SF’s next big free rave is at Embarcadero Plaza
Belgian-born DJ Sacha Robotti will headline, with additional acts by Deron Delgado and Moody Jones. It’s a beautiful time to be in San Francisco.
By Saul Sugarman
Raving in broad daylight? It’s a vibe.
San Francisco feels thirsty for street parties lately, like last month’s massive party in Civic Center with Skrillex and Fred Again. With a crowd of 25,000, it was like Outside Lands crashed downtown SF but without the expensive tickets.
The opportunity to party comes again this Sunday, this time on the Embarcadero and in the daylight. Starting at 2 p.m., this free rave promises electronic beats by Sacha Robotti, a Belgian-born DJ based in Los Angeles who has performed at major festivals like Burning Man, Coachella, and Lightning in a Bottle. Robotti’s eclectic sound and infectious energy are sure to set the perfect tone for this waterfront party.
The event, dubbed “Back to Baysics,” will also feature a back-to-back set by Deron Delgado and Moody Jones, Mz Worthy, and Smalltown DJs. In keeping with the spirit of Dirtybird Records, expect carnival-style fun with lawn games and face painters. Organizers are aiming for a crowd of 2,000 to 5,000, making it a more intimate experience compared to the Civic Center rave.
Personally though I wouldn’t be surprised if the event got bigger than that. The Bold Italic often buzzes with social media doomsayers who talk about how dead it is in San Francisco. But I repeatedly see massive parties and street events; people joyously getting the most out of our city and also going wild. From Bay to Breakers and First Thursdays, to Pink Saturday, 420 and Hunky Jesus, we’re having fun in SF nowadays.
So dance like nobody’s watching, enjoy the food and drinks, and maybe even get a little wrecked in the best possible way. Just don’t forget your sunscreen — it’s a daytime rave, after all.
More event details for Sunday’s party.
Saul Sugarman is editor in chief of The Bold Italic.
The Bold Italic publishes first-person stories on topics that are on the brains and lips of San Franciscans. We’re a hub for conversations to be heard and discussed, and we celebrate all that’s great about living in San Francisco and the Bay Area. We hope our continuing conversation will get you thinking, talking, and inspiring you to share your opinions with us on living in San Francisco.
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What we’re doing this week
Suds Francisco Beer & Music Festival
Barebottle Brewing Co., renowned for its family-friendly Bernal Heights taproom, is leveraging its reputation to host a unique family-friendly beer festival this summer at Salesforce Park.
Dubbed Suds Francisco, the event will take place on Saturday, July 20, at the park atop Salesforce Transit Center. Inspired by the SF Beer Week kickoff event that Barebottle co-hosted in February 2023 (Barebottle operates a beer garden in the park), Suds Francisco will showcase 25 breweries offering tastings, live music, and fun activities for kids, including bounce houses and face painting.
WHEN: Today, July 20th 12pm to 5pm
WHERE: Salesforce Park, 425 Mission St, San Francisco, CA
Blankets and Wine comedy
If you’re not going to Sunday’s rave., comedians plan to give us free laughs—hopefully—in Golden Gate Park. The event literally says bring your own blanket and booze, and have fun. Let’s do that.
WHERE: Golden Gate Polo Fields
WHEN: July 21, 2024 at 4 p.m. and Sundays ongoing through December.