If you’re a techno fan based on the east coast, Time Warp should most definitely be on your itinerary for this weekend. The revered, prolific event, which also takes place in Mannheim and Sao Paolo, returns to New York City on November 19–20, and is boasting a star-studded lineup.
Time Warp knows exactly how to throw a proper, large-scale rave. They’ve been doing it for the better part of three decades now. Even the most hailed DJs in the world know they have to bring their best stuff, which is why Time Warp is where we’ve witnessed some of the very best techno sets. For this year’s NYC edition, which will take place in an unnamed warehouse over in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, we’ve scoped the lineup and come up with a list of five sets that you absolutely cannot miss at the event.
Check out our must-see performances at Time Warp this weekend below. And if you don’t have tickets yet, snag them right here.
1. Ricardo Villalobos b2b Craig Richards
Simply put, two of the best, most fabled DJs alive taking the stage together. Ricardo Villalobos has been king of the underground for some time now, a pioneer of the minimal sound that is slowly but surely reaching its spine-tingling tendrils across the globe. Craig Richards is the music director of Fabric London, one of the most prestigious clubs in the world. The knowledge between these two is off the charts, and we have no idea what to expect for their b2b set on Friday.
2. Richie Hawtin
Richie Hawtin has a way of DJing that is purely his own. Instead of solely playing records, the Canadian techno mastermind has a way of playing his custom MODEL-1 mixer like an instrument. If you want to get a taste of what he’ll bring to Brooklyn this weekend, you can check out his entire set from 2019 below.
3. Jamie Jones b2b Seth Troxler
Two house & techno heavyweights going back and forth for three hours? Yes. Both Jamie and Seth specialize in tech house (the good kind), but don’t be surprised if they lean heavier into techno for their Time Warp performance. They’re set to close out the night with a three-hour set, but these sesh virtuosos could keep it going for longer than that.
4. Paula Temple
Alright. No messing around. If you want it hard, dark, and fast, Paula Temple is your girl. Paula has been honing her craft for 15 years, and specializes in heavy, noisy, unapologetic techno. This is all gas, no breaks.
5. Stephan Bodzin
Stephan Bodzin creates some of the most epic melodic techno bangers you’ll ever hear, and his music translates perfectly to live settings. Bodzin also has a unique way of playing, using a custom-built module that allows him to create live edits of his tracks on the spot. His performances are something to behold, and we can’t wait to see what he brings to the table on Saturday.