5 artists who left their mark on CRSSD 2020 [Festival Review]

CRSSD 2020 has come and gone, but what a year it was. In an incredible lineup that featured the likes of Gesaffelstein, Nora En Pure, Chris Lake, and Patrick Topping, among many others, there was a litany of artists who descended on the fest's utopian, sun-drenched San Diego grounds and left their mark with downright sublime performances. Here are five standout sets from CRSSD's triumphant 2020 iteration.

1. Carl Cox

Credit: Quinn Tucker

CRSSD's reputation for booking only the best in house music (among other genres, of course) was manifested perfectly in its decision to bring on British house legend Carl Cox, who played a rip-roaring set on the City Steps stage. Cox has the astounding ability to seamlessly mix tunes from heavy-hitters like Joseph Capriati ("Goa") with hidden gems you wouldn't necessarily expect to hear (Alan Fitzpatrick's remix of Skream's "Poison"). Cox's performance was streamed live via Beatport Live, who posted the full set here.

2. Justin Jay

Credit: Miranda McDonald

Justin Jay closed out the Palms stage on CRSSD's final day, and did it with exactly the joie de vivre you would expect from the LA-based wunderkind. The versatile Jay, who has been playing both live band shows and DJ sets on his recent tour, ripped an eclectic house set that served as a fitting send-off for CRSSD's revelers.

3. Ben Böhmer

Credit: Felicia Garcia

With the fronds of Waterfront Park's palm trees rustling in its idyllic backdrop, German super-producer Ben Böhmer threw down a hair-raising late afternoon house set under the sun. Gracing the City Steps stage, Böhmer dropped a slew of his own beautiful Anjunadeep tracks and did not disappoint.

4. Charlotte de Witte

Credit: Felicia Garcia

Perhaps the winner of the weekend was Charlotte de Witte. Her forward-thinking sound, which is highlighted by a unique amalgamation of dark, thumping bass and acid house, was on full display on the City Steps stage. Containing songs from fellow house mavens like Wehbba ("No Sleep") and a myriad of her own monster originals ("Selected"), de Witte's riveting set was also streamed on Beatport Live, which you can watch here.

5. RÜFÜS DU SOL

Credit: Kirby Gladstein

What would this list be without RÜFÜS DU SOL? The Australian three-piece closed out the Ocean View stage on Day 2 with a set that was nothing short of breathtaking.