_ADRA_

On May 2, Free Techno welcomes techno pioneer Joey Beltram to Union Square. . For nearly 4 decades, Joey has stood as a defining force in techno. In 1990, the timeless Energy Flash took the world by storm, a track that still hits with the same intensity today. With Mentasm, he introduced the now-iconic “hoover sound,” a churning synth pattern that embedded itself deep into techno’s DNA and continues to echo through the music. . His work across Warp, Tresor, Transmat, Nu-Groove, Harthouse, Drumcode, and R&S Records has helped shape techno at its core. Nearly 40 years in, that influence remains, from the world’s largest stages to the deepest corners of the underground. . Joining him we have some familiar faces in San Francisco: Max Gardner b2b Adra Zachary Noel . Together, we gather in the heart of downtown San Francisco to create a new chapter for our city while paying respects to one of this music’s greatest architects. We’re thrilled to continue reviving and building this culture of vibrant expression in our beautiful home. . See you on the dancefloor! . . . . . . . . . #freetechnosf #technoparty #joeybeltram #unionsquaresf #sanfrancisco

Direct To Earth returns on April 24th with a focused night of deep, hypnotic techno in a special SOMA space. 🌀 For this edition, we welcome @sandrien_ for her San Francisco debut, playing an extended set. Known for her patient, groove-driven approach and deeply functional selections, she brings a sound rooted in movement, flow, and long-form tension. 💫 The night is rounded out by DTE residents and close collaborators. @_adra_ presents a live set, exploring deeper and more experimental territory. @9system carries the room through driving, immersive selections built for continuity on the dancefloor. @vorspier opens the night with his debut set. The space is tuned for clarity and pressure on a Turbo Sound system with additional Danley sub reinforcement, with lighting by Dust Collective. Multiple areas allow for stepping away, resetting, and re-entering. Coat check is available, along with a small rooftop smoking area. Tickets must be secured ahead of time by emailing [email protected]. No tickets at the door. More info available on RA. Come early. Be present. Stay late. ✨

Wow! We could not be more pleased with the first-ever techno event in Union Square. Thank you to everyone who came out and danced with us. . It is with great excitement that we continue forward with a full summer of programming. We have many big announcements on the way. For now, save the following dates: . June 6 August 1 August 15 . We are so grateful to have more opportunities to create memories that will last a lifetime with our beautiful community in the city that we love! . . . . . . . . . #freetechnosf #techno #unionsquaresf #joeybeltram #sanfrancisco

FREE TECHNO is built on the belief that music is a shared experience and that the dance floor can be a place of connection, learning, and openness. We are committed to creating an environment that welcomes everyone across all ages and backgrounds into the world of techno. For many, this will be their first introduction to the culture. Because of that, we are calling on the community we've built over the years to lead by example: meet new energy with warmth, say hello, make space, and help others feel genuinely welcome. A single interaction can shape someone's entire experience. We especially call on our more seasoned veterans of the techno world to actively engage. Newcomers may turn to you with questions like "Who is this DJ?" or "What track is this?" or simply want to share their excitement: "This is amazing! Where do I find more?" We encourage you to meet these moments with openness and a warm welcome. Share your knowledge, guide the curious, and help foster a sense of belonging on the dance floor. While traditional dance floors often lean toward silence and discourage phone use, we are intentionally creating something different. Here, curiosity is part of the experience. First-time listeners may have their phones out, using Shazam to discover a track they've never heard before, or capturing a moment that feels new and exciting. We welcome that. It's part of how people connect, learn, and remember their first encounter with techno. This is a space where curiosity is encouraged, knowledge is shared, and joy is collective. Free Techno exists to open the doors wider so that anyone, at any stage, can step in, connect, and discover what this music has to offer.

