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Music

Guy Gerber Offers BPM Festival Advice

The Playa veteran has words for fans and DJs alike as his Rumors parties get set for double duty.

Guy Gerber is known world-round as being a musical trailblazer, so it's no surprise that he found his way down to Playa Del Carmen for one of The BPM Festival's earliest iterations. "It was the second edition of the festival," he tells THUMP. But it wasn't all smiles and hugs right from the offing. "Playa was still evolving and, if I am honest, I didn't like the crowd that much."

Things changed pretty quickly from then on. He's been a fixture as BPM's developed into an essential destination for aficionados of sophisticated club music. "I think that BPM contributed a lot to the area because right now, the festival is totally international and people come from all over the world to get introduced to the Mexican culture that is one of my favorites…It's definitely the best place in the world to be in January if you like house and techno," he explains.

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This year, Gerber will be pulling double duty on his world-roving Rumors party series. "The first is at Canibal Royal on opening day," he says. "I'm also doing a very special daytime Rumors in The Cenote (cenotes are underwater cave systems natural to Mexico's Yucatan region) — It's gonna be on the 11th. It's the first time that we're gonna do one unique party in a very special environment. It's going to be me and Apollonia."

As many BPM veterans do, Gerber has strong words of advice for attendees: "It's very important to try to go to the beach and try all the amazing restaurants, and the amazing ceviches that people make on that side of the world. Don't forget to make time to visit Tulum as it's incredibly beautiful. And also try to make some time to go to either a cenote or one of the Mayan ruins because it makes the whole experience much much more fulfilled."

Always outspoken, Gerber also has words for his fellow performers. "I wish all the DJs would consider the environment when they choose the music, as that part of Mexico is very, very special. I think that the nature of sand in your toes and fresh tacos and spicy micheladas creates a very festive environment," he explains. "Also, since people are on vacation, the parties can go on for days and days cause there is always something to do. So my suggestion is to not play too many hits cause there are a lot of DJs around. Otherwise, the people will hear the same music in all the parties."

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As soon as the party down south draws to a close, it's back to work for Gerber. "I just moved to LA and am starting a residency at Sound Nightclub," he says. "I'm gonna try to bring the same vibe that I had from my other parties around the world, which includes psychedelic decorations and an all night long set."

And don't worry, while you're out there breaking your own resolutions, so will Guy. "I'm going to try to be more humble," he laughs. "But I don't know if it's gonna work. But I promise to try."

Check the flyers for both Rumors parties:

…and

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Jemayel Khawaja is THUMP's Managing Editor - @JemayelK