The early ‘90s are back in Tijuana.

High-waist bloomers, felt boater hats, “Goo” Sonic Youth tees and lacey long-sleeves, cat-eye liner beneath buggy shades, jean short hips, and red, red lips dominate hep vogue in “the most visited city in the world.”

Five models (they look about 17) demonstrate the TJ mode by striking blasé poses around the pool at the Millionaire House, a 2500-capacity mansion/venue maintained by the son of a plastic-bag mogul on a hillside overlooking the nightlife nexus of Revolución and Sexta.

The second annual All My Friends music festival saw over 30 bands from Tijuana, northern Mexico, and San Diego playing on three stages starting in the afternoon and ending around 4 in the morning.

Lo-fi SD/TJ rockers Electric Healing Sound played in a concrete bunker beneath the tennis court. How 'bout them 'coustics?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5cGefMamgc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRpL9xQLCmg

Whimsical Tijuana four-piece Loopdrop evoked Joy Division, Kraftwerk, and early Stereolab on guitar and an array of vintage keyboards.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkuCJdhClyM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiVabdaqrh0

The late ‘90s are also back in Tijuana.

Celofan made me feel like a quixotic high school freshman at the Epicenter again. Reminded of Sunny Day Real Estate, Cold Weather Rescue, and “Daydream Nation”-era Sonic Youth, I had the sudden compulsion to write fumbled love notes on Myspace to a shy brunette in heavy-handed eyeliner who smokes Kamel Reds and always wears the same beat pair of black Converse low-tops.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHQI-VCLZmg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eZdmsg21x4

TJ indie shoegazers Shantelle closed with their hit single “Unamonos.” The music video is one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen and captures (and probably informs) the Tijuana aesthetic perfectly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkQVtQCj3Ig

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J0g4p71jlk

Around midnight, I headed to Revolucion and Sexta to catch my roommate Mawkus playing a Club Purple night at a minimalist hole-in-the-wall called Indie Go.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcSCn6V-Q_U

Look to the next installment of Party Crasher for the all the sucio details.

For now, check out some photos taken by Julio M. Romero.