CRSSD up: Waterfront music festival returns

It’s time again to head back to Waterfront Park for another weekend of CRSSD Fest. It seems hard to believe, but this is already the sixth edition of the bi-annual festival since debuting in 2015.

In just two short years, CRSSD has become San Diego’s premier EDM festival, if not one of the most anticipated electronic music events on the West Coast.

“We’re doing our best to set a new tone - and to set a tone here that isn’t rave-based,” said Tyson Ziebarth, the founder of CRSSD before the festival’s launch in 2015.

With its off-site assortment of nightly satellite events staged by San Diego’s FNGRS CRSSD production company, and ridiculously gorgeous bayfront locale, CRSSD has plenty to offer beyond the stereotypical EDM rave.

But nothing has helped CRSSD’s rapid ascent more than the festival organizers’ ability to construct compelling lineups year after year. Past performances from the likes of Flume, Nicolas Jaar, Seth Troxler, Giorgio Moroder, Odesza, Pete Tong, Maceo Plex, James Murphy, Tycho, Claude Vonstroke, Maya Jane Coles, Jamie XX, Zhu, Claptone, Kygo, Cashmere Cat and more have given CRSSD an amazingly solid foundation from which to build.

This year is no different. The Ocean View, Palms, and City Steps stages will be filled with another strong and nicely varied roster of electronic acts.

CRSSD Fest Fall ’17

When: Saturday, Sept. 30 and Sunday, Oct. 1

Where: Waterfront Park, 1600 Pacific Highway, downtown

Cost: $155 weekend pass or $110 single day Saturday and $90 single day Sunday; 21+

Online: crssdfest.com

Saturday’s kick-off will be anchored by Australian trio Rüfüs Du Sol. Others taking the stage on day one include Danish singer MØ, French house DJ Breakbot, Portland-based beatmaker Emancipator, and New Zealand electropop sibling duo Broods. There also will be back-to-back sets from Brothers Macklovitch - real-life brothers Alain (DJ/producer A-Trak) and Dave (Dave 1 of Chromeo) Macklovitch. The latter, alongside longtime musical partner Patrick “P-Thugg” Gemayel, will perform on Sunday as part of his popular, electro-funk main band.

Another headliner on day two is minimalist techno pioneer Richie Hawtin. The musician and DJ, who also permorms as Plastikman, is part of a wide-range of artists taking the CRSSD stages on Sunday. French DJ/composer FKJ, British DJ Hot Since 82, Belgian DJ/producer The Magician, and London-based singer/producer SOHN will all make appearances.

CRSSD After Dark also will be in full effect with off-site performances Friday through Sunday around downtown at Bang Bang, Kettner Exchange, Music Box, El Camino, and Spin.

Artists participating in the post-show series include Lee Burridge and All Day I Dream, Bearson, Mura Masa, Solardo, Cut Copy, and Lee K.

And because Sunday also happens to be International Sake Day, CRSSD headliner Richie Hawtin will be curating both a sake-centric set, as well as a full sake bar at Bang Bang for a special festival closing party. He’ll also be doing some special on-site events, in collaboration with his ENTER.Sake brand, on Sunday.

Hawtin’s “Sake Pouring Hour” will give fans a chance to chat with the DJ and try some of his favorite variations of the Japanese rice wine.

Kampai!