On Friday evening we again returned to Blue Parrot in the evening for some more A - list DJ action. Definitely a sign of the growing stature of the BPM Festival among the world's electronic music festivals, two DJ titans were in attendance to cause another roadblock on the beachfront. Label cohort Tini warmed the crowd as she has done on so many occasions for the Desolat boss Loco Dice and Marco Carola. Although booked for separate sets, the pair naturally continued on the path as they have done over the past months by playing back to back. The coming together of styles certainly makes for an enthralling set with that brilliant locomotive tech-house sound from Dice blending effortlessly with the underground techno that defines Carola's output. Another big night to be chalked up on the BPM hall of fame ...
Down the street at La Santanera, The Cube Guys from Italy got the Friday crowd going with nonstop raucous house bangers inflected with an electronic edge. With all four hands on the decks, Roberto Intrallazzi and Luca Provera worked perfectly in tandem to keep spirits high and feet moving. King Louis from Montreal then took over to deliver thumping club beats and insanely addictive builds, getting the crowd to anticipate his every beat.
DAY 7
Brahma once again had a line up that oozed class. DJ Neno laid some solid foundations in the ever important opening set. Handing over the Frenchman Paul Ritch who set about conducting a set filled with his signature electro infused techno sound. Paul has been hot property for a number of years, and he showed the BPM crowd why with a wonderfully rhythmic set packed with harmony that works so effortlessly on the dancefloor.
Up next was Spanish sensation Paco Osuna, who through his output on his label Mindshake, and now the legendary Plus 8, has made quite a name for himself in some of the biggest clubs across the globe. The depth of his production have been truly breathtaking, and he has backed this up consistently with his DJ sets. He was on fire again here in Playa del Carmen, and shook the foundations of Brahma to the ground over the course of his three hour tenure in the booth.
The dancefloor over at La Santanera was meanwhile shaking to a smooth and sexy house set by Doc Martin. Spinning classics like Al Green's "Here I Am" with chilled-out grooves, the Los Angeles-based DJ showed the BPM crowd why he's a staple at the world's most prestigious clubs (New York's former Twilo and Liverpool's Cream just to name a few). He set the mood for Montreal's Jojo Flores, who commanded the dancefloor with more sexy, soulful house infused with Latin rhythms. The Gotsoul Records CEO and founder of the worldwide Therapy parties has been called the "Mixtape King" so it's no surprise that he so effortlessly gets the crowd moving. Then San Francisco's DJ extraordinaire and City Deep label owner Halo took over, playing hynoptic deep house to close out the night.
DAY 6
On the sixth day in this paradise Caribbean location BPM took it back to the underground. Down at Mamita's beach, Culprit and No.19 Music, two of the most exciting record labels to come out of California and Toronto respectively went head to head in the first of what is set to be an annual sandy sunset showdown. With the DJ booth literally set up on the beachfront, the crowd at Mamita's could either lounge on sunbeds or stomp on the beach to some sensuous deep house and techy vibes. Label heads Nitin and Johnny White (No.19) and Droog (Culprit) were on hand with some outstanding sets. Johnny White's partner in crime as Art Department also swung by with a solo set, as did the occasional production partners Sergio Santos and Tanner Ross. It was a veritable feast of an underground line-up, and one that was rounded off superbly by Lee Foss, the Los Angeles based producer and DJ that has had huge success both independently and as one half of Hot Natured with Jamie Jones. Lee served a brilliant blend of liquid, libidinous house and techno that was a perfect accompaniment to the sun setting over horizon.
Following on from their legendary 2010 party, Air London once again returned with none other than Simon Baker and Nick Curly. La Santanera this time played host to this exciting duo and like last year, the crowd were ready for a full on tech-house rave-fest. Nitin, fresh from his set at Mamita's warmed a suitably chilled club with a variety of disco-y tech house bangers. By 2am Nick Curly had taken control and his awesome 'Mannheim' sound that has fuelled his meteoric rise over the last few years resonated around the club. Sublime mixing and even more impressive tunes were on offer and the crowd certainly were appreciative. Rounding off the night was UK based producer and DJ Simon Baker who kept the energy levels up throughout his 2hour tenure in the booth. Again, the finest Tech house was served up as the stomped their way through a blistering set.
Across the road at Brahma Spaniards Chus & Ceballos were on hand with their dark, hard and tribal 'Iberican sound'. With fans throughout the DJ fraternity, and notably one Danny Tenaglia, the Spaniards of one of the most in demand production and DJ duos currently plying their trade. No wonder they have remixed songs for Madonna, Paris Hilton, Luzon and Deep Dish. Their three hour set was one to remember, and the energetic crowd were extremely responsive to their sound. By 3am it was time for Boris to get in the mix with his sound that combines big drums, big riffs, huge build-ups and lots of energy. He certainly made Brahma 'believe' as he does regularly at his Pacha and Space Miami residencies.
