion, she’ll be the best way to end your weekend.
Overmono
The most buzzed-about rising stars in the IDM, progressive house, and UK garage spheres, Overmono will make their CRSSD debut with a primetime slot on the Palms stage. Their sets come packed with frantic breakbeats, haunting vocal samples, and revving basslines that recall all the glory from their debut album Good Lies, which dropped earlier this year. And to top it all off, they perform live with an impressive hardware setup that’ll have tech heads marveling at their musical precision. A perfect way to reign in the nighttime vibes.
Boys Noize
One of the crowning jewel acts of the early 2010s EDM glory years, Boys Noize has truly aged like fine wine. The beloved German electro-house legend is always a forward-thinking mastermind and a consummate mixing professional, able to swerve on a dime from one momentum-shifting detour to the next without interrupting the flow of his set. He’ll be the one anchoring the envious sunset slot on the Palms stage, and the vibes are sure to be immaculate.
TSHA
London-based producer TSHA is quickly earning her reputation as one of the brightest young minds in electronic music these days. She’s a true double threat, equally great at producing and performing live as she is DJing. I imagine she’ll DJ during this early afternoon slot on the Palms stage, plying her trade with house music remixes, mashups, and edits of her own tunes. If you’re not too hungover from Saturday, get down to Waterfront Park before 3:45 to check out what she can do. An ideal start to Day 2.
