10 Essential BPM Festival Showcases

With less than a week until The BPM Festival kicks off, dance fans worldwide will be poring over the marathon event schedule trying to figure out which showcases will be this year's best parties. With over 50 events, though, it can get overwhelming.

Like a good neighbor, THUMP's always there. We've picked out ten unmissable showcases that might have slipped your eye. We figure you don't need to be advised to check out the likes of Carl Cox & Friends or Maya Jane Coles and co – BPM is rarely anyone's first rodeo, after all, but here's 10 picks that might expose some new tunage to your adventuring ears.

Dusky

Sometimes, it's not about the length of the line-up, it's just about quality. Dusky, Justin Martin, and Danny Daze are the only names announced for the UK duo's showcase, but they're all the names we need. Nothing but class all day long.

Life and Death

You never really know what you're gonna get with Ben UFO, but it'll probably be weird and it'll definitely be rad. He's called on DJ Tennis, Job Jobse, Thugfucker, and Joy Oribison to round out a bill that'll be sure to take you places in the nebulous outer regions of house and techno.

Culprit

LA-based house and techno label Culprit brings an unreasonably stacked lineup to the Fusion Beach Club. Adriatique, Benoit & Sergio, Droog, Ebu Imbernon, Jozif, and Manik suggest that there's more talent behind the decks than there is time to enjoy them all as the label's heavy hitters come out in force.

Night Bass

LA''s bossiest bassline-centric monthly is making a first appearance at BPM, and AC Slater and crew will be carrying the flag for the best in garage amidst all the smoother house vibes. Amtrac, Corey Sizemore, Motez and Redlight round out a classy line-up that'll bring some heat after the sun goes down.

DIYnamic

While Solomun may be taking on day parties almost by his lonesome on other days, the 13th will find the whole DIYnamic crew from Germany in tow: H.O.S.H, Adriatique, Thylamoid and Magdalena round up what will undoubtedly be a lesson in musicality.

All Gone Pete Tong

Sure, you don't need to be a genius to know that Pete Tong's gonna bring some heat, but just look at this line-up: Tong himself, MK, Oliver Dollar, Gorgon City, Kidnap Kid, and Disciples. It'll be a celebration of that UK house/garage sound that took over airwaves worldwide in 2014 and you might as well post up there all day.

Paradise

Hot Creations head Jamie Jones brings a star-studded line-up to the Blue Venado. Steve Lawler, Eats Everything, Lee Foss, Richy Ahmed, and 2014 Ibiza champion Patrick Topping will cram themselves behind the decks to drench the place in vibes that'll range the spectrum of clubby house.

In The MOOD

One of Ms. Moudaber's many performances over the BPM period, her own showcase finds the Nigerian-born techno legend performing with only one other name on the bill: Marino Canal. The minimalist-learning newcomer will have a shot at a star-making performance.

Suara

Kitten-friendly Spanish tech-house label Suara finds itself up against tough competition on the 16th, as a double dosage of Hot Creations showcases and Seth Troxler's Tuskegee sandwich Coyu, Edu Imbernon, Jay Lumen and Ramiro Lopez as Suara celebrates a breakout year.

Relief vs. Cajual

Day party, January 17th, Blue Parrot

The sheer novelty of seeing Green Velvet vs. Cajmere makes this one a necessity. What does it all mean? How do you go b2b with your alter-ego? It doesn't matter, a double dosage of Curtis Jones is more than anyone could ask for. With Route 94, Nicole Moudaber, and Doorly in tow, you might as well plant your ass down at the Blue Parrot all day long.