Ten minutes from campus, on Feb. 7 from 7 to 11 p.m, electronic basslines carried across the San Antonio River as beams of neon lights roved around the concrete arches of Confluence Park.
At “Sonic Transmission,” music and visuals transformed the public park into a hub for electronic artists, digital creators and local vendors, attracting San Antonio locals and Trinity students alike for this quarterly event.
Since its first installation in May 2023, “Sonic Transmission” has returned to engage the public with contemporary arts, thanks to the San Antonio River Foundation’s “Art in the Open” Initiative. This month’s lineup featured DJ Sneaker of Dresden, Germany; Jobot of Minneapolis; and San Antonio artist BittyScorp, with visuals by OM.I.GOD.
For Sophia Gonzales, San Antonio local and junior urban studies and economics double-major, the event is much more than a night of music. As a previous intern for the San Antonio River Foundation, she first attended the event last summer, and said that it’s meant to bring people together.
The event also included local food and arts vendors, adding to the evening beyond music and projections. Past events have featured smash burgers, açai bowls and artists offering prints and crafts, contributing to what Gonzales described as an “inter-connected cultural atmosphere.”
Gonzales said the mix of DJs, projection art and familiar food spots created an atmosphere that feels less like a formal production and more like a community gathering. Because “Sonic Transmission” is free and open to all ages, Gonzales said the event often attracts park-goers who may not initially have planned to be there.
“Say there’s some guy who went out there just to go fishing,” Gonzales said. “And then suddenly he’s at this random event with cool vendors.”
To Gonzales, the visuals are what stand out the most. Watching the light work of “Sonic Transmission” regulars, like AB, Starfighter Matt and OM.I.GOD, transform the arches of Confluence Park adds another layer to the experience for the attendees.
“Your eyes are focused on something. Your ears are listening to the music. The space that you’re in — you’re feeling some sort of way,” Gonzales said. “The complete experience is really nice.”
One of the artists, DJ Sneaker, who requested to be referred to by his stage name for privacy reasons, brought in obscure Italo, new wave and minimal synth gems. He described his set as confident and daring, and that the structure of the park inspired his mood.
“It influenced my cheerful demeanor as I played,” DJ Sneaker wrote in an email. “And the San Antonio people didn’t let me down.”
As an artist travelling from Dresden, DJ Sneaker wrote that he approaches different cultural spaces thoughtfully.
“I try to avoid carrying owls to Athens,” he wrote. “So I play either European music or my own production — a personal take on American house music from Chicago.”
Gonzales said she enjoys house and techno music, and events like “Sonic Transmission” create a space for genres that can be harder to find at San Antonio venues. The event also allows her to discover others who share her musical interests, making the experience all the more meaningful.
“Sonic Transmission” takes place periodically as a part of the San Antonio River Foundation’s broader effort to activate the riverfront through public programming. For Gonzales, preparing for the event is straightforward and rooted in participation.
“Get a cute fit,” Gonzales said. “Bring money to support vendors. Good vibes.”
*This article was updated Feb. 18, 2026.
