Grant Medeiros, the San Francisco DJ and promoter known as DJ Skip, whose long-running New Wave City dance party became a fixture of the city’s nightlife, has died after a long illness.
Steve Indig, his longtime collaborator and fellow co-founder, announced Medeiros’ death in a post to the New Wave City community on Friday, April 10, saying Medeiros died that morning in Portland, Ore., where he had lived for more than a decade.
“We last saw him at New Wave City in March 2025, playing some of his favorite New Wave tracks for the dance floor, as he had done for 33 years,” Indig wrote. “He revealed before that visit that he had been dealing with a rare blood cancer, for what is now 9 years ago. Even a year ago, the disease and its treatment was taking their toll on him, but he was happy to be in the midst of the people and environment he loved.”
Medeiros and Indig started New Wave City in 1992 as an ’80s alternative dance night inspired by San Francisco’s early club scene. Over the years, it grew into one of the city’s most durable parties, drawing generations of fans with its mix of new wave classics, themed nights and welcoming atmosphere.
According to the New Wave City website, the event focused on alternative dance music from the late 1970s and early 1980s, with tributes to acts including Depeche Mode, the Cure, New Order, Duran Duran and Siouxsie and the Banshees.
The parties also featured vintage visuals, guest DJs and special events that helped build a loyal following.
In his post, Indig said New Wave City grew out of conversations the two had while planning a themed DJ night. Medeiros, who had immersed himself in San Francisco’s club culture in the early 1980s, pushed for a party centered on the new wave era.
Their first event was held at the former I-Beam nightclub on Haight Street.
The party endured far longer than either founder expected. In a 2012 Chronicle story marking New Wave City’s 20th anniversary, Indig said he and Medeiros created the event because “we really liked to go out, but didn’t care for most of the DJ club scene in ’92.”
Medeiros told The Chronicle then: “I feel like the Peter Pan of new wave.”
Indig remembered Medeiros for his sense of style, from skinny ties and band T-shirts to costumes, wigs and, on one occasion, a full Boy George costume.
“Skip remained a private person even to me, and in some ways, I did not know him well,” Indig wrote. “We spent a lot of time and energy together producing New Wave City, and having fun at the event each month. We gave each other grace, never quarreled, and supported each other.”