Picture some of your favorite underground artists going to an exquisite island in the Caribbean with roughly 2,000 attendees. A very personal feeling and a dream come true, does not even begin to define the experience I had in Saint Marten. SXMusic Festival 2016 concluded the first edition of its 5-day music escapade last month and it was an experience like no other. It was a magical, musical journey that I would describe as heavenly. The island was filled with smiling faces, underground music lovers, burners, free spirits and overall extreme positive energy. Located in the gorgeous island of Saint Marten, the festival featured many different artists such as Behrouz, Dubfire, Maceo Plex, Yokoo, Lee Burridge, Lauren Lane, Jamie Jones, Patrick Topping, Kenny Glasgow, Adriatique and DJ Tennis, playing in 7 different sites across the island. Many of the daytime events were located at Palm Beach in Orient Bay. To say that the set-up at Palm Beach was exquisite would be an understatement. The main outdoor stage resembled a large hut, while the surrounding areas looked like a postcard.
There were some events that really stuck out to me so I´ll include those in my personal highlights. Maceo Plex at Tantra, Lee Burridge and Yokoo at Layla’s Beach Bar for the sunrise party, Lauren Lane at Palm Beach, Jamie Jones at Orient Beach, and Dubfire’s intense, deep and dark closing set. The spirit at Layla’s Beach Bar for Lee Burridge and Yokoo, was vibrant, the music was blissful, and it was an enclave of the festival’s best and most unique fashion. I had the pleasure of meeting Yokoo and Lee Burridge at the end of the sunrise party on Sunday and they were both nothing short of kind, humble and sincere. Lee Burridge gave me a hug and it was then that I decided I am heading straight to Miami, even if it is just for 1 day, after SXM for the Miami Music Week: Do Not Sit by the Ocean party to see Lee and Yokoo again.
Overall, the festival was great and even better in my book since it was the first iteration of it. The weather was rainy here and there, but that didn’t stop any of us from enjoying our hearts out. I thought everything was awesome and I will absolutely be returning next year, this time with even more friends. I cannot wait for next year and thank you SXM for providing countless and everlasting memories for myself and all the others who got to experience it.
“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…It’s about learning to dance in the rain.” — Vivian Greene
Ciao!
-T&P
(Photo courtesy of Shawhin Saebi)
Techno & Pizza 