The Best Artists At CRSSD Festival 2025

Attack Magazine breaks down 5 must-watch sets at this year’s CRSSD Festival.

CRSSD Festival returns in just a few weeks, set for March 1-2 on the sun-drenched San Diego waterfront. The festival is known for its diverse lineup, blending mainstream electronic acts with some of the underground's most prominent artists — offering something for everyone.

With so much to see, it can be tough to decide where to go and what to skip. These recommendations might help you make the most of your experience and ensure a weekend to remember.

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Cinthie once called Attack her “favourite website.” So, yes, we have a soft spot. And while flattery never hurts, Cinthie certainly doesn’t need it. Her music, good nature and live show have propelled her career.

A vinyl veteran and Chicago house acolyte, Cinthie has spent the past decade relentlessly touring the world. But it wasn’t an overnight success. She has worked in music her entire career — as a record label boss and shop owner. Her Elevate Berlin store remains a haven for dance music lovers. With that in mind, her path was set long ago, yet she continues to evolve.

The last time we saw Cinthie live was at ADE’s The Loft in 2022, where she delivered a heady mix of modern classics, all-time classics and her own material. Dubbed the Berlin Queen of House, she has released music on Aus, Shall Not Fade, and Heist, and she curated a DJ-Kicks compilation that encapsulated the raw house sound she’s known for. Her productions, however, span genres, from downtempo and nu-disco to footwork, dubby techno and more.

A legend at the top of her game, good vibes, good weather — what’s not to like?

Catch Cinthie on Saturday March 1st at The Palms.

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One of dance music’s most enduring and eclectic artists, Special Request has been a fan favourite for years. From piano-driven bangers on Hotflush to elegant techno on Planet E and jungle under his Special Request alias, Paul Woolford is hard to pin down—but you can catch him next month at CRSSD Festival.

We last spoke to Woolford in 2017, and since then, his artistry has continued to evolve. Performing under numerous aliases, including Bobby Peru, Hip Therapist, Wooly, Skip Donahue and Special Request, he has constantly shifted his sound. That wasn’t always the plan — back in 2019, he announced he had only intended to release four albums that year.

The first, Vortex, arrived in May, a hard-hitting club record packed with what Woolford called “bowel-evacuating bangers.” It took his signature breakbeat hardcore sound to its most intense and abrasive extremes.

In June, he followed up with Bedroom Tapes, a collection of early tracks he rediscovered on cassette during a move. The album revealed a softer side, drawing a line from the left-field sounds of the ’90s to the airy, understated strains of late-2010s house.

October brought Offworld, an album inspired by the question: “What if Jam & Lewis signed to Metroplex?” Then, at the end of the year, he self-released Zero Fucks, the hardest-hitting of them all. In 2020, R&S Records issued Spectral Frequency, an EP centred around the album’s most well-received track.

At CRSSD, expect to hear Spectral Frequency — just make sure your ears are ready.

Catch Special Request on Sat March 1st at City Steps.

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A key figure in France’s underground techno scene, François X has built a reputation for deep, hypnotic, and emotionally charged club music. From atmospheric soundscapes to raw, driving grooves, his sound is compelling.

François X first emerged in the late 2000s, making waves with releases on Parisian labels like Deeply Rooted and Dement3d, the latter of which he co-founded. As a resident at Concrete, he became one of the defining artists of the city’s techno renaissance, known for marathon sets that blurred the lines between industrial weight and dreamlike euphoria.

In 2016, he released Irrational Expressions, a record that showcased his ability to balance intensity with introspection. Two years later, Murky Dreams saw him push further into cinematic, left-field territory, drawing from electro, ambient, and even R&B influences.

Never one to stay in one lane, he launched his label XX LAB in 2022 as a home for his more experimental instincts, exploring themes of identity, surrealism, and club culture’s darker corners.

At CRSSD, if you're looking for a gritter, deeper side of techno, you could do no wrong by checking out François X.

Catch Francois X on Sat March 1st at City Steps.

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A producer's producer? Would that be fair? Is that even a thing? With an ear for rich textures and infectious rhythms, O’Flynn has carved out a space where dancefloor energy meets deep musicality. Blending elements of house, UK bass, and global percussion, his sound is fresh despite the insane hit Otomo practically being unavoidable back in 2021.

That track was made in collaboration with Bonobo, and if you're a fan of Bonbo, there's a chance you'll enjoy O'Flynn live. That's not to say he's an acolyte, but you can hear the inspiration alongside others, notably Four Tet. Intricate drum patterns, use of percussion and euphoric melodies and all that...

In 2019, he dropped his debut album, Aletheia, a widescreen take on club music that moved between breakbeats, lush synth work, and emotive, sample-driven grooves. Since then, his collaborations—including a 2022 album with Frazer Ray — have seen him push further into dynamic, high-energy territory.

It might not get you going like other artists, but his set should be one to savour and soak in.

Catch O'Flynn on Sunday March 2nd at The Palms.

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If you're like us, your first introduction to Klangphonics might have been through YouTube. This unique trio carves out their own space in electronic music, blending live performance with melodic techno. While many live techno acts rely on drum machines, sequencers, and analogue gear, Klangphonics take it further — integrating traditional instruments like guitar, bass, and drums into their setup. The result? A fresh and dynamic approach to live electronic music.

Hailing from Germany, Klangphonics started as a studio project but quickly found their sound belonged in front of a crowd. Their live sets blend crisp percussion, rolling basslines, and shimmering melodies —all performed live in the moment. No two performances are ever quite the same, with improvisation and instinct playing equally significant roles.

If you're a fan of four to the floor but played undoubtedly live, Klangphonics are for you.

Catch Klangphonics on Sunday March 2nd, at Ocean View.

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