With a reputation for expansive lineups and idyllic weather, 2017βs fall edition of CRSSD left no stone unturned.
Traditionally summer comes at the end of August, while the temperatures cool and kids get ready to go back to school, but CRSSD gives music lovers a reason to dust off their gear for one last weekend of dancing. San Diego promoters FNGRS CRSSD always curate their events with inclusion in mind with the funk lord headliners Chromeo and Australian heavyweights RΓΌfΓΌs du Sol drawing in the casual crowd while appeasing the purists with techno pioneer Richie Hawtin, Innervisions boss Dixon, and Chicagoβs own The Black Madonna.
The two-day event seemed to pass by too quickly as manoeuvring your way through the one hour sets became an exercise in avoiding the thousands of attendants. With weekend passes sold out weeks in advance, CRSSD is becoming a popular choice for extending your summer vacation. San Diego was blessed with 70 degree weather and when the rest of the country is bundled up in layers it was no surprise to find tank tops and shorts throughout. The crowd never ceases to amaze with their mix of California style and generally up-beat, friendly attitudes.
Americaβs long been known for having a strict 21+ alcohol policy across its 50 states and this can get annoying trying to enjoy your favourite band from 100 meters away in a secluded beer jail. CRSSD Fest, however, has a 21+ age limit and boast multiple bars across its grounds with beers from local microbreweries with your favourite spirits. This year featured a Japanese sake bar from Hawtinβs own ENTER. label equipped with a sushi vendor to satisfy Californiaβs obsession with raw delectable.
As beautiful as the Waterfront Park venue is, the music is what keeps bringing crowds back to San Diegoβs shores year after year. OCEAN VIEW was the largest of the three stages and hosted the live acts of the weekend with Cut Copyβs incredible set of classic hits such as βHearts on Fireβ, βTake Me Overβ and βLights & Musicβ giving us all the nostalgic feels and rising stars Mura Musa showing their staying power with their hits βLovesickβ and βFireflyβ.
Many would consider the PALMS Stage as the hottest party of the weekend with stalwarts Solardo, Hot Since 82, and the ever energetic The Magician all taking turns in giving the crowd a steady stream of bouncing tech-house and disco. The Palms Stage was relentless in providing a constant party atmosphere.
Last but not least, the CITY STEPS composed its weekend lineup of pure techno and the biggest in underground dance music. The live sets of KINK and Mathew Jonson were case studies of forward-thinking electronica and set the stage for a two-hour indoctrination by Resident Advisorβs reigning number one DJ, DIXON. It was easy to get lost in CITY STEPSβ hypnotic beats and no one would blame you if you didnβt leave its dance floor.
With the end of summer, CRSSD Festival grasped the last bit of sunshine of the season and made the most out of its exceptional lineup and gorgeous San Diego landscape.
If you missed this fallβs edition of CRSSD, not to worry. CRSSD Festival has teamed up with WeTransfer to gift fans with a free batch of music downloads from this yearβs lineup including Hot Since 82, Lane 8, Patrick Topping, Jax Jones, Elohim, Prok & Fitch, Lee K, Hito, Cooper Saver, and Signature Food and Cocktail Recipes from Phantoms and Alex Wax.
Download the CRSSD + WeTransfer BundleΒ here.
(Image credits:Β Felicia Garcia, Miranda McDonald, JulianΒ Bajsel)