BPM 2016 REVIEW
We Canadians got hit with a severely low dollar so paying the equivalent of $80-$100CAD for events that were lacking in such basics as sufficient bathroom tissue and capacity controls really stung this time.
BPM always delivers musically and with over 300 djs and 70 showcases you are almost certainly assured of discovering new talents. Kim Ann Foxman was brilliant at the Pet Recordings showcase, with her very deep record collection that went as far back as Severed Heads - All Saints Day. I also got to experience a respectfully decent warm-up set by Eagles and Butterflies during the Bedrock showcase, right before John Digweed arguably dropped one of the top sets at BPM. Other standouts for me included H.O.S.H (Diynamic), Matador (Enter), Victor Calderone and Alan Fitzpatrick (Drumcode), Chris Liebing (Danny Tenaglia & More), Solomun (Solomun+1) and Oliver Huntemann & Joseph Capriati (Sci+Tec).
Perhaps the most stunning and poignant moment at BPM was Danny Tenaglia opening with a haunting version of David Bowie's Lets Dance. Fittingly, several djs paid their respects to the iconic artist with Bowie samples and tracks throughout the festival.
So with such great programming and friendly and beautiful underground music lovers revelling in idyllic Playa Del Carmen what could possibly go wrong?
Overcapacity. Overcapacity at BPM is quickly becoming synonymous with the festival itself. Either it is attributed to logistical miscalculations or just flat out greed but one has to think that the latter is more likely the root cause. Enter, Sci-Tec and Solomun+1 were particularly problematic and it really is a shame as some of the other important elements required for a successful festival are there.
Then there is the issue of the VIP wristband processing time as I read on Facebook that waits were five hours at peak. Friends of mine also confirmed that it was taking up to 15 minutes for individual processing, which is far too long for any festival, let alone one where a significant number of its attendees have to fly into the host country.
While BPM managed to hit a home run with the new jungle venue, with its massive tent, fast minivan shuttles to and fro, and extensive food court area, the festival struck out with its other venues. This is mostly due to dancefloor-encroaching bottle service tables at Blue Parrot and the new dancefloor-smothering bar and tables at Canibal Royal. Martina Beach was valiantly created by BPM to replace Mamitas but the puzzling layout and overcrowding meant trying to get to the washroom was an adventure in itself. Also, dancing in the sun and sand all day warrants some sit-down areas that Martina sorely lacked compared to its predecessor. And not being able to retain Coco Maya and Lost nightclubs have also severely hampered the festival.
At this point it is not safe to say these issues will not fall on deaf ears. The music, the crowd and even the right city and country is already in place. But without sufficient, well-designed venues, without the option to mail those vip wristbands to BPM attendees and most importantly, without controlling its penchant for greed, the festival will sadly never reach elite festival status.
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quote: | Originally posted by Ravemontreal
Once I took a piss in front of everybody at Stereo. Put the garbage under the mixer, and did it right there while people were dancing and screaming. people thought I was playing with the mixer but I was playing with my zizi. |
quote: | Originally posted by Enjoy
a classic from the aria days:
me: are you on TA?
girl: uhhhh... im on speed
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Last edited by Spin Laden on Jan-21-2016 at 05:00
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