The summer heat has been especially unforgiving, but a breezy weekend carried the promise of fall to Portola, the Bay Area’s flagship electronic festival. This year’s lineup boasted some of the most exciting names in electronic music, from legacy acts like Dog Blood (Skrillex and Boyz Noize’s collaborative project) to buzzy names like Horsegiirl and Ninajirachi.

Portola was first conceived in 2022 as a means to bring a euro rave to the West Coast. Artists hailing from around the world performed at San Francisco Pier 80’s waterfront, with gantry cranes towering overhead. The venue was a nod to San Francisco’s roots as a port city, clearing warehouses of shipping containers in favor of dense crowds and beaming lasers. Select sets are now live exclusively on Spotify’s live video hub.

FLAUNT caught up with some of our favorite acts of the weekend.

Martyna Maja, known onstage as VTSS, delivers a heart-pumping strain of techno. The Polish-born and NYC-based DJ just wrapped her A/V tour and will make her acting debut later this year in Boy Harsher’s The Lonely Woman, alongside FKA twigs and Chloë Sevigny.

Is it okay to cry on the dance floor?

You aren’t a real raver if you’ve never cried on the dance floor.

Best outfit to wear behind the booth? Best outfit to wear in a crowd?

Behind the booth, I personally don’t care about comfort - for me as a performer, a great outfit needs to feel like an extension of the performance itself. In the crowd, though, comfortable shoes are non-negotiable. Beyond that, just whatever shows your mood and personality.

Does the party ever have to end?

Yes, please??

What’s your most cherished festival memory as of late?

I really loved my time at Coachella 2025. I had my whole crew working and traveling together, and since it was an A/V show, so much collective effort went into it. Because I usually tour solo, it just felt so much more emotional having the entire team there with me. It felt like none other show I’ve done before.

What does the early fall season sound like to you?

The Sims shopping mode soundtrack.

When you think of the Bay Area, what do you think of?

The Room by Tommy Wiseau.

English singer-songwriter Melanie C entered the music world as one-fifth of the Spice Girls. Three decades after making her name as Sporty Spice, Melanie C revisits dance-pop with her record Sweat, released in May.

What can American crowds stand to learn from the Brits?

Honestly my experience of American crowds has always been phenomenal, the level of commitment is outstanding! From my early Spice days to my recent solo tour my audiences have always been joyous and full of love. I love how every crowd has its own personality but I’m lucky being a Spice Girl as we have an incredible fan base, super loyal and fun.

Do you believe love on the dance floor can last forever?

Absolutely, from a fleeting romance to life long love, sharing those euphoric moments on the dance floor is a healing and bonding experience and you need to know if your lover can dance!!! When I first met my husband the first time we danced was when I started to fall madly in love with him, we’ve been dancing ever since :)

What was the last track that made you sweat?

My favourite track to DJ right now is Kiss Girls by Danny Avila & Sarah De Warren, it’s a massive tune, hits hard, and I can’t keep still when it’s on. Give it a listen, it’s a banger!

How have you been protecting your peace on your world tour?

I love being in my tour bubble, regular calls home to my daughter and dog help when I’m feeling a little homesick. The response in North America has been incredible. I’m playing some cities I’ve never played as a solo artist and some I haven’t played in over 20 years! I’m so happy to be back playing in this part of the world and I plan to be back as soon as I can. I feel very inspired, invigorated and grateful.

How are you finding new music these days?

I’ve been DJing for the last 8 years and that has given me such a different perspective on making music and how I discover it. The DJ community is really supportive and I’ve made lots of great mates, there’s opportunities to play each other's music, collaborate, and share the music we’re loving. I get sent lots of tracks and spend more time in clubs and at festivals watching my favourite DJs and artists than I did before. 

When you think of the Bay Area, what do you think of?

I have so many wonderful memories of my first time here with the Spice Girls in 1998. Such a unique, beautiful and cultural part of California. I think of the incredible music history and artists from there, from the beat generation, Haight-Ashbury to today. Recently playing the Castro was an absolute highlight of my tour and career. Such a beautiful venue with incredible importance in the LGBTQ+ community, an absolute privilege to play there.

In essence, Six Sex’s core sound is a punchy reggaeton – intense, horny, and hot. Since the release of her debut album, ULTRA, the Argentine club queen has been strutting across stages all summer long. 

What’s your first memory of the dance floor?

Maybe it wasn't actually a dance floor, but I remember dancing with my family around Christmas and New Year's. They'd set up speakers all around the patio of the house I grew up in, and we'd listen to cumbia, chamamé, pop, all kinds of music, together.

How do you carry Buenos Aires with you wherever you go?

I love Buenos Aires so much, it really comes with me everywhere. Being from there is a big part of who I am. I talk about it all the time, I tell everyone to visit. It's an amazing city with something for anyone who wants to get to know it.

Best way to have fun at a festival solo?

I'd say it's a mix. Definitely go see the acts you're really excited about live, but leave room to be surprised by people you've never even heard of. Stay open to being amazed by new things.

‍Who have you been listening to as of late?

I’ve been listening a lot to ear’s album, The Most Dear and The Future. There’s something very special to their sound that I really enjoy lately.

When you imagine the dance floor of the future, what does it look like?

Hopefully it comes with even more openness, less prejudice, and more space for expression and acceptance. I think there's been real progress, but we're not quite there yet. There's still room to grow.

When you think of the Bay Area, what do you think of?

I get this warm feeling. I've had amazing experiences there. The Bay Area has been so welcoming to my music and received the project with open arms, and I think that's because there's a strong sense of freedom there, sound-wise too, that connects with what I do.

Farheen Khan and Ginger Scott first crossed paths on a Hunger Games-themed Minecraft server. More than a decade later, the duo is among the pioneers of “girl EDM”, bringing their glitchy bubblegum charm on a solo tour, a festival bender, and as a supporting act for Ninajirachi’s and Madeon’s tours.

Most surprising thing about your day-of-set routines?

When Farheen was getting ready for Portola her curling iron lit her hair on fire

You're marooned on a desert island together. Do you keep making music? What does it sound like?

Same as our current sound

Last time you forgot yourself on the dance floor?

Last night

Dream surprise guest at your Portola set?

Cleopatra

‍Dream audience member?

Every girl to ever live

How do you keep each other on your toes?

Telepathy

When you think of the Bay Area, what do you think of?

Elizabeth Holmes, Golden Gate Bridge, Mythical Fog, Peace Sign, HD

Albuquerque-born and Brooklyn-based jigitz brings UK garage to the other side of the Atlantic. His debut album, 50 ballerinas, came out in August and features artists like glaive and Charlotte Plank.

Strangest sound you’d like to incorporate into your next set?

Yoshi’s moveset from Super Smash Bros. Melee.

Favorite way to get the endorphins flowing?

The ballet dancers and I do pushups and listen to glaive before every set.

Biggest surprise you’ve ever had on a dance floor?

We’ve had seven proposals to my song “first time.” I’m pretty sure everyone said yes.

Best way to win over a lethargic crowd?

You have to go harder than the crowd. Make it awkward for them not to dance because you’re jumping around so much. Nobody’s worried about looking dumb if I’m already the dumbest-looking person in the room.

10 years from now, what do you want to remember about this moment in your career?

I feel like I finally got let in. I’ve been making music for fun for so long, and now I’m getting to perform on these stages and hang out backstage with artists who inspire me. It’s a real “I’ve made it” moment. I want to remember what that feels like.

When you think of the Bay Area, what do you think of?

Some of the best dance crowds I’ve played to in America. It’s between the Bay and New York for me. Also the food is 10/10.

All portraits by Ron Snake.