MP3 MAG PREP: 5 Hot Techno Acts to Catch at HARD Summer

The Must-See Techno Acts at HARD Summer 2025

HARD Summer has always been a place where genre boundaries blur and forward-thinking artists shine. For its 2025 edition, the iconic Los Angeles festival is doubling down on its love affair with techno—bringing in a lineup of heavy-hitters, boundary-pushers, and underground icons who represent the present and future of the genre. Whether you’re a seasoned raver or just dipping your toes into darker, harder sounds, this year’s techno slate is packed with can’t-miss sets. Here are the must-see techno acts lighting up Hollywood Park this August.

999999999

Few names in modern techno command as much respect and raw energy as 999999999 (Nine Times Nine). The Italian duo has become a staple on the global rave circuit thanks to their relentless acid-infused live sets and uncompromising production style. At HARD Summer, expect pure chaos: throbbing 303 basslines, aggressive tempos, and an atmosphere more akin to a warehouse in Berlin than a SoCal festival. If you want your heart rate accelerated and your feet destroyed, this set is non-negotiable.

Alignment

Also hailing from Italy, Alignment is a new-school star with old-school sensibilities. Known for his thunderous kicks, dystopian synth textures, and mind-melting breakdowns, Alignment is part of a new wave of techno producers pushing the sound into darker, more intense territory. His HARD Summer debut promises to be a punishing experience—in the best way possible.

The high priestess of hard techno returns. Texas-born and Berlin-based, Sara Landry has exploded onto the global stage with a no-compromise sound that blends industrial grit, hypnotic rhythms, and an almost spiritual level of intensity. She’s one of the few DJs who can make a crowd feel like they’re dancing at the edge of the apocalypse, and she does it with style, soul, and a cult following. If you want to be baptized in fire, this is your sermon.

Nico Moreno

French producer Nico Moreno is among the new generation of artists who have redefined peak-hour techno. Known for his high BPM, rave-ready sound, and unrelenting performance energy, Moreno’s sets are a sensory overload of kicks, distortion, and strobe lights. If you’re looking for a visceral experience that toes the line between techno and industrial hardcore, this is your set.

I Hate Models

I Hate Models is techno’s tortured poet, seamlessly weaving melancholy and euphoria into every performance. His sets are cinematic, emotional, and unrelenting—pulling from industrial, trance, acid, and even hardcore. For fans looking for a spiritual journey soundtracked by the end of the world, his HARD Summer appearance will be a defining moment.

Why HARD Summer Is the Perfect Techno Playground

HARD Summer’s return to Hollywood Park makes it a dream venue for techno lovers. With multiple stages, immersive production, and a dedication to curating the most relevant acts in the game, this isn’t just another festival—it’s a snapshot of the techno zeitgeist. For a scene once dominated by Europe, it’s refreshing to see Los Angeles plant its flag with such a bold and varied techno offering.

Whether you’re there for the BPMs, the emotion, the sweat, or the catharsis, the techno lineup at HARD Summer 2025 is one of the best in the country this year. Bring earplugs. Wear black. Let go.

HARD Summer 2025 takes place August 2–3 at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, CA. Tickets on sale now at hardsummer.com.