Two artists deeply rooted to San Francisco’s underground, Max Gardner and Adra come together for a b2b set at Union Square. . Max, often known for his psychedelic and hypnotic approach, has become one of the artists most closely associated with Bay Area techno. His reputation was initially garnered through his relentless curation of underground parties for over 14 years with his Direct To Earth crew. Releases on labels like Blank Code, Truncate, Occultists, and Northern Parallels, as well as his own imprint, Peer reflect a deep, ongoing contribution to the global techno identity. . Adra brings a raw, heady, and technical approach shaped by her dedication to gear-driven production and live performance. Based in San Francisco after relocating from Las Vegas, she has carved out space as one of the west coasts Live set experts. Her work is defined by focus, originality, and a refusal to conform. . Together, their b2b channels shared maturity and experience in the world of techno and a connection to the culture that runs deeper than the surface. At Union Square, their collaboration embodies the spirit of Free Techno. Welcoming, uncompromising, and rooted in a proper techno sound. . . . . . . . . . #freetechno #unionsquaresf #sanfrancisco #techno #freeconcert

Friday is going to be so good 🔥

@_ADRA_ has built a body of work defined by raw precision and an unwavering commitment to the real thing. Deeply embedded in the fabric of SF’s underground, she stands as one of the scene’s most focused and uncompromising artists. Adra’s primarily known for her all-hardware live sets, building and mutating patterns in real time on Elektron gear. No backing tracks, no safety net. Just decisions in the moment, executed with the technical control of someone who has been doing this for a long time. She’s performed at Observe Scene in Detroit, represented the ‘peer’ label showcase in SF, and holds a key residency at Throttle, in one of the city’s most respected institutions. On April 24th, Adra brings that same intensity to DTE. Less about transition, more about transformation. Catch her April 24th at our special SOMA Underground.

THIS SUMMER, FREE TECHNO WILL CALL UNION SQUARE HOME FOR A SUMMER PROGRAMMING SERIES. . For generations, Union Square has existed as one of San Francisco’s most iconic gathering places. A historic center for culture, commerce, and community in the heart of the city. . We’re transforming Union Square into an energetic super highway that’s open to everyone. . This isn’t just about music. It’s about restoring San Francisco’s creative soul. It’s about reminding us what this city is capable of. . No tickets. No barriers. Just music, art, and shared experience. . This is what it looks like to reclaim public space. This is how we bring a city back to life. . Pull up. Be part of it. . Support the movement: freetechno.org . . . . . . . . . #freetechno #unionsquaresf #sanfrancisco #downtownsf #technolovers

Last summer, Free Techno activated Salesforce Park For the first time in SF history. . San Francisco’s creative soul is not gone. It’s right here, on the dance floor, with all of us. All of you beautiful people who showed up proved this is the case. . Events like this don’t happen without a strong community behind them. If you have the means and believe world-class techno should be free and accessible to everyone, consider making a donation at freetechno.org. Every little bit keeps the dance floor open for all. . Much more to come in on our 2026 summer series. We can’t wait to share. Stay tuned. . . . . . . . . . #FreeTechno #SalesforcePark #SanFrancisco #TechnoSF #freeevents

freetechno.org is live. 🖤 . Free music. Free art. Free educational experiences. All in one place. . A hub for SF’s underground creative community, where you can stay connected, find upcoming events, and plug into everything we’re building together. . We’re just getting started, and something big is coming soon. 👀 . Drop a 🖤 if you’ve been waiting for this. Tag someone who needs to know about it. . . . . . . . . . #sanfrancisco #freetechno #sfmusic #technomusic #undergroundmusic

I am moving to Oakland on 3 months #elektron #techno #bayarea

May 2nd will be the first ever FREE TECHNO activation at Union Square. This is the first in a summer long series of extra special, all-ages, and completely FREE events backed by our lovely city. . We are honored to receive so much support from the arts community, our donors, fundraising partners, and the city of San Francisco itself. All the parties that are joining forces to support our mission of reviving this city's creative soul and community through free music, education, and the universal language of techno have us more motivated than ever. Things are taking off. . Stay tuned for some very exciting announcements soon to come... . . . . . . . . . #freetechnosf #unionsquaresf #sanfrancisco #sfbayarea #techno