In just its fourth year, Proper NYE is rapidly cementing itself as a premier West Coast music festival. For two days, Petco Park—graciously loaned out by the city of San Diego and the Padres—served as the home base for thousands of fans descending upon the venue for an incredibly stacked lineup of dance music talent.
The festival is carefully curated by the FNGRS CRSSD crew, not only to bring in the best names in the industry but to ensure the event feels like a cohesive, living experience rather than a collection of standalone concerts. Much like an artist crafting a perfect album tracklist, the energy at Proper is designed to build throughout the day, culminating in a deliberate, high-energy crescendo.
However, the event's success this year was defined by how it addressed the challenges of the past. The 2024-2025 edition, while musically impressive, was marred by logistical hurdles that left many attendees frustrated. In the world of festival production, these "growing pains" can be make-or-break moments. It is a testament to the organizers that they not only listened to the feedback but actively improved almost every facet of the operation.
Reduced capacity made a world of difference. Entering the venue was a breeze, and the addition of new traffic routes between stages successfully eliminated the dangerous bottlenecks that plagued previous years. It was refreshing to see a festival take accountability and prioritize the attendee experience over maximizing profits.
Proper NYE takes place on December 31st and January 1st, a time when most are recovering, but the Proper crowd chooses to dance. The festival featured four stages, with the main stage situated on the baseball field, providing a massive, immersive feel.
The 1-2 punch of Tinlicker followed by It's Murph was a delight, showcasing prowess across various sub-genres despite the rare San Diego rain. The weather did little to dampen spirits; if anything, it added to the atmosphere as the crowd donned ponchos and kept the energy high.
The highlight of December 31st was undoubtedly Gorgon City's massive set at the Lot stage. For 90 minutes, the duo commanded the crowd, feeling the energy through every transition and drop as they navigated the set with precision.
While historically house-forward, Proper expanded its sonic palette this year by booking the legendary Chase & Status for a massive main stage drum and bass set. The departure from tradition was a welcome palate cleanser, proving that a bit of variety is essential for a thriving festival.
The festival concluded with two legendary performances: a b2b set from Skrillex and Four Tet, followed by an extremely rare DJ set from French powerhouse Justice. The Skrillex and Four Tet set was a masterclass in unpredictability, featuring timeless classics like "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites" and "Kill Everybody."
Justice closed the night with an iconic performance, opening with Guns N' Roses' "Welcome To The Jungle" and weaving in tracks from Gesaffelstein, Mr. Oizo, and Boys Noize. The highlight was an unexpected drop of ABBA's "Voulez-Vous," which saw the entire crowd singing in unison.
Proper NYE has proven that it is a festival that learns, adapts, and thrives. We look forward to seeing what they bring to the table next year.
