What did you do last weekend? If it didn’t involve a clammy mosh pit of hipster kids and Skid Row transients raindancing to moombahton, save your breath. Mad Decent’s roving Block Party finally made its way to the West Coast, luring droves of colorful folks to a makeshift stage sandwiched between empty factory buildings in downtown Los Angeles.

The alleyway revelry featured, of course, ringleader Diplo and the infectious Major Lazer troupe, as well as the likes of Dillon Francis, Lunice, Gang Gang Dance, and more. While the crowds may have swelled for the Diplo and Major Lazer set, it was moombahton’s rising golden boy, Dillon Francis, who stole the show. Introduced as “our hometown hero,” Francis played his set like a seasoned vet, a candid grin spreading across his face each time the masses roared in approval, or tossed another scantily clad chick up on their shoulders. 

What might have looked like a sketchy area to house a mini-music festival turned out to be the perfect home for the Mad Decent’s entourage. The adventurous scaled fire escapes for the bird’s eye experience, past beach balls impaled on barbed wire fences, as Major Lazer dropped “Pon de Flor” in an energized finale.

For those who turned up their nose at the lines, and trekked the couple blocks to Villains Tavern, go ahead and live vicariously through the photos. Patience is a virtue. 

Written by Caroline Pham