DAY 5
Day five of the BPM festival saw one of dance music's big players arrive in Playa del Carmen for what will hopefully be the first set of many. However, before the evening kicked off, Kool beach witnessed perhaps one of its busiest days to date. Following some sublime mixing from Lauren Lane and Michelangelo in the mid afternoon sun, the BPM organisers put on a special treat that saw people fill the beach front to the brim. Continuing the antics of the proceeding night, Davide Squillace and Dubfire stepped up to the turntables and played a mesmerising set. The daytime crowd danced until sunset and beyond, and we are sure the party would have kept going if there had not been a curfew on the noise!
It was apparent how busy Blue Parrot was set to be due to the queues for tickets during the day at Kool Beach. The scheduling of one Richie Hawtin served as the catalyst for a shoulder to shoulder dancefloor at the sand filled club. The legendary DJ took to the decks following an impressive warm up by Julien Loreto. After a year of live touring under his infamous Plastikman moniker, Richie proved that his skills as a DJ were as sharp as ever. For the remainder of the night he kept anticipation high as he crafted his way through a set filled with pumping techno. It was certainly a night that will go down in history here at the BPM festival.
Brahma meanwhile saw Grammy-winning house DJ David Morales slay the dancefloor with catchy club beats and booty-shaking Latin rhythms. The accomplished DJ, who co-owned the legendary Stereo club in Montreal and currently owns and operates Def Mix Productions representing Frankie Knuckles, Satoshi Tomile and Hector Romero, has a 25-year track record of getting people on their feet and is one of the most prolific remixers of all time. So it's only natural that, with style and skill, the superstar DJ from Brooklyn kept the BPM Festival crowd dancing all night.
DAY 4
Kool beach hosted another off the hook daytime party yesterday with a veritable feast of a line up. New Yorker Serge Devant was on hand to with the afternoon slot as he injected some electro tinged progressive house into a packed out beach bar. The man has been on fire over the last couple of years with his beautiful blends of breath-taking vocal pieces and tight production skills giving birth to a number of big releases. And he was in fine form as he laid solid foundations for Miami's favourite adopted Frenchman Cedric Gervais. At last year's BPM party Cedric rocked Kool beach, and it was a yet more exciting display this year as he brought his high energy music to Playa del Carmen. It was happy clubbers all around as people partied until the very last tune.
Over at Canibal Royal the BPM Festival team demonstrated their versatility and determination to keep the party alive. With Mr.C unable to make the festival (hopefully next year!), Lee Burridge was on hand to rock the three floors of this truly awesome venue. Canibal Royal is certainly becoming one of the new favourites with the BPM faithful. It may have something to do with the roof-top hot-tubs, hammocks and day-beds giving that truly beach party vibe!
At Brahma one of last year's highlight acts returned with another tour de force; Dubfire once again brought his jet-black polished-chrome techno to Playa del Carmen. It was already a hot and sweaty affair in the club as DC-10 favourite Davide Squillace displayed a master-class behind the decks in preparation for Sci+Tec boss Dubfire, who as last year blew the BPM crowd away. Rounding off the night was Toronto native Carlo Lio who played a typically effortless sexy, hypnotic, and techy set that kept the dancefloor packed until the very last moment.
Meanwhile, the stunning ladies of Montreal's BLOND:ISH traded off with each other to provide slick, sensual beats at La Santanera. Their swanky cool, techy house perfectly complimented the club's plush interior -- quilted red velvet walls included. Vivie-Ann and Anstascia joined their fans in BLOND:ISH T-shirts in dancing along to their own thumping bass and intoxicating builds. Fellow Montreal native Uppercut then took over, promising to bring the sounds of his city to the BPM Festival. And he certainly delivered, playing a distinctively energetic house set with thunderous club beats. It's no surprise that this accomplished DJ has worked with the likes of David Guetta and Tiesto and spun at the biggest dance music events in the world, as his ability to conquer crowd and keep everyone on their feet is up there with the best.
DAY 3
Day three in the idyllic Playa del Carmen in the Mayan Riviera and as usual there was a plethora of the finest DJ talent in town. Kool beach played host to two of BPM's favourite artists; Craig Pettigrew and Space Miami head-honcho and club pioneer Louis Puig. An afternoon of the finest house music ensued, with the party drawing in thousands of clubbers from people up and down the beach and surrounding areas.
A new venue for BPM is Canibal Royal, which was the backdrop to the second daytime party. Mexico's most internationally renowned imprint Akbal Music held their 4th year anniversary at the quirky beach bar. Leading the line was none other than imprint owner Robbie Akbal, alongside Muan, Miguel Puente and Fredo – all of whom proceeded to demonstrate why Akbal Music is at the forefront of underground house music currently emanating from Mexico.
