Have you come back to reality from the debaucherous Labor Day weekend yet? As San Diego continues to strive and be the next "city that never rests," the underground vibes of electronic music are very alive and well week after week -- while one of the nation’s biggest dance festivals hits town at the end of this month, so get ready!
The “underground” is something everyone can love and be a part of and is what spawned the present-day dance-music revolution that the whole world has grown to love -- from EDM to drum & bass, the world is listening.
Kicking off strong on Saturday, Sept. 8, is Enter the Tech’s Secret Formula. A limited-edition event celebrating their last show of the year is a literal underground experience complete with auditory and visual production elements that will blow you away, coupled with a lineup set up for a proper progression of dance throughout your night and into morning. Featuring T Is 4 Techno’s Alien Tom, plus a back-to-back set by myself and Memo Rex, and deep-tech vibes provided by Rock the Discotek, Elezd, Pro-K, Gian Unnaki and Dylan Payne -- it’s highly recommended to arrive early and leave late. For your tickets and more info, head here.
For those that like to stay above ground -- with underground vibes -- Paul Johnson, Stacy Kidd and more throw down some house music at the CW6 lot on the same night, bringing Chicago house-music history of the '90s to the West Coast.
Sunday, Sept. 9, the sun will be perfectly settled above the Spin Nightclub rooftop for a day-time-to-nighttime gathering featuring PillowTalk, Dubeats, Nik Thrine & Ofier, presented by the House2Ourselves crew (Staybad and Flatline).
The following Sunday (Sept. 16), there are plenty of options for dancefloors to be dominated: From the "All Gone Pete Tong" party with Felix Da Housecat as special guest at Quartyard downtown to Sunday Is 4 Loverz featuring Joyce Muniz, Arielle Z, Jimbo James & Mitch Dodge at Firehouse in Pacific Beach. Or if you’d rather hit the Mexico coast, I’ll be DJing at the Sin Fronteras Brewery in Rosarito with a one-of-a-kind view you’ve got to see in person!
On Friday, Sept. 21, United by Bass and Soul Work join forces for a special event by DJ/producer Gina Turner. From super funky basslines to grooving hard-tech house and techno, Gina will take you on a ride and your shoes on a workout.
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For the broken beat and bass lovers (audio, not the fish) Space Bar hosts a special Platinum BrokenBeat night on Saturday, Sept. 22, featuring a live set by Yppah from Ninja Tune Records.
If you missed the last Omega Squad show at Music Box, a special Atomic Disco-themed gathering comes together at Blonde on Saturday, Sept. 29, featuring Fleetwood Smack. Make sure to dress in style, bell-bottoms included! On the same night, at a location to be announced, Doc Martin rings in the Art of Sound anniversary party, which will go late into the night -- all while one of the nation’s largest festivals goes down.
Taking over Waterfront Park for two days, CRSSD Festival returns for its fall 2018 edition -- and like usual, organizers haven’t held back on the super stacked lineup featuring festival favorites Duke Dumont, Bob Moses, Big Wild, Hayden James, Claptone, Thomas Jack, Nina Kravitz, John Digweed, Will Clarke and many, many more. Prepare to rock out to the three stages of music, with plenty of food and drink options, craft beer, wine, sushi with saki and so much more to indulge on. Grab your tickets now as this is a guaranteed sell-out event!
Keep up with more of my gigs and events at my website (DJIDeaL.com) and my weekly radio show "In The Mixxx" on ALT949’s Glow Radio on Friday and Saturday nights!
See you on the dance floor!
DJ IDeaL's September EDM Picks
- Sept. 8: The Secret Formula at San Diego Underground
- Sept. 8: Paul Johnson and Stacy Kidd at Connection (CW6 lot)
- Sept. 9: House2ourselves ft. Pillowtalk and more
- Sept. 16: All Gone Pete Tong ft. Felix Da Housecat at Quartyard
- Sept. 16: DJ IDeaL at Sin Fronteras Rosarito
- Sept. 16: Sunday Is 4 Lovers ft. Joyce Muniz, Arielle Z, Jimbo James, Mitch Dodge at Firehouse PB
- Sept. 21: United By Bass & Soul Work ft. Gina Turner at Spin Nightclub
- Sept. 22: BrokenBeat Night ft. Yppah at Space Bar
- Sept. 29: Omega Squad's Atomic Disco ft. Fleetwood Smack at Blonde Bar
- Sept. 29: Art of Sound Anniversary ft. Doc Martin (location TBA)
- Sept. 29-30: CRSSD Festival at Waterfront Park
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.
