Just happy to get to do an in person party for the Opel 19 Year Anniversary in the waning days of this f'ing pandemic, we celebrated on a beautiful Spring day into night on the street at Midway.  With long time friends Gabriel & Dresden headlining, and with the excuse of anniversary indulgence, I played much more melodic and trancey than my usual sets, complete with indulgent emo vocals and build ups.  As you'll see in the track listing though, I also played some fav's in the melodic house and techno veins to keep some sense of restraint.  With permission, a G&D classic towards the end. : )

Hope you enjoy!

1. You've Done Enough : Gorgon City
2. Sonder : Sentimentø 
3. Rise : Hot Since 82
4. Invulnerable : Henri (BR) 
5. Nu World : Maceo Plex
6. Be: Max Zotti & DJ Jurij 
7. Roped In : Gorgon City 
8. Lose Your Head : Camelphat 
9. Run : Steny	Run 
10. The Arrival : Henri (BR) 
11. Saracens : Passenger 10 
12. All My Friends : Mike Candys 
13. Torn : Matt Fox
14. Made to Fade : Audax 
15. Happinezz feat. Ginger : Ginger, Boris Brejcha	
16. Travelling On (Gabriel & Dresden Campfire Rmx) : Beber & Tamra
17. Thuringia : Passenger 10

Syd Gris - Live at Opel 19 Year Anniversary

It was one of those crackling Friday nights at Opulent Temple and I had all the tracks to cover the ground I wanted to share.  Pink Floyd sample opens it to ask you 'Is There Anybody Out There?" that gives way to my own 'Who Are You?" track I did with Boomrock Saints, and then a proper stomp through some filthy electro, breaks re-rubs, intense tech funk and techno, an Unkle classic thrown in for good measure, and a feel good ending ala' Vandal.  It's a playa set !

'A Burning Set' - Live at Opulent Temple 2010

As we all know, the official 2021 Burn didn't happen.  Nor did I head out to the Rogue Burn.  But musically I was ready!  And I still had to put together what would have been the kind of set I would have played if I stepped into the O Pod (Opulent Temple's DJ booth) on a Wednesday night ready to rock a crowd and play with flame throwers. 

So accept this substitute for the dance floor experience this set tried to capture, with a range of house to take the playa tinged journey.  Hope you enjoy.

Track Listing: (Please support these artists!)

1. Get This Party Started : Westend
2. What is House : Dog n Hoss
3. Disco Stepper : Crazibiza, House of Prayers
4. On my Way : Skogsberg & Akgogan
5. Shaolin Dreams : Michael Bibi
6. Acrobatic : SIDEPIECE
7. Drinkee (Vintage Culture & John Summit remix) : Sofi Tukker
8. Miniskirt : Croatia Squad
9. Just Feels Tight : Fisher
10. Crowdrocker : Croatia Squad
11. No Good : Geluk
12. She's the One : Antonio Giacca
13. Soundcheck : Marvin Sykes
14. Never Let Me Down (Testpress remix) : Gorgon City, Haley May
15. Free : Roland Clark, Vintage Culture
16. Power : Solardo
17. Blinding Lights (Joris Voorn Remix) : Alex Kennon
18. April : Yousef, Camelphat
19. Aquatic : Nora en Pure

2021 Set for the Burn That Wasn't

After a 2 year wait, my favorite SF party to produce and play music at was back in it's full and lovely glory.  Tangible magic vibes, beautiful crowd,  and a sonic church like atmosphere. With Whirling dervishes  spinning behind me, I played this set of uplifting house, with some heady and gritty goodness sprinkled in.  Hope it takes you back. 

Tracks: 
1. Alive : PAX & Gorgon City
2. Cold Heart (Claptone Extended Mix) : Dua Lipa, Elton John
3. Feeling : Jack Black
4. About You : Sonny Fodera, Biscuits
5. 19909 (Sonny Wharton Remix) : D-Nox, Beckers
6. Is it You : PAX
7. It's a Killa : Shermanology, FISHER (OZ)
8. Hey Hey (Dirtyhertz mashup) : Dennis Ferrer
9. Pump the Noise : Block & Crown, Lissat
10. Dionysus : Local Dialect
11. Gotta Be Big : Disfreq
12. Running feat. Meg Myers : Anyma (ofc)
13. Kreatur der Nacht feat. Isolation Berlin (Maceo Plex Remix) : Solomun, Isolation Berlin
14. Don't Forget My Love (John Summit Remix) : Diplo, Miguel
15. Drown (Massano Remix) : Juan Hansen, Øostil

Live @ Opulent Temple's Sacred Dance 'White Party' 2022

Was so excited to get the chance to rock the main room at Public Works for the Airpusher Collective annual Steampunk Masquerade on 7/16/22.  Prime time action to make you move.  It's dance floor music, live as it happened.  Hope you enjoy.

