Following a memorable Outside Lands performance, DJ Diesel — the alter ego for basketball great Shaquille O’Neal — is headed back to San Francisco for another music festival. The NBA star-turned-disc jockey is slated to headline the first night of Breakaway Music Festival, a traveling electronic music festival that is scheduled to stop in the Bay Area on Oct. 13 and 14. O’Neal was a last-minute addition to the festival.
O’Neal also played a night show at 1015 Folsom during Outside Lands weekend. O’Neal’s sets aren’t groundbreaking. He relies heavily on samples from famous crowd-pleasing songs. “Seven Nation Army,” “Hustlin,” “Whatcha Say,” “Barbie Girl” and “We Are the Champions” were all featured during his 45-minute Outside Lands set. But his presence — both his enormous physical stature and his life-of-the-party attitude — make him a delightfully entertaining performer.