Cover Photo Courtesy of Keiki Lani-Knudsen – KK — @imkeiki
Rain or shine, CRSSD fest knows how to dazzle!
Taking over Waterfront Park in beautiful downtown San Dego, CRSSD festival is a celebration of house and techno music. They make great use of the relatively small park, turning it into a complete dance music paradise, complete with $20 beers, pounding bass, and incredible ocean views. But alas, a music festival can only be as great as its music. CRSSD festival clearly worked very hard to deliver a true masterclass of a lineup.
PC: Keiki Lani-Knudsen – KK — @imkeiki
Sammy Virji
Despite being dunked on by Mother Nature on Saturday, the rain couldn’t drown out the quality of the performances. My friends seriously contemplate leaving as the rain pours down. I let them know that we really need to stay for Sammy Virji, otherwise we’ll regret it forever.
PC: Miguel Flores – MF — @miguelmonad
Upon starting, it’s clear that Sammy Virji oozes talent. As much as I love house music, it’s easy for djs to get a bit too repetitive during their sets. Sammy Virji’s set is anything but repetitive. His set builds with intelligence and class. He often interjects fun breakdowns to keep us engaged. His prowess on the decks is fully on display as we can see him actively turning knobs and beatmatching on the fly. Toward the end of his set, he slips in Peggy Gou’s fan-favorite hit, “Nanana.” Despite being a major hit in its own right, this song has reached a whole new demographic thanks to its recent inclusion in Fortnite. My squad and I all hit our emotes as this banger plays.
PC: Miguel Flores – MF — @miguelmonad
Armand Van Helden
Immediately after Sammy Virji finishes up, Armand Van Helden takes the Palms stage. Armand Van Helden blends house and disco classics together with ease. He’s a wizard on the decks and knows exactly what to play to get the crowd moving. His hit song, “Bonkers,” sounds incredibly crisp on the world-class speakers. Sweat is flying, bodies are moving, and the groove is impeccable. Armand Van Helden’s set proves that CRSSD knows how to curate a lineup.
PC: Keiki Lani-Knudsen – KK — @imkeiki
Disco Lines
Disco Lines plays a unique blend of deep house, bass, and techno that is simply irresistible. His infectious smile and positive energy combined with his upbeat dance music puts everyone in a good mood. His vibrant set is also combined with imaginative visuals that greatly elevate the overall experience. Toward the end of his set, he plays a creative remix of Tame Impala’s, “Let it Happen.” This remix absolutely rules and turns the party up a notch.
PC: Keiki Lani-Knudsen – KK — @imkeiki
Little Dragon
Little Dragon’s lead vocalist, Yukimi Nagano, is nothing short of phenomenal live. Her stage presence and vocal control ensures that the band packs a powerful punch. It’s clear that the Swedish band has spent years playing together as their whole set is incredibly tight and involved. They are an extraordinary live act that show that CRSSD is not just a festival dedicated to dance music, but a festival dedicated to great music.
PC: Keiki Lani-Knudsen – KK — @imkeiki
All in all, Crssd festival is truly something for San Diego to be proud of. Incredible music and top-notch production all along the pristine Pacific Coast, who could ask for more?
