Photos: Jay Demetillo

SAN FRANCISCO — Traditionally, at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, people embrace the mantra “New Year, New Me.” That may very well have been the case with the official grand opening of the San Francisco Armory as an event venue, as well as with most of the sold-out crowd that came to ring in 2017 with Justice. The French electronic duo, however, had different ideas.

Breaking in 2017 with old school hits and disco vibes that pulsated throughout the auditorium, Justice brought a retro feel to a new year. The duo kicked off its set just after the 2017 countdown with “1999,” the terrific track by one of the most influential artists who lost his life in 2016.

The crowd ate it up and fist-pumped and danced to other oldie hits, such as Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll,” The Pointer Sisters’ “I’m So Excited” and George Michael’s “Freedom.” As for Justice’s own songbook, the duo mixed in its own crowd-pleasing jams like “D.A.N.C.E.,” “Safe and Sound,” “Alakazam!,” “Stress” and “Waters of Nazareth.”

With a giant LED cross flickering across the ceiling, fog creeping through the crowd, and laser lights beaming across the auditorium, Justice made sure fans never forgot that that they rang in 2017 with them. DJs Mike Gushansky, Louisahhh and Sebastian followed Justice, keeping the crowd dancing until daybreak.