Kick Off 2017 in Playa del Carmen With Largest BPM Festival Ever

Jordan Bailey

BPM Festival in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, has become known as an expansive, interesting and innovative, and will take place Jan. 6 -15, when the streets, sands, and clubs of this intimate Mexican village will be overrun with die hard electronic fans from all over the world.

But the music at BPM, which stands for Bartenders, Promoters and Managers/Musicians and was originally designed as a hospitality industry showcase, is not like your typical electronic fest. There will be about 375 artists performing at the upcoming BPM event, some yet to be heard on the popular festival scene. Organizers have promised acts that have not been seen on this side of the world before. Though this year’s lineup is set to feature headliners Dubfire, Seth Troxler, Hot Since 82, Gorgon City, Art Department, Jamie Jones and Loco Dice, there will be hundreds of other DJs and electronic music producers from the underground scene.

Another aspect that makes BPM unusual is that there’s not one finite area where the festival takes place. The entire town of Playa del Carmen will play host to the scene, that will take place in bars, clubs, and outdoor shows. Instead of the traditional festival food trucks, local restaurants and eateries will feed the hungry; instead of beer stalls, quaint bars lining the main drag of Quinto Avineda, or Fifth Avenue, will quench thirst.

The festival is expected to bring 70,000 attendees for the 2017 happenings, so area hotels have exploded in growth. The town has a boutique feel when huge events like BPM, spring break or deep summer aren’t in session, so there are plenty of modern boutique style hotels in the heart of the town. Those looking for a refuge from the hype of daily events could try the Blue Parrot, a modern, jungle-centric oasis right at the foot of Quinto. Within seconds one can go from a peaceful nap out onto the streets where the biggest party in Playa awaits. Reina Roja is right in the heart of town and drips with deep red lights and green vegetation atop trendy rooms. The rooftop pool offers views of Playa amid the colorful lights of the hotel. Be Playa Hotel also has a rooftop pool. As a contemporary respite, Be Playa showcases modern design aesthetics with cozy lounges throughout; and fear not, there will be DJ’s spinning on the rooftop as you soak up the Caribbean sun.

BPM is, if you will, a festival’s festival that’s become just as much a part of Playa as the locals themselves. The growth of this seaside Mexican town can in part be credited to BPM itself, which launched 10 years ago. “What’s really nice is that for us as BPM it almost feels like we grew up together,” said Alessandra Axelsson, festival director of operations.

BPM Festival will take place from Jan. 6 – 15 in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo. Ticket information is here.