Track Listings:
1. Thick Of It : Clover Ray, Sam Dexter, Mallin
2. Red & Blue : Josh Green Red & Blue
3. My Type (Extended Mix) : Discopill
4. The Beat Goes : Croatia Squad
5. OoooH : CID, Will K
6. Westcoaster (AC Slater Remix) : Phlegmatic Dogs
7. The Club Is Jumpin : ALOK
8. In Da Getto (Chris Lorenzo Remix) : Skrillex, J Balvin
9. Big Bass : Stashion & Den Pushkin
10. Whoop (Gene Farris Remix) : Gene Farris, Sacha Robotti, Ice Creams
11. Baby Dance : Harland Kasten
12. About Damn Time (Kue's Star Mountain Remix) : Lizzo 
13. Trippin' on Acid : Me & My Toothbrush
14. Tell 'Em : On Deck, Skemaddox feat. DOMii
15. Where's Your Head At (Martin Ikin Remix) : Basement Jaxx
16. By Your Side (Dom Dolla Remix) : Calvin Harris, Dom Dolla
17. World Hold On feat. Steve Edwards_(Fisher Rework, Extended Mix) : Bob Sinclar
18. All day we play (original mix) : Callback Funk & Moby

Live at Steampunk Masquerade 7/16/22

Live at Opulent Temple, Wednesday Night - Burning Man 2022 - Sacred Dance ('the white party')

It's our flagship event we've done on playa since the first OT in 2003. It's the night that most encapsulates our Vision and intentions to be a mass joy generator. I picked this slot, going on before Carl Cox, to have the latitude of the early start to start deep and ramp up the energy, before bringing it down a bit for Carl to take over. That means restraint and flow, with emotion moments getting pulled back into groove and steady beauty.

As always, it was a magic night and I thank you if you were there dancing with us!

Track Listings:
1. The Children (Unreleased Rmx) : Robert Miles
2. Phobia : Jomtec
3. Aerial Space : DJ Leandro
4. I Don't Wanna Leave (Innellea Remix) : Rufus du Sol
5. 'Unreleased Track' : Sono Leopardi
6. 'Unreleased Track' : Gorgon City
7. Macao (Calussa Extended Remix) : Pato's Groove
8. No Me Importa : Francis Mercier
9. Cold Heart (Claptone Extended Mix) : Dua Lip, Elton John
10. Eastern Roll : Del 30
11. Feeling : Jack Black
12. Lose Control feat. Guilty Empress : OFFAIAH, Guilty Empress
13. Running feat. Meg Myers : Anyma ofc
14. Insomnia 2021 : Faithless, Maceo Plex
15. By Your Side (Dom Dolla Remix) : Dom Dolla, Calvin Harris
16. 'Unreleased Track' : Gorgon City

Syd Gris, Live at Opulent Temple, Burning Man 2022 - Sacred Dance

Prime time vibez in Dallas at this great Burning Man camp fundraiser for my friends at Sonic Soul Tribe.  I played all the hits in this high energy offering, hope it makes you move! 

Track listing: (Please support these artists!)

1. Other Side: Azzecca
2. Our Work Is Never Over : Velourian
3. The Beat Goes : On Chapter & Verse
4. Sidewindah : Gorgon City, (feat. Flirta D)
5. Yeah The Girls (feat. MERYLL): FISHER (OZ)
6. Not About You : Walker & Royce, Nala
7. Street L : Croatia Squad 
8. The Groov : illusionize, DUAL CHANNELS
9. Party Diva : Deeper Purpose
10. Goodies : Dillon Hart Francis
11. Techno Party : Tujamo, VINNE, Murotani
12. New Gold (feat. Tame Impala and Bootie Brown) : Gorillaz (Dom Dolla Remix)
13. Lipstick feat. Robbie Rise : BLR, Robbie Rise
14. Boom Boom feat. CHRSTPHR : Matt Sassari, CHRSTPHR
15. Stutter : Notelle, Jansons
16. Resist : Max Styler
17. Show Me feat. Hannah Boleyn : John Summit, Hannah Boleyn
18. Don't Be Afraid : Diplo, Damian Lazarus, Jungle (DJ Tennis & Carlita Remix)
19. Escape (John Summit Remix) feat. Hayla : Kaskade & Deadmau

Syd Gris - Live in Dallas 12/10/22 with Sonic Soul Tribe

Opening for Nora en Pure at a sold out show at Midway is a very specific mission.  Keep the steady deeper side house vibez going without hot dogging it, and keep it interesting for a packed big room.  I started and ended keeping it fairly dreamy and pretty, but played with all kinds of subtle interesting tracks in the middle.  These deeper sets have better re-listen value than the prime time movers, so I hope you enjoy.  Make sure and catch the brilliant new and unreleased track by the Scumfrog at the end.  Nora's tour manager made me fade out my last track before it was done but added the rest for posterity and because it's f'ing brilliant.  Let me know what you think. 

Track Listing

1. Alioth : Qoobwave
2. Sirius: Qoobwave	
3. Late Night Thoughts : Innessa Kuz & Marksman	
4. Saviour : Illarion		
5. Miles : Oscar Barila			
6. DiMO : Sono Leopardi
7. Die a Little Bit [feat. Ms Banks]	: Tinashe & ZHU	
8. Other Side : Azzecca			
9. Masuda : Morgi		
10. Tra Tra : BLOND:ISH
11. Lil Mama (Golf Clap Remix) : 	ZHU		
12. Tomorrows (Kyle Watson Remix) : Crooked Colours		
12. You Got Me (Me & My Toothbrush Remix) : 	Robert Burian	
13. Moving All Around (Jumpin) (John Summit Remix) : Schak ft. Kim English 
14. Hierbas : Gorgon City 			
15. Alone feat. FEMME : Cristoph			
16. Bohemia : Township Rebellion, Victor Pilava		
17. Freedom (Mass Digital Remix) : Che Jose feat. Jodie Knight	
18. Bridge : Illarion	Sentinel	
19. Blue Valley : Deltium	
20. Sunset : Asrem	Sunset	
21. Watata : Kris Castellucci, Pando & Lopez	
22. Velourian & Nisene - In My Life
23. Nomad Dreams  : Soul Engineers
24. 50th Gig : The Scumfrog

Syd Gris - Live at Midway 2/25/23 (Opening For Nora En Pure)

Live from 2/25/23 set opening for Oakey on the patio.

