5 must-see acts at Mexico's non-stop Festival Carnaval De Bahidorá – Dancing Astronaut

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Words by Ben Jolley

Mexico’s non-stop jungle party Carnaval de Bahidorá returns to Las Estacas natural park for three days next week. Dancing Astronaut decided to head over there to see what all the fuss is about. Eight years since it started, it has become the country’s premiere music festival. 

Tucked away in the middle of the jungle, just over two hours outside of Mexico City, the paradisal location is made up of natural springs, palm trees, and greenery. But the crowd it draws is known for getting stuck in during the sunset to sunrise parties. 

So it makes sense that they’ve locked in DJ sets from Avalon Emerson, Palms Trax, Josey Rebelle, Chaos in the CBD, Masters at Work, and Move D, as well as live performances from Sudanese-American musician Sinkane, German producer Pantha Du Prince and Tennessee rapper BbyMutha. That’s all without mentioning a headline show from the legendary Erykah Badu. Sunday’s biggest draw will undoubtedly be reggae icon Sister Nancy, the poised musical soundtrack for a festival where the fun never stops. 

But, really, it’s the location that makes Bahidorá so special: The unique setting of the festival features a natural water park where the Yautepec river flows through the Sierra de Montenegro nature reserve. Festival locations really don’t come anymore stunning, and it’s even more special when you learn that Bahidorá is the only large-scale event to take place within the park’s grounds. 

If you happen to be heading there from February 14 to 16, here’s our run down of five unmissable artists as well as when and where to catch them at this year’s festival.

CHANNEL TRES / SATURDAY / 6.05PM / SONORAMA

Los Angeles’ new dance king brings his blend of soulful house and hip-hop inspired beats to the jungle ahead of slots at Coachella and a host of international festivals in the coming months. Catch him light up Bahidorá with infectious groovers like “Topdown,” “Controller,” and “Black Moses” before he becomes a household name this summer. 

JOSEY REBELLE / SATURDAY / MIDNIGHT / EL AMATE 

One of the UK’s most exciting DJs of the last year is sure to make light work of her Bahidorá debut. Having made a name for herself thanks to an ethos of heavyweight selection first and foremost, Rebelle’s genre-hopping sets veer from acid house, electro, and techno to disco and more. That’s what’s great about seeing her play, you never know what route she’ll go down. Check out her BBC Radio One Essential Mix if you need anymore convincing. 

AVALON EMERSON B2B JASSS / SUNDAY / 2AM / EL AMATE

A rare back-to-back between two underground favourites, Emerson’s colorful, high-energy DJing style will make for an interesting contrast to Spanish selector JASSS’s gritty techno sound. They don’t often get behind the decks together, so this one’s not to be missed. 

EQUIKNOXX / SUNDAY / 11.40AM / LA ESTACION

Forward-thinking Jamaican dancehall collective, made up of Shanique Marie, Bobby Blackbird, Kemikal Splash and Kingston producers Gavin “Gavsborg” Blair and Time Cow, released one of 2019’s best albums. Hearing tracks from Eternal Children bring life on the La Estacion stage will create the perfect festival finale. 

For tickets visit http://bahidora.com