by evan twiford
The classic dance festival on San Francisco’s Pier 80 returns for its 5th year on September 26th and 27th, 2026. This year’s Portola weekend is packed once again with a multitude of activities, local food and drink, with music that spans anywhere from house, to hyperpop, to nu disco. With that being said, this year’s lineup is guaranteed to grab your attention. Here’s a few artists we’d like to spotlight for the upcoming festival weekend:
DAY ONE:
Day 1 is a good day for duos — and to kick it off, San Francisco locals Erika and SFCowboy are set to play a back-to-back set at the Crane Stage. As the two co-founders of up-and-coming electronic SF label and independent radio station Program Audio, the duo has been receiving their earned accolades, and are a pair to keep an eye on in the way of Bay Area sonic community.
Fcukers, an NYC electronic/house duo consisting of Shanny Wise and Jackson Walker, first rose to virality in 2024. The two are riding the high of their recently released full-length album Ö, and with high-energy OG hits like “Bon Bon” and “L.U.C.K.Y.” off of the new album, their upcoming set is absolutely not one to miss.
If you care to start the party off at sunset, Bassvictim intends to hold your body captive in their electric spell at the Shiptent Stage. Bassvictim’s Maria Manow and Ike Clateman best known for songs like “Forever Salty” and “27a Pitfield St,” precede their chaotic reputation on and off the stage, which contributes to their palpably addictive music.
One of the most anticipated sets of the festival is Dog Blood, the dynamic DJ duo of Skrillex and Boys Noize. This will be the electro house duo’s first ever set in the Bay Area, and also their first major performance since 2019. The duo project formed in 2012 will likely feature hit songs like “BREAK LAW,” “Next Order,” and “TURN OFF THE LIGHTS.” The scarcity of their sets is likely bringing many to the Bay Area to capitalize the first night of the festival.
DAY TWO:
One of the best ways to start off your Sunday afternoon is with a Channel Tres set. The hip house singer and producer from Compton, CA is not unfamiliar with being a sparkplug during his sets — opening up for Kaytranada in 2024 and on an upcoming tour with Thundercat. He’s likely to perform some of his best-known singles, such as “Controller” and “Topdown.”
A big highlight after Channel Tres to see would be the rapidly growing hyperpop sensation underscores. San Francisco born, the singer-songwriter and producer will be making a stop at Portola amidst tour, opening for the iconic Charli xcx. Her sets are known to be electrifying and cinematic while she transitions between digital playback and live instrumentation. If you aren’t familiar, check out the heavily popular and catchy song “The Peace” off here recent album U.
In the latter half of the evening, internet sensation Zara Larsson is an obvious must-go. Besides the singer’s gorgeous raw-talent vocals, she’s known on-stage for bringing smooth choreography, engaging moments with fans, and a playful, infectious energy backed by a live band. A recent notable song to many would be her instant classic collaboration with PinkPantheress on the remix of “Stateside,” even winning Collaboration of the Year at the American Music Awards 2026; as well as her hit single “Midnight Sun” — an earworm.
Swedish House Mafia brings a grand spectacle to one of the final sets of their night, with their typical euphoric production, lights, and sing-along anthems. House supergroup since 2008, Axwell, Steve Angello, and Sebastian Ingrosso are coming back to Pier 80 after nearly a year from their raw and striking New Years Eve 2025 performance. Expect to hear their classics like “Redlight,” “Greyhound,” “Miami 2 Ibiza,” and “Don’t You Worry Child.”
Despite these picks, there will be many more talents and pockets to have fun during the festivities at Pier 80. The whole weekend will also have Despacio, a custom powerful analog sound system created by James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem and brothers David and Stephen Dewaele where there will be an uninterrupted 7-hour vinyl-only set each day. If you don’t want to stop the fun or want to get the party started early, don't forget to catch some exclusive shows of the festival’s many talents at one of the Portola Week’s shows in the evenings leading up to and during the weekend. It seems Portola is shaping up for another star-studded lineup full of nonstop energy and movement for attendees.