Oakenfold was my gateway DJ to dance music, and is a legend and a gentlemen.  Gives me a great opportunity to play differently than my normal sets to go way more energetic and melodic progressive house (aka 'melodic house and techno') and trancey. I used to regularly direct open for Tiesto, Armin, Ferry and others and still love this music,int he right moment, which this was.  : )

Let me know what you think.

Syd Gris - Live on Midway Patio (Oakenfold Opener)

It's the party of the year for me to produce and play at, in the magic co-created vibez of the Regency Ballroom surrounded by a certain kind of throbbing energy and beauty. 

It's a set for that moment, swinging between groove, beauty, grit and fun, which may or may not translate to a post-party listening experience.  You'll have to let me know.  ;-).  

....I also left in the annual pre-set 'why are we here' speech for context. 

Track Listing:

1. 50th Gig (Pink Floyd Rmx) : The Scumfrog
2. Batshit : Sofi Tukker
3. Georgia : LP Giobbi
4. Nightlight : Rafäl
5. Voodoo : Gorgon City
6. Cocoon (Martin Garrix & Space Ducks Remix) : Martin Garrix, 070 Shake, Space Ducks
7. Magalenha : Joshwa
8. Lemme See You : AMPRS&ND
9. Be My Freak : On Deck, Skemaddox 
10. Superlicious, Sosa UK
11. Rhyme Dust : MK, Dom Dolla
12. Gimme that Bounce : Mau P
13. Soul Connection : Silver Panda
14. Eternity : Chris Avantgarde, Anyma (ofc)
15. Turn out the Lights : Future, Swedish House Mafia, Fred again
16. Tina : Vintage Culture
17. Where You Are : John Summit, Hayla

Live at Opulent Temple; 'Sacred Dance', San Francisco, 4/1/2023

It was pretty magic. Full moon Wednesday, on a perfect night. Opening drone show with a white rabbit.  10-11 Opening for Carl Cox. Moments you co-create to make it all worth it.  Live how it happened. 

Track list - 

1. White Rabbit (Kaz James & Nick Morgan Extended Remix) : Jefferson Airplane
2. Bohemia :  Township Rebellion, Victor Pilava
3. Levitate : Icarus, GotSome, Arielle Free
4. Surge (PROFF & Igor Garanin Extended Mix) : Above & Beyond
5. The Crystal Eater : Christian T
6. Oscillator : DJ Glen, illusionize
7. I Love You Always Forever (Nora's Version) : Nora En Pure, Donna Lewis
8. I Need You (Adriatique Extended Remix) : Elderbrook
9. Love Me : Hot Since 82
10. I Remember (John Summit Remix) : Kaskade, deadmau5
11. Rise Of The 2nd Sun : Stereo Express
12. Turn Off The Heat : Vakabular, Red Machine
13. Afterglow (Simon Shackleton' s Golden Hour Remix) : Simon Shackleton

Special nod of thanks to Playground for hosting OT again on one of our 'off years' . Big love.

Some subtle clipping on the mixes, that was the recording. Decided to share as is. 

Hope you enjoy.

Live @ Burning Man '23 -  Opulent Temple's Sacred Dance 'White Party' @ Playground

An awesome Monday night at Sonic Soul Tribe on the 2:00 corner riding their excellent camp production and sound system.  Rocking some tech house and tads of progressive playa worthy tracks. It's prime time Syd Vibez, hope you enjoy. 

Track Listing - 

1. Lo Que Soy : Wax Motif, KURA			
2. Express Yourself (Mochakk Remix) : Diplo, Nicky Da B			
3. Uh La La (Guz Extended Remix) : Mila Falls, Volac, Trace (UZ)		
4. Eat Your Man (with Nelly Furtado) Nelly Furtado, Dom Dolla  		
5. Frikitona : Andruss			
6. Get Real High : MARTEN HØRGER, Shift K3Y
7. From the Hood (DJ Denise Remix) ; SUPRIMO 
8. Turn Off The Heat : Vakabular, Red Machine		
9. Blinding Lights_(Joris Voorn Remix) : Alex Kennon
9. Skipping Like a Stone (Alex Amaro Edit) : Chemical Brothers & Beck	
10. XTC : Odd Mob		
11. Take It Off : FISHER (OZ), Aatig		
12. Pump : Chris Lorenzo		
13. SUPRIMO - From the Hood (NOINWV, ROWDI Holloway Remix)
14. Raw Cut : Prok & Fitch		
15. Atmosphere : Kita Alexander, FISHER (OZ)

Live at Burning Man '23 - Sonic Soul Tribe Monday Night

This was year number 12 for Opulent Temple.  Through the years of helping organize OT, it's still a major motivator to have that defining playa music moment.  This year it was Wednesday night at our annual Sacred Dance party.  Of course I wanted to play to the moment, of music that I was passionate about while being conscious to set up Rob Garza from Thievery properly, who was on after me.  That endeavor ended up with this set, which I think is a stand out of my BM sets for it's range of music and emotion.  Never wanting to be pigeonholed and mostly having a disregard for if a tune was old or new, I ended up with a couple classic Alex Metric tunes, some Elite Force revamps that had 'playa tune' written all over them, some unreleased tracks from Lot 49 and Lee Coombs, some bassline techno and moving into the nudisco ala' Croatia Squad, etc I've been playing the shit out of lately cause it's music I love right now seemed a good note to leave it off for Rob Garza.

