Wishing the very best to everyone who has hopefully shaken off the New Year's weekend hangover and is ready to get 2016 started with lots of dance floor action! As San Diego continues to make its mark on the electronic dance music scene, New Year’s Eve (and day) celebrations proved worthy of the hype with grand hotel and nightclub celebrations, house-music yachts events, and a three-day arena party. Amongst the fog and lasers, Bassmnt Nightclub also made it’s return to the our city's nightlife with an unexpected move catering to the new age clubbers as an 18-plus and 21-plus venue.
While expecting even more top-grade talent and a new spin downtown with another venue to congregate at, San Diegans can go see Dillon Francis’ collab buddy Drezo as he takes over the decks at Bang Bang on Friday, Jan. 8. Stop in and grab some exquisite sushi before a dance under the giant disco ball. Make sure to save some energy as Tool returns the following nights (Saturday and Sunday, January 9-10) with vicarious shows -- and with no future tour in sight ahead, a Tool show is one not to miss, and is a must-see experience any time you have a chance!
Friday, Jan. 15, Omnia takes the reins by bringing back globetrotter DJ Tiesto. Known for his big-room beats, the main room will be complementary to the open-air deck where you can grab a cocktail and mingle under the stars. On the flip side of the coin, Scream! returns to the World Beat Center with classic hard house DJ Poogie Bear inside, and a variety of support artists in the outside area. Martin Luther King Jr. weekend would not be complete without a Sunday house music afternoon hosted by Souleil at Hillcrest’s Gossip Grill.
Keeping the bass pumping strong, Fluxx will be hosting Lumberjvck on Friday, Jan. 22. Hot on the scene with a new track, “Name Bran,” releasing with 12th Planet on the heavy-hitting SMOG Records on Jan. 18 -- expect a packed house with a possibility of body shots on the bar! If you’re into the progressive big-room sounds, Dyro is hosted at Bassmnt Fridays the same night, presented by Infinite Empire and Revive 619, and will have an 18-plus area with plenty of twerk space for you and all your friends.
As we peek toward the end of the month and the sun is expected to be back on our radar, LED continues their daytime music gatherings on Sunday, Jan. 24, this time at the Gaslamp’s Quartyard with Destructo; Justin Martin, who will be getting you in a party frenzy; and Rezz who'll getting the party started. Parq rounds out the festivities with a special Thursday night show (Jan. 28) with the duo sensation Chromeo. Always funky with electro beats, vocoders and jam sessions, catch Chromeo if you’re in the mood for some Coachella 2014 memories. Lastly, for the #SDTranceFamily and progressive house heads alike, British DJ and DJ Mag Top 100 artist Gareth Emery will deliver one of his hand-crafted sets at Omnia on Jan. 30 to take you on a musical voyage.
With plenty of music to get you through the new year blues (especially if you didn’t get ahold of some Coachella tickets and will be missing BPM Festival in Playa Del Carmen), take note of all the events available in town and feel free to venture out of your preferred genres to explore some new music. And remember to support your locals, because our city is full of great new talent and you’ll be happy to have caught them before they are superstars themselves!
If you happen to be in the Los Angeles area on Jan. 9, be sure to catch me on the Avalon Hollywood main stage with Michael Woods!
DJ IDeaL's Top January EDM Shows
- Jan. 7: Muse makeup show at Valley View Casino Arena
- Jan. 8: Drezo at Bang Bang
- Jan. 9-10: Tool at SDSU's Viejas Arena
- Jan. 15: Tiesto at Omnia San Diego
- Jan. 15: Scream! with DJ Poogie Bear at World Beat Center (18-plus)
- Jan. 17: Souleil Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend Sunday at Gossip Grill
- Jan. 22: Lumberjvck at Fluxx
- Jan. 22: Dyro: Bassmnt Fridays presented by Infinite Empire and Revive619
- Jan. 24: Destructo and Justin Martin at QuartYard (afternoon)
- Jan. 28: Chromeo at Parq
- Jan. 30: Gareth Emery at Omnia San Diego
Tomas Serrano, aka DJ IDeaL, is the electronic dance music correspondent for SoundDiego, covering the best of San Diego's electronic music events and culture. Follow his whereabouts on Facebook, Twitter or contact him directly.
