BPM 2012 Recap: A 10 Day Extravaganza To Usher in the New Year

The BPM’s 10 day electronic music festival in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico ushered in the new year with a bang. Marking its five year anniversary, this was the biggest and best yet. With its star-studded line-up of global DJ’s, BPM was a non-stop marathon of great music, good vibes, beautiful beaches and fun parties. What better way to welcome 2012?

Most days offered up two to three day parties at  Kool Beach Club, Canibal Royal Beach Club or Mamitas Beach Club. There were also two to three night events to check out each evening at Blue Parrot, La Santanera or Pink Elephant. While the day parties would go from noon to about 8pm they came alive around 4pm each day. Nighttime parties began at 11pm but would be in full swing by 1am and last until 6am. On New Year’s Eve, Danny Tenaglia spun one of his marathon sets at Blue Parrot from 4am to 4pm! Every party was filled with techno loving revelers whom were there for the sole purpose of dancing to the beats of the hottest DJ’s.

 Festival Highlights

Best Night Party – Ritchie Hawtin’s techno heavy set at Blue Parrot was out of this world.

Best Day Party – Lee Burridge & Matthew DeKay’s “All Day I Dream” party at Mamita’s. An Ibiza like experience, with the best crowd of the week and a dream like beach setting. Runner up – Steve Lawler’s surprise set Kool Beach. A fiesta of house/tribal/techno goodness!

Best Venue – Canibal Royal is a very relaxed, laid back, funky, retro style bar, restaurant and beach club right on the ocean’s edge. Great atmosphere and vibe for the BPM day parties, especially as the sun sets!

Worst Party – Mark Knight’s party at Kool Beach was like stepping into an episode of Jersey Shore! Will take a pass on that scene, thank you.

Most Out of Place DJ - Steve Angello is one of the biggest names in dance music right now but an odd choice for this festival. This festival brought in some of the best techno DJ’s around, why choose to host the mainstream, anthem loving Angello?

Other fun parties include Heidi’s set at La Santanera and the surprise Ritch Hawtin vs. Dubfire set at Kool Beach.

The event was a major success! Kudos to the BPM folks that work hard at making this THE new premiere dance music festival. In Budget Jetset’s opinion, BPM is the new Winter Music Conference (WMC) and in one of the most amazing locations. The gorgeous backdrop of Playa Del Carmen only makes it that much better. Looking forward to seeing how they top themselves in 2013!