The BPM Festival: A must-visit house and techno family affair
The BPM Festival returns to Portimão, Portugal from September 12 to 15
“The beauty of The BPM Festival is this family thing,” The BPM Festival regular Loco Dice says. It's an apt summary of The BPM experience.
Hot Since 82 echoes Loco Dice’s opinion of BPM: “Any DJ in electronic music, house or techno, is here and it's a family affair as well."
The BPM Festival started in Playa del Carmen in Mexico in 2008, first and foremost as a way of bringing together industry professionals for a small-scale boogie. It quickly became a go-to destination for fans of house and techno across the globe, also becoming a favourite of the likes of Nastia, Hot Since 82 and Nicole Moudaber. Now it resides in Portimão, Portugal, with an Israel edition coming in September 2019 and a Costa Rica edition locked in for 2020.
The move to Portugal was made in 2017, with the stunning coastal town of Portimão in the Algarve region decided to be the perfect location. The area is blessed with a long stretch of golden beach - Praia da Rocha - often recognised as one of the finest in the Algarve and the perfect spot for the friends and family vibe BPM aims to create.
“It's one of the best locations for the festival. Nowadays, BPM is just part of the culture,” Nastia says.
Leading up to its third year in the Algarve, BPM organisers have made the decision to throw every single one of the festival’s parties - day and night - on the beach. And who would blame them with two top-class beach venues in Blanco Beach Club and NoSoloÁgua. Just some of the names playing here include Maceo Plex, Joseph Capriati, Carl Craig, Jamie Jones, Marco Carola, Seth Troxler, Patrick Topping, Honey Dijon, Stephan Bodzin (live), The Martinez Brothers, with recent additions including Francesca Lombardo, Dyed Soundorom and Melé.
Obviously it wouldn’t be BPM without its signature selection of label takeovers and showcases. Just some with parties include Jamie Jones’ Paradise, Solardo’s Sola, Adam Beyer’s Drumcode, Loco Dice’s Desolat, Carl Craig’s Detroit Love, Spain’s Dreambeach and Maceo Plex’s ELLUM.
If you decide to take a break from partying, Portimão provides loads of respite in the form of water sports, cave tours and sightseeing around the old fishing docks. There are also easy links to various historical villages and cities such as Tavira, Loulé, Silves and Lagos.
If that’s not enough to tempt you, maybe the words of Nicole Moudaber will: "BPM is freedom. Being in the sun, celebrating music."
Head to The BPM Festival’s website for information and tickets and see the full line-up below.
