Between New York’s record-setting blizzards and temperamental temperature swings the past few months, we couldn’t physically be any more excited about ditching the city for warmer ventures at SXMusic Festival this week.
Taking place amongst the idyllic settings of the Caribbean island of Saint Martin, SXMusic is the latest and greatest boutique electronic music festival of the moment. With a particularly European flair in its house and techno-focused lineup, the event promises five days and nights of killer talent and unforgettable locales across a series of venues on the island. From abandoned farms and waterfalls to beach bars and nightclubs, SXMusic’s venue itinerary reads like a fabulous Stefón sketch with experiences not offered anywhere else.
With approximately five parties each day, there’s no shortage of big names—Jamie Jones, Dubfire, and Maceo Plex are all confirmed—and buzzworthy acts for shufflers to explore. Looking to delve beyond the techno titans this week? You’re in luck! Here are DJ Times’ picks for the five acts you simply can’t miss this week at SXMusic Festival.
Lauren Lane
Considering her stranglehold on tech-house dancefloors over the past few months, it’s only fitting for the distorted vocal sample on her track “Diary Of A Madwoman” to ask, “Does the world revolve around no one but you?” Taken from her EP of the same name (out now on Edible), the track has been a dancefloor explosive that’s seen plays by everyone from Eats Everything to Marco Carola.
The New York native is no slouch behind the decks herself, routinely crushing crowds with her uncanny knack for set programming and selection. Whether she’s dropping tech bombs in the jungles of Tulum, Mexico during The BPM Festival or reviving 1980s synthpop classics at Washington, DC’s Soundcheck, Lane’s a formidable force in the scene. Catch her at Paradise on Palm Beach on March 12.
Sleepy & Boo
New York City’s favorite married DJ duo is briefly ditching the Northeast winter for a week in the tropics, and we couldn’t be more excited. As the force behind Basic’s ace parties, the pair knows how to keep the vibes going all night long—of which their consistent America’s Best DJ nominations are proof—and there’s no doubt they’ll be putting that skill to good use down in Saint Martin.
Over the past year, Mike & Begońa have caught the production bug, raising their profile even further amongst tastemakers with releases on Nervous Records, Quanticman Records, and Savoir Faire Musique. Most recently, they’ve dropped “Awareness,” a glowing two-tracker on Moulton Records.
Don’t miss them in Tantra’s side room at Maceo Plex’s Ellum night party on Friday.
Blond:ish
We caught up with the Canadian duo last month to chat about the creation of their debut Kompakt LP Welcome To The Present, but these techno ladies have kept busy since its release this past October. While their album reached far beyond the confines of a 4/4 beat, their sets have no problem keep clubbers’ feet moving while they’re being taken on a transcendental Playa-Tech journey. Head to Nirvana with the girls at the Get Physical showcase at Tantra on March 9 or at Sky Beach on March 11.
Apollonia
As the supergroup comprised of French tastemakers Dan Ghenacia, Dyed Soundorom, and Shonky, Apollonia has served as the flag bearer for the groovy side of house’s deeper end since the trio’s release of Tour á tour in 2014. Known for their all-night back-to-back-to-back sets and irresistible basslines, the Frenchmen have become an unstoppable movement taking over clubs around the world.
For now, the pair’s gearing up for the release of a three-part remix EP series on !K7 and their own Apollonia Music imprint this month, giving fans new takes on tracks from their LP from acts like The Martinez Brothers, Hold Youth, and more. SXM attendees: don’t miss their party with Djebali and Amir Javasoul at Le Shore on Saturday, March 12.
Danny Daze
He may be a Miami native, but the Omnidisc head honcho’s work has influences reaching far beyond the clubs of South Beach. Delving into sonic territory that touches upon Italo Disco, Detroit techno, and just about everything in between, Daze’s productions have become certified weapons through their releases on top-notch labels like Ellum, Ultramajic, and Hot Crations.
With an impending release on Kompakt due later this spring, Daze is leaving no time wasted with the recent drop of his Miami five-tracker on his own Omnidisc imprint. Catch him at either the Ellum day party at Palm Beach or night throwdown at Tantra on Friday, March 11.
Feeling preemptive FOMO? Grab last-minute tickets at SXMusicFestival.com