Hope you enjoy and it takes you back to some playa magic with a packed and beautiful crowd, jellyfish floating through the masses, an aerialist performing high on a forklift, dancers on the stage, and all the unique sights and feelings of OT in top form in the desert.

1. Floating : Jape (Alex Metric Remix)
2. Heat It Up : Elite Force Revamp
3. Venusia :  Electric Soulside (Anarchy Rice Remix) 
4. 7 Hours After : Ed Steel (Lee Coombs and Kostas G  Remix)
5. The Hostage : Chevy One & Hanon 
6. 9th Revolution : Chevy One 
7. Caller : Alex Metric
8. Reel Kraken Revolution : Elite Force & Friends 
9. Black Video Noise Game : Elite Force Revamp
10. Monologue : Future Funk Squad (Lee Coombs & Kostas G Remix)
11. The Hostage : Chevy One & Hanon  (Meat Katie Remix) 
12. Deadbeat : Meat Katie re-edit
13. The Hostage : Chevy One & Hanon (Ben Coda Remix)
14. Toca pop : Meat Katie Remix
15. Pop Yer Pussy : Croatia Squad
16. Taking Over - Calippo
17.  Groovejet : Lissat & Voltaxx, Marc Fisher (Andrey Exx & Fomichev Remix)
18.  Fair Enough : Me & My Toothbrush 


Live @ Opulent Temple, Wednesday night, Burning Man 2014

To kick off another year in quality fun creation, Opel had DJ Dan and Stanton Warriors on the bill together at Great Northern.  I opened the night with a range of house I wanted to hear and I thought would kick start a dance floor.  Some tracks I just got and was test driving, some indulgent remixes, and some tracks from friends.

 It worked.  : ) 

Check it - 

Track Listing:
1. Fly : Namito, ARMEI				
2. Sanga Dance : Roy Rosenfeld			
3. Check It Out : James Haskell			
4. In The Midnight Hour feat. Dajae : Dajae, Riva Starr		
5. Celebrate the Night	 : Me & My Toothbrush				
6. On My Way (feat. Faouzia) : Faouzia, SIDEPIECE				
7. Soundboy : San Pacho			
8. Paralyzed By Your Eyes : San Pacho			
9. Bad Guy : Gorge, Markus Homm		
10. All Over My Body (feat. Superchumbo) : Superchumbo, Ben Sterling  			
11. Tom's Diner : Kevin McKay			
12. Mini Skirt : Will K, Shift K3Y			
13. You Get Me Ready : Madison Orange 
14. Better Recognize : Wax Motif, ZHU		
15. 1, 2 Step (Supersonic) : Lee Foss, SIDEPIECE			
16. La Vida : DiscoPill- 			
17. Superstylin (Riva Starr Edit) : Groove Armada			
18. Rock The Casbah : Vintage Culture 			
19. THG (Tech House Girlfriend) : Alex Amaro feat. Emma K	
20. Needle On The Record : Riordan			
21. No Sleep : AMPRS&ND				
22. Speaker Cone Blow : Croatia Squad	
23. Low Rider : War (Kyle Watson Remix)		
24. Hierbas : Gorgon City
25. Sono Leopardi : DiMO (BG), Mr-K (BG)

Syd Gris - Live at Opel '24 Kickoff

For this prime time set at OT's annual sold out Sacred Dance 'white party' at the Bently Reserve, Drew Drop and I decided to do a rare tag set of tracks we've been digging in the indie/nu-disco vein and bassy deep house to fit the sexy groove ambiance of this event.  We went 2 a piece, we'll post track listing in the next few days.  Hope you enjoy!

Syd Gris & Drew Drop tag set: Live at Sacred Dance, April 3rd, 2015

Opulent Temple's  13th Annual Sacred Dance 'white party' was mobile this year, since we decided to take a break from doing a sound camp.  We teamed up with the Bounce crew from Santa Cruz and a bunch of other participating art cars for an open playa party near the Flaming Lotus Girls' Serpent Mother.  I had planned this set musically in 2 distinct 45 minute sets as we were supposed to move to a different spot half way through, and I knew the dance floor would have to reset when we stopped again.  We ended up being so packed in with people and bikes that moving was unpractical and unsafe so there we stayed all night.

As they should be, this playa set is a quintessential musical representation of my taste range of the moment.  Starting with super dance floor friendly, sexy groovy ghetto nu-disco, then getting heady mid way, to transition into some proper bassline techno and tech funk break beat, and back into some slowed down feel good closers to set up the hand off to OT resident Grammar who was on after me.   With Carl Cox and then Diplo joining the other OT residents, it was a magical night, just as we hoped it would be.   Pics from the night from IR Deep here: https://irdeep.smugmug.com/BM2015/Opulent-Temple-1/

Cover pic by Josh Adler 

Track Listing:

1.  Shake That Ass : Earstrip & Torha
2.  Once Upon a Time: Frey
3.  Drive Back Baby :  Platinum Dog
4.  Crazy over You : Earstrip & Torha
5.  Brown Sugar : Platinum Dog (Croatia Squad Rmx)
6.  Street Blaster : Calippo
7.  Do It Like This : Platinum Dog
8.  Play with Men - Platimun Dog
9.  Grind Me Down : Earstrip & Torha
10. Whatever You Want to Be : Sons of Maria
11. Control : Alex Stein, K.A.L.I.L. (Victor Ruiz remix)
12. Believe in me : Meat Katie & Dopamine (Ben Coda Rmx)
13. Pulse : Ben Coda
14. True Story : Yreanne (Ben Coda Remix)
15. True Story : Yreanne (original)
16. Breaks Is Dead : Dopamine  
17. Pulse : Ben Coda (Chevy One Rmx)
18. True Story : Yreanne (Beat Tempest Rmx)
19. Kinetik : Ben Coda 
20. My Love : Moonbootica, Mason
21. Hit & Run : Calippo
22. Somebody Everybody feat. Black Box : Black Box, Hot SInce 82
23. Man of the Year : Thee Cool Cats



Live @ OT w the Bounce Crew. Wednesday, Burning Man 2015

This set is from BM '14, which used to live on Soundcloud on the Distrikt page which they've moved over to Mix Cloud.  So re-posting here for posterity.