And as if one party was not enough, Robbie Akbal was then at La Santanera as he warmed the main room in preparation for Canadian Sean Miller. Further building on his residencies at Boa and Sonic in Toronto, Sean picked up where he left off at BPM 2010 with yet more of the cutting edge underground beats that are fast propelling him up the towards the major leagues of dance music. Following him in the heaving main-room was none other than Lee Burridge, who served up his signature slick deep breaky house sound that has made him a firm favourite in the USA and his native UK.
Over at Blue Parrot Beach Club, Toronto's Adam K mastered the decks with his characteristic emotional progressive house, uplifting builds, and bone shaking bass. It's no surprise that th Hotbox Digital label founder has earned the respect of the international underground -- his impeccable technique included dropping "Missing" by Everything But The Girl just as rain began to sprinkle from the sky. Then BPM Festival first-timer and headliner Laidback Luke started to an enthusiastic audience, kicking off with the gritty, glitchy Dutch house he's famous for. Owner of Mixmash Records, which releases music for some of the world's most established artists as well as newly discovered talent, Laidback Luke proved his status as one of the current leaders of electronic dance music, with his melodic tracks and relentlessly pulsating beats keeping festival goers dancing all night long.
DAY 2
The first day of the new year brought hotter weather and hence Kool beach was packed to the nines with the bar and surrounding beaches filled with a mixture of party goers still out from NYE, and also those fresh from the plane. Providing the initial musical backdrop was a selection of rising DJs from Playa del Carmen and Mexico; both Roger van der Veer and Mike Montano proceeded to turn out the deep house grooves as people enjoyed the drinks and food on offer from the beach bar. Warming up for the evening's session was BPM favourite DJ Neno, who turned in another fine set – don't worry if you missed him, as he will be playing again this week; hardly surprising considering his tune selection!
Playa del Carmen is certainly busier than usual in 2011. And it is due to the fact that the festival is throwing two parties every night! Spoilt for choice once again, clubbers had to decide between two parties that provided the cream of DJ talent from both sides of the Atlantic. At Brahma, America's Saeed Younan and Behrouz were on hand to rock what must have been one of Playa del Carmen's most packed venues to date! As ever, Behrouz proved that he is still very much on point with his mixing ability as he drew on a multitude of styles to create a pastiche of set. Saeed Younan's inaugural set here at BPM was typically astounding, drawing on his technical abilities He served up a seamless blend of house, tech-house, and tribal.
Across the road La Santanera was hosted by the legendary Kompakt Records. Typically, label head-honcho Michael Mayer was on hand delivering the signature 'Cologne' sound that the imprint has become synonymous with pushing. The self titled mix of minimalism, melody, and melancholy, was delivered with notable aplomb as Michael Mayer joined forces with Superpitcher under their 'Supermayer' moniker. The duowere on typical form with the intimate club heaving as the underground sounds rattled through the immense sound system. Also present was Rebolledo, who along with Superpitcher forms the collaborative project 'Pachanga Boys'. This set the scene nicely for all three artists to play back to back as the two projects effortlessly merged together to produce a breathtaking display. Another typical night here at the BPM Festival, and the week is still it's infancy!
DAY 1
The 2011 BPM Festival opened with a bang a day earlier than usual, ensuring New Years Eve in Playa del Carmen received the full festival treatment. Proceedings kicked off down at the legendary Kool Beach where the festival continued to support local DJ talent. Both Sandra Mmushka and Mar-C warmed the crowd through the morning and lunchtime spots as festival goers got into the groove as the sun hit beamed down on the lush sand and beach-side pool. By the time Muan finished behind the decks the venue was entranced with his style of music, which is fitting considering the Akbal Music producer first fell in love with house music here in Playa del Carmen at the legendary Espiral parties. Rounding off proceedings was BPM stalwart Julien Loreto who demonstrated why he is such a favourite not only in his native Toronto, but also at the festival. The opening day at Kool Beach certainly set the bar high for the rest of the week, and this was certainly continued as the night-time festivities got underway.
As testament to the ongoing popularity of the event here in Mexico, one only had to witness the thousands of people that formed a human roadblock in the streets surrounding the infamous Blue Parrot club. With tickets having been sold out in advance, dance music aficionados queued in the hope that they would get access to the biggest party in town for NYE. With the sand at their feet clubbers were served up an awesome blend of progressive house and techno which carried a distinct central and South American twist. Playa del Carmen inhabitant Omar Labastida had the crowd grooving as he drew on a long history of North American house influences and served up a pumping and delightful mix. Following Omar was Buenos Aires native Niko Glenn who then took control. It was hard to remove the smile from his face as he increased the energy in all corners of club. Niko's style allowed for a perfect segue into the headliners set; that of Argentinean powerhouse Hernan Cattaneo. Typically, Hernan delivered an exciting progressive house set stamped with his unique style that has made him a household name for many years. A perfect start to a week of sun and beats here in Playa del Carmen ...
