In a time where huge festival line ups and big room events are dominating the scene in California, Halcyon SF has long been keeping it real while bringing world-class headliners to an intimate setting. Turning three this year, the venue has brought over 500 international artists to San Francisco since its doors opened and is famously run by a collective of female bosses who are breaking the traditional paradigm. To celebrate all this, five very special anniversary events are planned from October 26th and November 2nd with Anna, Len Faki, J. Philip, Jody Wisternoff x Dolby Atmos and Charlotte de Witte all playing.
“We’re delighted to be 3 years young” said JoJo Walker, the club’s esteemed Creative Director; Event & Artist Manager. “we’re a passionate team who are proud to curate music events in San Francisco, bringing world-class artists, event production and an unforgettable experience to the dance-floor week in and out. We can’t wait for the next 3 years and beyond”!
The powerful all-female team behind this much-loved club finds Gina Milano, JoJo Walker and Rhia Shumway lead the pack with their hands-on approach, infectious energies, collective drive for perfection and by having an all-important “everyone’s equal” approach. They often join clubbers on the dance-floor from opening until closing and bring the headliners on the floor with them – that intimate, friendly and family atmosphere is what defines this essential space.
You can expect more of the same at these special birthday parties, the first of which is on October 25th with Brazilian star and Drumcode associate ANNA, then Berghain regular and long-time techno innovator Len Faki rolls in on the 26th. The 31st is a bumpy house masterclass from J. Philip, the DirtyBird artist who has made her global mark, then UK veteran and Anjunadeep man Jody Wisternoff plays a party x Dolby Atmos on November 1st before Belgium’s leading lady and KNTXT boss Charlotte de Witte brings her dark, hypnotic sounds on the 2nd.
You really never know what might happen late at night at any club, but Halcyon, in particular, has a tendency for special visitors. The family vibes stay strong as DJs playing other events in the city often head over to simply hang out and dance, or even jump on the decks. This year Harvard Bass and Mele have both done impromptu sets, plus Nicole Moudaber, MK, Will Clarke, DJ Dan, Jonas Rathsman, Sharam and Cizsak have all been seen enjoying themselves on the dance-floor.
Halcyon regulars recently showed the biggest form of commitment as they started showing up at the club with the Halcyon logo tattooed on various parts of their bodies. Others soon expressed interest so the club made a party of it at a local tattoo shop and invited mega-fans to get the brand imprinted on them for 1 day only. This resulted in 44 die-hard fans being branded and allowed free admission to the club for life. The group have since become fast friends and regularly meet up at the club and wider music festivals together.
“Community is such a huge part of dance music and this was a true expression of our Halcyon family embracing the brand and what it means to them, both individually and as a group. Such a proud moment to be validated in such a way by the clubs fans”, said Gina Milano, San Francisco doyenne and owner of the venue.
The real trendsetters in the California scene, Halcyon is willing to take risks and bring new talent to the west coast like never before. Fresh artists of late include Deborah de Luca, Michael Bibi, Andreas Henneberg, Sacha Robotti, Enrico Sangiuliano, Dennis Cruz, Sam Divine, Amelie Lens, Bontan, Rebuke, Eli Brown, i_o, Kyle Watson and many, many more. The venue gives clubbers the chance to get up close and personal to artists you would usually only ever see at a festival. Recent giants include Black Coffee, Nina Kraviz, Richie Hawtin, Charlotte De Witte, Amelie Lens and Boris Brejcha. Plus brand partnerships with Defected, Boiler Room and Dolby Atmos, which all have regular sold-out shows in the room.
The environment is on everyone’s mind in 2019 including Halcyon. After seeing the water bottles piled up night after night, the team decided to action a change; designing their own recyclable paperboard water box for the club.
The venue also values the SF community greatly, regularly running competitions for new artists to open up the club and ensuring the space allows room for locals to play. They recently partnered with Dirtybird Camp “Take Me To Tequila” which hosts a bi-monthly Saturday day party with the best local artists playing the room. Headroom SF also hosts a regular FREE pre-opening party for club nights where local producers submit their music and the winners are chosen to showcase their tracks at the club. Add in an online store selling merchandise, first forays into boat parties plus other exciting off-site parties for 2020 and you have a club that is very much on top of the world.
Celebrate Halcyon’s 3rd anniversary and attend one of the 5 celebratory shows:
October 25 ANNA
October 26 LEN FAKI
October 31 J. Philip
November 1 Jody Wisternoff x Dolby Atmos
November 2 Charlotte de Witte
“We have some special production surprises in store for the next 5 shows”, said Gina Milano. “Come play with us!”
All tickets on sale now
www.halcyon-sf.com