Always stoked and honored to play with my friends and homies at Distrikt.  I wanted to keep it groovy and playful with a lot of indi-nu disco and bassy house.  Hope you enjoy!

01.  Los Suruba - Spanish Pantalones (Hot Since 82 rmx)
02.  Kyrill & Redford - Dadance 
03. Nora En Pure - True 
04. Croatia Squad - What Can you Do 
05. The Beatangers / Led Zepplin What's that Lemon Sound?  (Syd Gris/Camacho Mash) 
06.  The Beatangers -  I Don't Give a Fuck 
07.  Lissat & Voltaxx, Marc FisherAndrey Exx, Fomichev - Groovejet (Andrey Exx & Fomichev Remix)  
08. KlangKuenstler - Hand in Hand 
09. Croatia Squad - Pop Your Pussy 
10   Andrew Plati, Sugar Hill - Keep me High (Me & My Toothbrush Remix) 
11. Callipo - Need a Friend 
12. Nora En Pure - You Are My Pride (Croatia Squad remix) 
13. Croatia Squad, Sons of Maria - Freakin' Funky 
14. Callipo - Looking for Meaning (Croatia Squad remix)  

Syd Gris - Live At Distrikt 2014

It was another hot and sultry evening on the Upper Floor as lovers and dancers got down under the lights and haze for groovy, sexy, fun music and lots of eye candy.  This set is un-edited from how it went down so is imperfect but was put together in fun so not getting too serious about it.  I don't mix with a sync button and in the midst of proper chaos around the booth imperfections happen.  Crammed lots of tracks in I wanted to hear, hope you enjoy.

Live from Deep Red Valentines 2016

Live At Opulent Temple, Wednesday night Burning Man 2016:  It was Opulent Temple's 14th annual Wednesday night Sacred Dance 'white party', thrown very specifically to be a conscious party and raise the frequency and intention of a night of music and dancing to 'wake up', and take the wakefulness out of the desert into the rest of life.  We did a nice opening ceremony to that effect I left off the release of this recording but if you were you there you know about our Om'ing and such.  : )

Playa sets at OT for me are all about covering a range of energy, emotion and sounds so it's never about one genre.  There's meant to be dirty grooves, smooth and playful sounds, fist pumping rhythms and heady and feel good and so on.  Hope it takes you back to the desert.  I seriously had tears in my eyes during the last song I was so happy and filled with emotion and appreciation. 

Track Listing:
1. Freak  : The Beatangers	
2. Dust n Smoke : Rod Fussy, Fatbass	
3. Naughty Girl (Kolombo Remix) : DJ Lora		
4. Whats Going On (Kolombo Remix) : Chocolate Ave
5. The D Machine (Vision Factory Remix) : Croatia Squad		
6. To the Top : OMR, Adry	
7. Fall in Love feat. Dayson : Alexander Orue, Henry D, Dayson	
8. Time : OMR		
9. Street Dance : Croatia Squad	
10. Serious Moods : Platinum Doug		
11. My Homies : Dubdogz	
12. Cream : Platinum Doug		
13. White Horse (OMR & Adry Remix) :  Croatia Squad & Frey
14. Rijeka : DanielPortman & Calippo	
15. Ghost Rider : Daniel Portman	
16. Seed Of The Future (Jossie Telch Remix) : Ben Coda		
17. 2nd To None (Adrian Hour Remix): UMEK	
18. Stranger Freaks (maxxed) : Freakazoids 
19. People On The High Line (Claptone Remix): New Order	
20. Natural Blues (Sander van Doorn Remix) : Moby	

Live @ OT Wednesday, 2016

Live at Opulent Temple, Wednesday night Burning Man 2016

For the 15th Annual Opulent Temple Wednesday night Sacred Dance event at Burning Man (aka, the 'white party'), we were lucky enough to be invited to host it at Playground since OT didn't produce our usual mega dance floor. 

It was a gorgeous night and their set up included a familiar fire in the round feel.   With the dance floor already packed and energy high I did not go for the slow beginning that ramps up but pretty much jumped right in to stompers with fun and power.   As a post playa listening experience these sets don't always translate since you can't match the electricity of the desert.  These playa sets for me are always intended to cover range and touch base with lots of places low and high, playful and deep inside you. 

So here it is live and raw, just like it happened that night.  Hope it takes you back.

Track Listing:

1. Get High, Live Life : Platinum Doug   
2. Bang (Me & My Toothbrush Remix) : Beth Yen feat. Boswell   
3. I Want :  SSAM & Ferrero   
4. BOOM : Tiesto, Sevenn
5. About U : Heiken & Dual Channels 
6. Get on the Floor : Dual Channels -
7. Notorious : Malaa
8. Bom Bom :  Federico Scavo  
9. Prepare for the Night : Croatia Squad   
10. Dance Baby :  Robmatic  
11. Ultra Swing (Luca Debonaire Omerta Remix) : Block & Crown & Kiki Doll   
12. Benham Creek : Daniel Portman  
13.  My Acid Soul (Vocal Mix) : Lee Coombs presents Phazon and Katherine Ellis
14. The Wickedest Sound : Riva Starr   
15. Clap (Beatamines Remix):  David Hasert, Francesco Mami
16. Conjure Floyd : Maceo Plex
17. Down The Line : Dopamine 
18. Ten10 (Re-Loved for 2016) : Simon Shackleton   
19. Una : Neverdogs, Sebastian Ledher

Syd Gris-Live at Opulent Temple Sacred Dance Burning Man 2017

Live recording from my set at Opulent Temple's annual 'Dust Off' at Public Works, Saturday, September 8th 2018.

