San Diego’s usually buttoned-up The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park shed its symphonic suit and put on a neon hoodie Friday evening for SLANDER PRESENTS: VOYAGER, drawing an 18+ crowd that packed the promenade, bleachers, and lawn under an immaculate laser canopy. Presented by Live Nation, the jam-packed night unfolded like a perfectly calibrated festival.
Redline opened at 5pm, setting a moody tone, followed by Saka, who pushed deeper into heavy bass and rhythm. Blanke delivered soaring drops and cinematic transitions before NGHTMRE took over with a thunderous hour of trap and melodic anthems. When SLANDER finally took the stage around 8:30pm, the energy was explosive - and the production matched it in every sense.
The duo went all out for their San Diego return. Massive stage-front pyrotechnics ignited in sync with every major drop, lighting up the bay in bursts of gold and white. A coordinated drone show danced over the water mid-set, forming their signature logo and shimmering patterns above the skyline. And as the final notes of the night rang out, a full-scale fireworks spectacular erupted directly from The Shell itself, painting the night sky in a finale more fitting of a Fourth of July celebration than a typical EDM concert. It was a jaw-dropping reminder that SLANDER are not just DJs - they’re showmen of the highest order.
This San Diego stop came on the heels of their headline appearance at Las Vegas’ Sphere earlier this fall as part of Insomniac x Tomorrowland’s UNITY showcase. That milestone clearly influenced their approach here - Friday’s performance carried the same arena-scale polish, from the layered visuals to the sweeping dynamics that kept the crowd locked in for nearly 90 minutes.
The duo went all out for their San Diego return. Massive stage-front pyrotechnics ignited in sync with every major drop, lighting up the bay in bursts of gold and white. A coordinated drone show danced over the water mid-set, forming their signature logo and shimmering patterns above the skyline. And as the final notes of the night rang out, a full-scale fireworks spectacular erupted directly from The Shell itself, painting the night sky in a finale more fitting of a Fourth of July celebration than a typical EDM concert. It was a jaw-dropping reminder that SLANDER are not just DJs - they’re showmen of the highest order.
This San Diego stop came on the heels of their headline appearance at Las Vegas’ Sphere earlier this fall as part of Insomniac x Tomorrowland’s UNITY showcase. That milestone clearly influenced their approach here - Friday’s performance carried the same arena-scale polish, from the layered visuals to the sweeping dynamics that kept the crowd locked in for nearly 90 minutes.
When the first piano notes of “Love Is Gone” echoed through the night, the crowd’s roar drowned out the opening lines. The song - SLANDER’s emotional anthem featuring Dylan Matthew - united thousands of voices as the duo paused the music to let fans take over. The drop hit alongside a blinding wave of lasers and fire columns, sending goosebumps across the waterfront.
Their latest single, a reimagining of Eagle-Eye Cherry’s “Save Tonight” featuring HALIENE, also drew massive response. The song, which blends nostalgia with modern melodic bass production, became an instant sing-along and one of the set’s standout moments. HALIENE’s ethereal vocals filled the bay, shimmering against the reflections of the drone lights above.
Credit to The Rady Shell, too - its world-class acoustics and skyline backdrop elevated the production to near-cinematic levels. The promoters’ high-end sound rig carried immense power without sacrificing clarity, and the precision of the laser and pyrotechnic synchronization was remarkable. The Shell, typically reserved for classical performances, proved it can handle bass drops just as gracefully as symphonies.
By the time SLANDER waved goodbye, the crowd was still belting the chorus of “Love Is Gone” as fireworks smoke drifted over the marina. For one unforgettable night, San Diego’s most elegant concert venue became the city’s biggest rave, and SLANDER made sure every note, flame, and flash counted.
Their latest single, a reimagining of Eagle-Eye Cherry’s “Save Tonight” featuring HALIENE, also drew massive response. The song, which blends nostalgia with modern melodic bass production, became an instant sing-along and one of the set’s standout moments. HALIENE’s ethereal vocals filled the bay, shimmering against the reflections of the drone lights above.
Credit to The Rady Shell, too - its world-class acoustics and skyline backdrop elevated the production to near-cinematic levels. The promoters’ high-end sound rig carried immense power without sacrificing clarity, and the precision of the laser and pyrotechnic synchronization was remarkable. The Shell, typically reserved for classical performances, proved it can handle bass drops just as gracefully as symphonies.
By the time SLANDER waved goodbye, the crowd was still belting the chorus of “Love Is Gone” as fireworks smoke drifted over the marina. For one unforgettable night, San Diego’s most elegant concert venue became the city’s biggest rave, and SLANDER made sure every note, flame, and flash counted.
Originally published on October 17, 2025.
