This year’s Portola Festival delivered an unforgettable experience for music enthusiasts amid a few crowd challenges in San Francisco.
Marking its third-year return to the Bay Area, the Portola Festival faced high expectations. With an astounding lineup featuring globally acclaimed artists like Justice, Disclosure, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Four Tet, Sara Landry, and Honey Dijon, it’s easy to understand why so many attendees gathered at San Francisco’s Pier 80 for this musical weekend.
The atmosphere on day one was electric, as many guests opted for public transport, making it simple to connect with fellow festival attendees in their creative outfits. Entry was smooth and efficient, surprisingly without thorough bag searches or pat downs, allowing festival-goers to dive straight into the experience. Inside, the good vibes continued with an array of food vendors, VIP areas, photo opportunities, and a merch booth offering festival merchandise.
The first day kicked off with the talented Nala, who set the perfect tone with her latest track, “Spiritual Psychosis,” igniting a dance frenzy across the Warehouse. The day was filled with exploration as I meandered from stage to stage, driven by an eclectic mix of music—this spontaneous approach has become my new favorite way to experience festivals.
Day one was a whirlwind of firsts, with non-stop dancing and cherished memories from acts like Jamie xx and RÜFÜS DU SOL.
As we continued with Nia Archives in the Ship Tent, the energy in the crowd was inspiring, given her remarkable progress over the past year. Following this, we rushed over to the Pier stage to catch Jamie xx, where fans gathered quickly to vibe to tunes from the In Waves album amidst the anticipation of the upcoming tour. However, we were keenly aware of the sound stage’s design, which obscured views for many attendees.
Before diving into Bicep Present CHROMA at the Warehouse, we explored last year’s hidden speakeasy, now transformed into a Daft Punk-themed robot bar. While we appreciated the creativity, the small size and minimal decor left us wanting a more immersive experience for next year.
The first night concluded with a thrilling split set featuring RÜFÜS DU SOL and Gesaffelstein.
Reliving the nostalgia of 2016, hearing “Innerbloom” live was magical, as the trio played tracks from their new Inhale / Exhale album. In contrast, Gesaffelstein’s set enveloped the stage in darkness, enhanced by stunning visuals and a captivating presence that kept everyone entranced. This first encounter solidified my desire to see him live again in future performances.
Day two saw larger crowds, differing concert etiquette, and a generational clash.
Like day one, the second day was packed with split sets and stage-hopping to soak in Portola’s musical offerings. We kicked off with DJ Heartstring in the Warehouse, revving up for an electrifying session with Boys Noize b2b VTSS later. We also enjoyed a lively set from horsegiirL at the Ship Tent before hitting the dance floor with ShyGirl for her Club Shy experience.
For the evening highlight, we found a spot for Justice at the Pier Stage. While the performance met our expectations, the crowd encountered challenges with rudeness and aggression. Pushing and shoving marred what could have been a magical experience, particularly among older festival-goers who seemed to take more liberties.
Leaving the festival that night proved chaotic, with blocked streets leading many towards overcrowded train stations where attendees had to wait for multiple trains. Rideshare options didn’t fare better, as self-driving Waymo cars malfunctioned down the street, creating traffic havoc.
Despite the crowd issues during Justice’s performance and logistical difficulties exiting the venue, Portola Festival remains highly regarded.
From the strategic entry to the Warehouse stage to the addition of art installations and ASL interpreters, it’s clear Goldenvoice is listening and striving to enhance the festival experience. Every new venture comes with its challenges, yet the overall musical journey of Portola outweighs the drawbacks. With hopes for continuous improvement, we look forward to what next year holds for attendees.