Back Story: 
I played 3 sets at Burning Man this year. Monday opening night at OT on a bass house and future house vibe, Tuesday on the Sancturary Art Car with some heady techno and tech house, and Friday at OT with some new house and breaks. For this Dust Off set right after BM, I took my favorite tracks from those 3 sets for a 'best of' set opening for Stanton Warriors. As such, it covered some ground, which is just how I like it.

Feedback always appreciated.

Tracks
1. Simplon : Passenger 
2. Roots : Nora En Pure	
3. Lizard King  : CamelPhat	
4. Dopamine Machine : Ali Love, CamelPhat	
5. Shapes in Stonehenge : Grazze	
6. The Man with the White Violin : Fort Arkansas	
7. Exceeder : Umek (Mike Vale Remix)
8. The Solution : CamelPhat
9. Take It (Extended Mix) : Dom Dolla	
10. Fuego : Alok, Bhaskar	
11. La Junga : Leo Teran & Key D	
12. Live Young : Platinum Doug
13. Deep Dish It : Croatia Squad	
14. Pump Up The Volume (Extended Mix) : Mart & Under Sanctions	
15. Get Techy (It's About to Get a Real Dub Mix) : Platinum Doug	
16. Hollywood (FelgukÂ Remix) : Vintage Culture	
17. Elite Force : Mojosa (unreleased)
18. Elite Force : Jazo Ribello (unreleased)	
19. Elite Force : Kinetika (unreleased)
20. Elite Force : La Furioza (unreleased)

Downloads

Syd Gris : 'Best of Burning Man' (Live at Dust Off) - 2018

For self indulgent posterity's sake, adding this one to my playa set archives.   2008 was a peak period in OT's history.  It was our 4th year in a row on the 2:00 corner, it was the first year Carl Cox played for us and it was pre-mega Art Cars.  We ruled the roost, for a playa minute.  

So it was packed on a Saturday night, and I had the unique problem of going on after Adam Freeland when he was in his dirtier Justice/Alex Metric inspired phase, around the time of his awesome artist album 'Cope.'  I was really into dirty electro, heady breaks and Miles Dyson, Blende and the Lot 49 label tech funk sound.  But I also still had a foot in what I considered awesome progressive music.  After me was Josh Gabriel of Gabriel & Dresden after they had broken up, but before they got back together, and he was playing techno and progressive, so I felt I had to set him up accordingly.  Started one place after Adam, ended another very different place to set up Josh with some great progressive trancey stuff with no cheese, good playa shit!

From the Archives: Live at Opulent Temple, Burn Night 2008

(Yet More) From the Archives: Live at Opulent Temple, Tuesday Night 2008

In a fanciful quest to get a set (or 2) from every year at Burning Man I've played here on Soundcloud, here is more unearthed arcana.  This one though is not posting for the sake of posting.  When I look back at all these as a body of work, I consider this one of my best, most favorite sets of all time I've ever played there.

I've referred to this in other postings as a time when 'peak electro' met prime tech funk and break beat, when there was soooo much good music coming out with dirty grooves, indie vocals, and rolling techno inspired backbeat.  I just love every song as it moves through Miles Dyson, Lee Coombs, Justice, Alex Metric, Adam Freeland, Dylan Rhymes, Blende and more.   This is not shaman playa tech sleep house, this is dirty ass intense and distorted playa music that should be played loud.

Like many sets, it also starts with some spoken word.  An intro from myself, and long time friend and conscious moment collaborator at many of my sets, Shahid Buttar (currently running for Congress in SF to unseat Nancy Pelosi).

Check it out, tell me what you think.

Live at OT '08

From the Archives: Live at Opulent Temple, Tuesday Night 2008

For Opulent Temple's 2019 annual Wednesday night Sacred Dance party, we were hosted by our friends at Playground since we didn't have a sound camp this year.  I played 10-11 before Carl Cox.  So the goal was walking the fine line of being engaging & building energy but still being a proper "opening set" for Carl, and not hot dogging it.

2 songs (Sunshine & Peanut Butter), were by my friend and vocalist Ida Flo, who sang live up on stage next to me.  The night was pure magic, the energy gorgeous, the vibe palpable.  Hope this takes you back, let me know what you think!

