When BOLO attended HARD Summer for the first time in 2018, he wasn’t imagining himself onstage.
At the time, the Northern California native had been DJing weddings, quinceañeras and corporate events while trying to figure out his place in dance music. But after watching artists like Diplo, Dillon Francis and Kid Cudi perform, something clicked.
“I realized DJs could actually be mainstage acts,” the San Diego-based DJ and producer shared over the phone. “They had fans, they were able to do this on such a big scale. That’s when everything changed for me. I stopped doing weddings and quinceañeras and decided I wanted to pursue EDM. Eventually I found house music, and then started bringing in the sounds I grew up with, like reggaeton, into the dance space.”
Nearly seven years later, BOLO is returning to HARD Summer, taking the stage Aug. 1 at Hollywood Park in Inglewood after previously performing at the event’s Beatbox activation.
The moment feels especially meaningful after another pivotal chapter in his journey unfolded just a few hours south.
After graduating from Sonoma State in 2020, BOLO moved to San Diego as the pandemic brought live music to a standstill. While clubs and venues remained closed, he found himself immersed in the city’s underground rave scene, where DJs organized pop-up parties in parks and other secret locations, largely spread by word of mouth.
“Everything was underground,” he said. “People would set up speakers in random parks and send out a text saying, ‘We’re playing here until the cops shut us down.’ That’s where I found my community. I joined different collectives, started making connections, and played everywhere I could, like restaurants, rooftops, lounges, whatever would let me DJ. It helped me sharpen my sound and figure out who I wanted to be.”
As his career developed, so did his understanding of what made his music different.
“When I first started DJing, I wasn’t focused on bringing my culture into my sound,” he said. “Over time, I realized those sounds were true to who I am and my identity. The more I leaned into it, the more I realized I wasn’t alone. People appreciated that they could combine their worlds of raving and growing up Latino. That’s when I realized there was an actual community for it.”
That realization has since shaped much of BOLO’s career. Through Vibraza Records, his events and his “calling all Latino ravers” movement, he’s worked to create spaces where fans can see themselves represented both in the crowd and behind the decks.
“The fans were always there,” he said. “I don’t think they were represented as loudly as they are now. Being able to have someone representing their culture on a main stage lets people connect on a deeper level outside of just the music. Festivals are seeing that demand now, and it’s opening the door for more Latino artists. There’s enough room for everyone.”
He hopes younger Latino artists see his journey as proof that pursuing a career in dance music is possible.
“I hope they see that it’s not as far of a reach as they think,” he said. “It takes a lot of work, but I’m just another Latino guy from California chasing this dream. Whatever that dream is, it’s attainable if you’re willing to work for it.”
For his return to HARD Summer, BOLO plans to celebrate the community that helped get him there.
Inspired by the feeling of a backyard carne asada, his set will feature special guests and visuals designed to make the audience feel like they’re part of the gathering.
“I want to showcase parts of Chicano culture that I grew up with and put them on a big stage,” he said. “Whether people grew up with it or they’re being introduced to it for the first time, I want everyone to feel included. It’s going to be one big party.”
Insomniac Events: Hard Summer
When: 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1 – Sunday, Aug. 2
Where: Hollywood Park adjacent to SoFi Stadium, 1011 Stadium Dr, Inglewood
Tickets and information: Two-day general admission passes start at $312.30; Two-day general admission plus passes start at $362.36; Two-day VIP passes start at $445.44 at hardsummer.com.