Saint Martin/Sint Maarten, one of the world’s most beautiful and culturally diverse island locales, it also happens to be the location for SXM Festival, gathering many of the top names in the underground techno and house scene. Imagine being invited but not able to go; this is hard to write.
Since its debut back in 2016, SXM Festival has remained focused on booking lineups that showcase a mix of legendary names and emerging acts alike from far-reaching corners of the globe. Some of clubland’s most celebrated selectors and live acts descend on Saint Martin / Sint Maarten annually to play for one of the most loyal and engaged communities of music fans and global party nomads in the world. The result is a breeding ground for musical experimentation and discovery eclipsed only by the beauty of the festival’s host location.
This year, SXM Festival will once again bring together many of the top names in the European scene. Attendees can look forward to the famed zeitgeist of Chilean-born minimal icon Ricardo Villalobos, Innervisions co-founders Âme, and live performance extraordinaire Jan Blomqvist. Other standouts include Life and Death label boss Dj Tennis, veteran German producer Steve Bug, multi-instrumentalist Chloé Caillet, and Copenhagen live trio WhoMadeWho.
The lineup also features celebrated acts from around the globe including the legendary Dubfire, Canadian favorite Blond:ish, Israeli star Chaim, and Grammy-nominated producer Danny Tenaglia. Phase one is rounded out by a diverse mix of veteran and rising names like Carlita, Behrouz, Sonja Moonear, Hoj, YokoO, Amine K, Raresh, Emanuel Satie, and more.
Ove 5 days, attendees (not us though) will be effortlessly navigating secluded beaches, lush jungle dancefloors, stunning villas, boat parties, and beach clubs – from sunrise to sunset. This unique party format is what sets SXM Festival apart from other destination festivals, guiding attendees through an eclectic mix of music, culture, and travel throughout their time in paradise.
Crucially, SFX recognises the need for a deep connection with the cultural and ecological fabric of the beautiful host locale of Saint Martin / Sint Maarten. Spawned in 2019 to help encourage the prosperity and health of the island following the devastating Hurricane Irma, SXM Festival created a partnership with SXM Doet, the largest volunteer initiative in Saint Martin / Sint Maarten and the Dutch Kingdom.
Attendees are also encouraged to take a break from the party and meet the locals and other travelers, while offering their service to the island at specific, sponsored projects. Past projects have included beach cleanups, playground builds, and basketball court maintenance, with this year’s charitable action initiatives to be announced in the months to come.
SXM Festival is also dedicated to leaving a smaller footprint and helping replenish natural environments. With initiatives that include going paperless, saving energy with LED and solar lights, and eliminating plastic waste throughout the festival, it is the mission of SXM Festival to become increasingly sustainable throughout their growth. The festival also has a no trace policy: every venue is transformed to be more beautiful at the end of each event. A Greener Festival auditors form an orderly queue…behind me.
Full line up info here . I’ll just close that tab now…
