Twenty years ago, Damian Lazarus’ Crosstown Rebels label originated as a home for electronic music misfits from around the world, a family of outrageous characters, and enclave for the avant garde that went on to become one of clubland’s most influential entities.
In celebration of the label’s 20th anniversary, Damian Lazarus has announced the CR20 Tour, bringing Crosstown veteran artists and newcomers alike to ten of the best party cities around the world, paying homage to the label’s two decade history at the outer edges of the dancefloor.
One of house and techno’s most integral imprints, Crosstown Rebels has helped launch the careers of global superstars like Jamie Jones, Seth Troxler, Maceo Plex, and Art Department + more since its formation in 2003.
The CR20 tour will touch down in ten cities at iconic nightlife institutions including London’s Fabric, Rome’s Sanctuary, Berlin’s Watergate, Paris’s Bridge, Istanbul’s Klein Phonix, Ibiza’s Akasha, Tokyo’s Zero Tokyo, and Bali’s Savaya. The tour sees Lazarus curate a multi-generational Crosstown affair including Detroit champion Seth Troxler, underground staple Dennis Cruz, multi-instrumentalist production icon Mathew Jonson, London’s own Made By Pete, the mystifying Oceanvs Orientalis and more.
On par with Lazarus’ propensity to support rising talent, he has also invited amapiano flag bearer AMÉMÉ, Berlin-based minimal icon Yulia Niko, Crosstown kin Tibi Dabo, alternative electronic duo Pale Blue, and Paris’s Salome Lé Chat.
In Lazarus’ own words, “20 years ago I dreamed a dream of creating a family of like minded, crazy individuals from all corners of the planet – releasing music to the world and making people dance. That dream was Crosstown Rebels and this year we are 20. Over these years I have forged beautiful friendships, discovered very talented artists and tried my best to help, advise and support some of the most colourful characters in dance music. Crosstown Rebels is more than a record label, it is Family. So 2023 will mark the label’s 20th anniversary. This is an opportunity for the Crosstown Rebels family, a global community of artists, DJs and creatives, and the label’s myriad of followers to celebrate this momentous milestone. With support from our friends at @volcantequila, there will be parties and events around the world. There’s a killer compilation of exclusives and special remixes in the works. There’s also a beautiful coffee table book, a short film, and a special launch event planned to bring together the sights and sounds of the label’s unique and influential history. There’s lots to share, announce and reminisce about in the coming weeks.”
Since its formation in 2003, Crosstown Rebels has remained on the forefront of discovering emerging sounds and debuting breakthrough artists, helping launch the careers of global superstars like Jamie Jones, Seth Troxler, Maceo Plex, and Art Department in the early years of the imprint and positioning itself as one of contemporary house and techno’s most forward-thinking labels. Crosstown has remained a broad force across the world of electronic since those early days, uniting artists like DJ Krust, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, Four Tet, Masters at Work, Satori, Jennifer Cardini and many more under one roof.
Parties have always been central to Crosstown Rebels’ identity, with the ahead of its time Rebel Rave series and early Slash & Burn parties paving the way for Lazarus to create two of the world’s most immersive sonic experiences, the internationally touring Get Lost and Day Zero in Tulum and Israel, setting precedent for electronic music events worldwide.
For the last twenty years, Crosstown Rebels have guided a global community of electronic music fans through a realm of sonic exploration and connectedness. Join the historic anniversary celebrations to experience its mystifying musical curation and storied community firsthand.
CR20 World Tour Dates
April 16- Bali – Damian Lazarus, Carla Durisch at Savaya
April 22- Tokyo- Damian Lazarus, Bill Patrick, Seth Troxler at Zero Tokyo
April 30- Ibiza- Damian Lazarus, + special guests at Akasha
May 5- Dubai- Damian Lazarus, Carla Durisch, Oceanvs Orientalis at Iris
May 6- Istanbul-Damian Lazarus, Dennis Cruz at Klein Phonix
May 14- Rome- Damian, AMÉMÉ, Bartolomeo, Cristina Lazic, Oceanvs Orientalis, Pale Blue, Tibi Dabo at Sanctuary
May 17- Paris-Damian Lazarus, AMÉMÉ, Salome Lé Chat at Bridge
May 19- London-Damian Lazarus, Clive Henry, Dennis Cruz, Made By Pete, Mathew Jonson, Subb-an, Tibi Dabo, Yulia Niko, + special guest at Fabric
May 20- Berlin-Damian Lazarus, Bartolomeo, Pale Blue, Tibi Dabo, Yulia Niko, Mathew Jonson, Carla Durisch, Kiki & Silversurfer at Watergate