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BPM FESTIVAL PREVIEW

Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, Friday 4th – Sunday 13th January

We all set ourselves impossible targets at the end of each year. If we had a dollar for every time we heard someone say “I've quit” to see them puffing on a tar stick in the smoking area of Fabric on Friday night, we'd be richer than Richard Branson. Our advice — to save disappointment — leave pointless promises well alone.

One New Year's resolution you should make, however, is to attend BPM Festival, returning on 4th January to the gloriously tropical climes of Mexico's stunning coastline region, Playa Del Carmen, for its sixth edition. Originally conceived as the industry's chance to escape the grind of constant travelling and endless late nights, by offering a series of beachside parties in paradise with plenty of downtime, it's evolved into a fully-fledged festival bearing possibly the longest line-up of underground dance talent we've ever laid eyes on each year. It's only getting bigger, too.

Once again, there's an alphabetic list longer than a donkey's ding-dong, still growing, so far stretching from Art Department to Wolf + Lamb, while debutants come in the form of Benoit & Sergio, Carl Cox, Dixon, Eats Everything, Henrik Schwarz, Justin Martin, Luciano, Maceo Plex, Nicole Moudaber, Sasha, Sven Väth, Tale Of Us and The Martinez Brothers.

Taking over various venues of a tourist-friendly fishing town on the Mayan Riviera, label showcases from the most respected players in the game will make up the programme day and night.

In the sunshine, Cécille, Culprit, Leftroom. No.19, Dirtybird, Toolroom and My Favorite Robot are just a few of the imprints manning the music at daytime soirees at beach bar Canibal Royal, poolside main arena Kool Beach Club and whatever other classy spots the organisers will unveil this time around. Meanwhile after dark, the likes of Apollonia, Cadenza, Circoloco, Cocoon, Crosstown Rebels, Desolat, Hot Creations and Innervisions (the list goes on!) are the promotional forces responsible for parties at The Blue Parrot and La Santanera, among others.

Starting a few days later than previous years, which launched on NYE, BPM is the perfect way to get into the swing of the new year and inevitably break those good intentions in style...

WE ASKED BPM'S DJS TO TELL US THEIR NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION...

RICHIE HAWTIN

“To have an even better year in 2013 than 2012... and 2012 was a killer! We're coming back to BPM as it's the perfect place to disappear to after an intense NYE and regroup with like-minded friends, recuperate and then have a bit of a party all together... reminiscing about the previous year and dreaming about the one to come!”

LEE BURRIDGE

“To come up with better answers for interviews! After NYE, I am heading to BPM Festival for the fifth year now and I am excited to play the new tracks Matthew [Dekay] and I are working on for our All Day I Dream party on the lovely beach as the sun sets. Bliss!”

CASSY

“To not have any resolutions and be myself as much as possible. Right after NYE, I am most excited about DJing with Sasha at BPM.”

NICOLE MOUDABER

“I keep saying it every year… STOP SMOKING! It'll be my first time at BPM and I am really looking forward to hanging out with the promoters and DJs, discovering the local hideouts, people, food and sun rays. Nos Vemos en Enero 2013!”

STACEY PULLEN

“To make more money and spend less money and continue on the road of excellent health and prosperity. I'm very excited to head to BPM again and get away from the cold winter snowy city that is Detroit.”