Stepping deep into the sonic pulse of San Francisco’s nightlife, RETRO ACTIVO emerges at El Rio on August 3, 2025, primed to channel the enduring spirit of techno’s past and future edges. This event sets the stage for an intimate journey, crowned by the ethereal grooves and sharply crafted narratives of headliners Charles Hawthorne and KARLITA. Charles Hawthorne, known for weaving densely layered sets that traverse both classic and unconventional techno spheres, brings his signature kinetic energy to the decks.

Alongside him, KARLITA will drive the night forward with a sound equally shaped by melodic tension and forward-thinking floor dynamics. Surrounded by El Rio’s warm, storied walls, RETRO ACTIVO is set to reframe the late-night landscape with a commitment to groove, community, and the enduring evolution of the underground. Capacity is limited, creating a rarefied setting to lose yourself in the loops and textures that define the techno continuum.