Track Listing

1. Dizzy Rhythm (Mihai Popoviciu Remix) : Sous Sol 
2. Wicked : Dennis Cruz 
3. Repit : Cuartero 
4. Maia : Oliver Schories 
5. Music : Yulia Sam 
6. La Farsa : London Ground
7. Sunshine : Francesco Poggi, feat Ida Flo (K Mix)
8. Happinezz feat. Ginger : Ginger, Boris Brejcha 
9. Gravity feat. Laura Korinth : Boris Brejcha, Laura Korinth 
10. Remains of the Day : Hot Since 82 
11. Peanut Butter ; CASSIMM & PEZNT featuring Ida Flo
12. Heater (Tube & Berger Remix)	: Samim 
13. Days Go By (CamelPhat Extended Remix) :Dirty Vegas
14. Tilted : Hot Since 82

Live at Opulent Temple Sacred Dance ('white party') Burning Man 2019

From the Archives : @ OT Burning Man 2007 -Angst

To help complete my self indulgent notion to get a set or 2 from every year I've DJ'ed (and knew what I was doing) at BM, next up is this 2007 set from the night our bamboo project had failed at OT.  I was so f'ing tired, spent, sad and pissed.  Channeled it into this relentlessly dirty raucous set from Tuesday night at OT.  (more below)

Tracks
1. Maschine Der Nacht : Miles Dysons Non Vocal Remix
2. Do it Again  : Chemical Brothers (Oliver Huntemann Rmx)	3. Knight Moves: Lutzenkirchen
4. Pace : Meat Katie & Jono Fernandez
5. She Wants Me : Richard Dinsdale (Si McEvoy Remix)
6. (Title unknown) : Greg Churchill
7. Ironie : Blende Remix
8. Tricks : Rogue Element
9. Love your Man, Love your Woman : Rogue Element
10. Ghetto Club : Groove Man (Chris Bohn rmx)
11. No Rockstars - Hyper


What's the "bamboo disaster" as it's affectionately called?  Here's the long version of you want a deep dive.  We had two projects to choose from to add to the production that year. One was a bigger version of the Synergy Dome we erected in 2003, and the other was an elevated stage that Rich had designed that was supposed to be in the shape of a star, aka the 'Star Stage'. Feeling that we wanted to push ourselves hard this year, and take 2008 off from any projects, we decided to do both. Spoiler alert - bad idea.

The stage was conceived to be a great platform for a large group of performers, as it provides, in many ways, an ultimate performance venue because it sits 10 feet above the crowd. It would be largely self funded by Rich (taking loans from anyone that would help, parents included), with about 25% of the costs shared by the camp.  Out on the playa, due to a design snag, Rich decided to 'open' the stage and not enclose the 'star', though it was delayed getting up because of the problems with the Bamboo Synergy Dome..
The dome, this time made out of bamboo instead of steel, was supposed to be about a 100 feet in diameter. Myself and Dutch led the construction following the same design plans Rich devised in 2003, modified for the bigger size, at a warehouse in West Oakland. Simultaneously while one team was working at the Box Shop on the Star Stage, another dedicated team busted ass to get the bamboo dome pieces done, complete with a hellish night of loading the 50 foot truss pieces onto a flat bed semi trailer right before we left for the playa.  On playa, lots of build challenges.   Just when we thought we'd have to scrap it due to running out of time, we problem solved and were ready to lift. We used 2 patient cranes from Art Services, and our own forklift to bring it in the air. We were almost there.....

The Bamboo Dome is probably one of the all time great failed projects in BM history.  During lifting, a rope got caught under a tire, a key truss broke, and the project was still possible but not safe so we chose to scrap it.  Flushing $25k and a summer's worth of work down the drain.  It hurt.

From the Archives : @ OT Burning Man 2007 -Angst

From the Archives : @ OT Burning Man 2007 - Redemption

Digging up more Unearthed Arcana, this is a companion set to the other '07 set called Angst, where I was channeling my anger and sadness over the failed 'bamboo disaster.'  Read that story if you're curious on that other set.

Now it was Friday night and as it happens, despite that major let down, there was still plenty of beauty to be had at BM and our other new project, the 'Star Stage', had worked out, while not to plan, well enough.  This set is full playa range of spoken word intro from Alex Jones in Waking Life, (before he went full crack pot right winger), into a range of electro, techno, breaks and progressive.  It's full range playa music.  Hope you find something to enjoy all these years later, thanks for taking the time to listen!

Feel free to help me with the Track Listing, if you know the artists on any of these unknowns.

Refuse to Submit : Alex Jones in Waking Life
Stop the Revolution :  Meat Katie & D Ramirez Ft. Odissi (Dubfire Rmx)
No Fear : Lutzenkirchen
Spielen : Unknown
Automatic Machine : Vandalism
Ready to Go : Unknown
Magenta : Unknown
Skyline Blvd - Luke Chable (DJ Remy rmx)
Skyline Blvd - Luke Chable
You: Elite Force
Raga Bright : Unknown
Affectation : Chris Nemmo, Andree Eskay (Dousk Dub)
Perspective : Unknown
Plan 9 : Unknown
Chase the Rabbit : Unknown

From the Archives : @ OT Burning Man 2007 - Redemption

From 10/191/10 at the Opulent Temple & Duck Pond stage at SF Decom.

We went big on our stage cause we wanted to play with our flame throwers, so this high energy set of jackin house, tech house and future house jumps right in and keep it going strong, IMHO.  :-P

This is a dance floor set with nice drops to hit that poofer!

Let me know what you think.

1. San Frandisco : Dom Dolla
2. Lick Shot : Gorgon City
3. Ballers : DJ S.K.T.
4. Dirty Call : Slake
5. Pop Your Pussy (2019 Rework) : Croatia Squad Pop Your Pussy
6. Poseidon : Local Dialect (Gorgon City Remix)
7. Glitches : Croatia Squad (Yvvan Back Remix)
8. Okay : The Giver, Luca Debonaire
9. Big Love : Pete Heller (David Penn Extended Remix)
10. Heater : Samim Heater (Tube & Berger Remix) 
11. Work (Club Mix) : Denise, Chris Lorenzo, Puppah Nas-T Work 
12. Move That Body : Croatia Squad 
13. Banger :  Morse, Hubba, Juzball 
14. High : Platinum Doug 
17. Rewind :  Sergio Trillini 
15. No More Time : Fort Arkansas 
16. Elizabeth Street : Gorgon City

Syd Gris - Live At SF BM Decompression 10/19/19

It's 2020, 12:05am specifically.  The new decade is welcomed with warm, funky infectious driving house grooves.   The Mint was popping and the Bohemians were out in full force.   This set best enjoyed in movement.

