In what has felt like the longest winter we’ve had in ages, the light at the end of the tunnel was approaching: CRSSD‘s Spring Festival at Waterfront Park in San Diego. Although the weather wasn’t perfect, the setting could not have been better for the caliber of the acts they had prepared for us over the weekend.
The first day featured a surprise set from the sun which made the beginning hours of the festival nice and warm for everyone there. We began at the City Steps with Jensen Interceptor, an artist from Australia who’s been making noise in the underground with his fast, heavy, and high energy sets. Certainly an uppity way to get the day started. French singer Yelle also played a funky set at the Ocean View stage while the energy was kept up high at the City Steps with Bloody Mary. Things really started to pick up once Skin on Skin made his debut performance at the festival, which was an excellent blend of hip-hop & drill influences with driving techno beats.
We then got to see a long block from two other Australian artists Kettama and Mall Grab, who played at The Palms stage. What was supposed to be 2 separate sets turned into one long b2b which saw the energy build upon itself the entire time. It was a heavy lift for the closing acts Kavinsky, UMEK, and Polo & Pan to finish out the festival, but they did so in grand fashion.
Day two was a little gloomy and chilly compared to the mostly sunny first day, but we were back and ready for another round of heavy hitting acts to close out the weekend. After a wicked opening set at the City Steps from Juheun, a rising talent out of Phoenix, the day was in full swing. The City Steps also had sets from some legendary figures including Mark Broom and Ken Ishii. Eats Everything unfortunately couldn’t make it for his b2b set with Seth Troxler, but we were surprised to hear that Skream filled in for him at The Palms and it made for just as good if not an even better time.
While that b2b was happening, fans were also blessed with the CRSSD debut of Sama’ Abdulhadi, the Palestinian techno all-star, who threw down an amazing high energy set which the crowd reciprocated. Needless to say she definitely left her mark on CRSSD history with that performance.
With Lane 8 and Odesza being the closing acts at Ocean View, it made for a great way to wind down and reflect on yet another great weekend at CRSSD Festival. There’s a reason people have been coming out twice a year for almost 10 years now, and it’s because the festival continues to deliver on all fronts. We’re excited to return in Fall and see what’s in store!
