CRSSD returned to Waterfront Park in San Diego for another two-day fall festival this past weekend.
Having FOMO? Don’t worry, DanceMusic Northwest was there to recap the highlights.
Saturday starts off with Notion, Marlon Hoffstadt, Chase West
Saturday was energetic, and even though the venue was packed, getting inside didn’t take too long. One of the most notable sets was Notion, who played at the main stage during sunset. Not only was the sunset vibrant, but his set was electric, leaning into UK garage and rap remixes.
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If you’ve never been to CRSSD, walking from the Ocean View main stage to the City Steps techno stage and the Palms house stage wasn’t too bad. The stages were just far enough apart that the sound didn’t bleed in, while food and drinks were also easy to find, with quite a few options. Overall, CRSSD is a very manageable festival to navigate.
As Saturday continued, the next standout sets were Marlon Hoffstadt and Chase West. Marlon Hoffstadt’s hard-hitting techno set filled the City Steps stage as attendees packed in to see the trending show. Chase West delivered a house set that had the crowd moving and grooving as people stopped to dance.
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A noticeable aspect of CRSSD’s crowd control was the festival’s use of the park’s fountains. They flowed into shallow pools near the stages during the day and were turned off at night to create more room. The bridges over the pools were used as walkways, but were large enough to let people pass through. The festival offered plenty of viewpoints to see the stages and areas to dance.
I Hate Models, VTSS turn up the volume
Going back to the music, I Hate Models was arguably one of Saturday’s most fun sets, with chaotic but lighthearted remixes that left you guessing what he was going to play next. One second he was playing Rihanna and the next it was Ray Volpe’s Laserbeam. He kept the crowd jumping up and down the entire time. Layton Giordani was another stellar act, playing some infectious house that kept the vibes up.
Saturday ended with VTSS, Sonny Fodera, and MOCHAKK. We went with VTSS, who delivered an electrifying set, but unfortunately that meant missing out on MOCHAKK and Sonny Fodera. However, CRSSD does a great job of posting clips on their Instagram after the show.
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Sunday brings an unforgettable Chris Lorenzo set
On Sunday, we got inside just in time for Chris Lorenzo’s daytime set, which, in our opinion, was the best set of the weekend. It seemed like everyone was focused on enjoying the music, while Chris Lorenzo managed to create a calm atmosphere and play his signature upbeat house music.
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Next, we ventured to the main stage to see Oskar Med K, who played at a much slower tempo but was fitting for the sunset. We also caught some of Methame and Marco Strous’ sets, who were both surprising highlights for the weekend.
We went back to the main stage to see DRAMA, where Via Rosa performed live vocals alongside producer Na’el Shehade. Groove Armada and Helena Hauff were playing at the house and techno stages, and were both entertaining. We watched Helena Hauff from the staggered walkway area, which gave a fantastic view.
Big Wild was at the main stage, and we couldn’t miss him, so we walked back just in time to catch his last song of the night, 6’s to 9’s.
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Chris Lake b2b Disclosure ends the weekend in the rain
We walked over to see a chunk of Prospa’s set, and the house stage was filled all the way to the bathrooms. We left to end the night at Chris Lake b2b Disclosure, who put on a magical show. It started raining, but the rain only added to the ambiance. As we exited the venue, we watched the tail end of Kettama’s set, capping off a festive weekend.
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If you’re planning to go next fall, keep an eye on the weather and make sure to pack a portable fan, as it can get muggy. Another tip is to download the CRSSD app, which includes the lineup, a map of the venue, allows you to create your own schedule, and lets you keep up with activities like panels and discussions. The app worked even when service was spotty.
All in all, if you’re a house or techno fan, CRSSD is definitely the place to be.
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