Thanks to everyone that rang it with us, hope you enjoy.

(Track list coming soon.)

Syd Gris - Live At New Bohemia NYE 2020 at the Mint

From the Archives : Live at Opulent Temple 2005 (the 'opening for Oakey set')

So ya, this set has never seen the light of day since it was played Friday night at OT in 2005 when I opened for my original trance legend Paul Oakenfold, who was my gate way DJ into dance music.  (Global Underground New York, specifically).   How he and Tiesto came to play for us in '05, our first year on the 2:00 corner is a long story, ask me sometime. 

I never released it cause the mixes aren't clean.  Was still playing on vinyl in our original DJ booth and still a relative rookie DJ playing a situation I had no business playing but I made that situation happen (and the schedule, lol), so I put myself there anyway.  I'm sharing now cause hardly anyone will listen and it's 15 years ago so who cares?  It had to be included in my Playlist of my playa sets over the years to complete the circle.

Audio quality not the greatest, mixes not the greatest, but it exudes the joy I was feeling to be there, opening for Oakey while Tiesto was in the crowd listening with his girlfriend he came out to the desert with.  I was so f'ing happy to open with that song Animal from from one of his mixed CD's of the time.   Let me know what you think.

Track listing:
1. Lost it. com - Animal	
2. Martin & Tony Price pres. Spin - Believe	
3. Thomas Penton - Deeper Vowels
4. Jose Zamora & Damian DP – Transatlantic ft. Paleday (Andy Moor Remix)
5. Tilt - Twelve	(Max Graham Remix)
6. Matthew Dekay v. Proluctors - The Deep Show (DJ Remy Remix)	
7. Art of Trance – Mongoose (Tek Tonic Remix)	
8. Moogwai - Viola 2005 (Tek Tonik Remix)

Live At Bm

From the Archives : Live at Opulent Temple 2005 (the 'opening for Oakey set')

There was no real Burn in 2020, as you well know, but we still had playa music all week at the Virtual version of Burning Man where Opulent Temple had a camp in the 'Dusty Multiverse'.

I approached the set as I always would a playa set. I was imagining starting on playa at 9:00pm (as this set did), with the dance floor slowly filling up with that 'come for a magic night' vibe that always accompanies the Wednesday night Sacred Dance white costume party at Opulent Temple.

Start off pretty and deeper, a little more progressive than my usual sound, build it up and pull it back before getting to a more jackin' groove, and end on a pretty note.  Hope you feel the desert vibez.

Track Listing
1. Phases : Ben Bohmer, Spencer Brown
2. Dustpig : Fabrication 
3. Turn Around : Ali Bakgor & Furkan Kara 
4. Ignition : Castlebrook 
5. Ceiba : Troste 
6. Birthright (Dosem Remix) : Nora En Pure
7. Maira : Abhishek Negi 
8. Five : Dennis Cruz
9. Take That: Joël Fabrice
10. Stereo Century :The Giver
11. Troubled (Croatia Squad Remix) : Stan Kolev 
12. The Mage (Croatia Squad Remix) :  Passenger 10, Anissa Damali 
13. Get Down : LOVD & Crankstar 
14. All Night Alone (Chris Lake Extended Mix) : Chris Lake, Josement 
15. Moving Blind (Gorgon City Extended_Remix) : Sonny Fodera, Dom Dolla
16. Prepare for the Night (Yvvan Back Remix) :Croatia Squad
17. Feel the Rhythm : Josh Green 
18. Blackbird (Gorgon City Remix) : Joeski, Gorgon City
19. Rise : Hot Since 82
20. Hypercolour (ARTBAT Remix) : Camelphat, ARTBAT, Yannis

Live at Virtual Burn 2020, Opulent Temple Wednesday

One of the longest running fun creators in the Bay Area dance music and underground arts scene. Called a "Renaissance man of the West Coast scene", and with good reason. Founder of the legendary Opulent Temple collective, best known for their premiere sound stage at Burning Man, past Board Member and key producer of the San Francisco LovEvolution event (formerly known as LoveFest/Love Parade), founder of Opel Productions, throwing club events and 'parties with purpose' in San Francisco for 17+ years, a child psychologist with a Doctorate in transpersonal psychology, curator of sound in SF and BRC, blogger on social issues, and of course - a DJ.

Started throwing both underground parties in 2001, and benefit events for different charities with Spundae. Following year  started Opel Productions, intended to be parties with purpose showcasing a range of forward thinking underground dance music with a dash of social activism thrown in the party message. In 2003, finished a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, founded Opulent Temple, and joined the Board for San Francisco's Love event. In current 'day job', work out of a community clinic with foster kids in the Bayview Hunter Point area in San Francisco.

On the DJ tip, one of the West Coast's top talents, consistently being voted in the Top 10 San Francisco Dream Team poll, and playing the biggest events in California party land. Playing a versatile range of house and techno and breaks, been personally tapped to open and close for the varied likes of Underworld, Moby, Tiesto, Stanton Warriors, Armin Van Burren, and the list goes on.  Knows what to do in any situation to bring the universal vibe of dance music.  Sets are known for walking the fine line between the gritty and the pretty, with a musical range seldom seen in party land.

Listen to Syd Gris sets here: 
https://soundcloud.com/syd-gris

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