With the advent of COVID-19 vaccines and rapid tests, The BPM Festival‘s organizers hoped the event could return to Costa Rica from March 3rd-7th, 2021. Restrictions in the country during that time frame remain dubious, though, forcing them to postpone the gathering to January 12th-18th, 2022.
“From the beginning, plans for our upcoming edition were based on Costa Rican government guidance on the gradual return of mass events, which included 100% event capacity by March 2021 in the country,” reads a statement. “Our collaborative work with the government of Costa Rica was constant, however complete clarity on restrictions remained unattainable, and therefore we felt we would not be able to deliver the festival experience we strive to give you and more importantly, that you expect from us.”
Just last month, BPM had announced the Phase 1 lineup for the 2021 Costa Rica event. Artists like Carl Craig, Stacey Pullen, Sonja Moonear and Danny Tenaglia were on the bill.
The statement went on to emphasize that the decision was not made due to new outbreaks or any other shift in Costa Rica’s COVID-19 situation. They also offered instructions for ticket holders wanting to roll their tickets over to 2022 as well as those who would prefer a refund.
Bartenders, Promoters, Musicians
“BPM” in The BPM Festival stands for “bartenders, promoters, musicians” as the gathering was initially a post-New Years gathering for industry professionals. It debuted in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico in 2008 and remained there until 2017, when a shooting forced organizers to relocate to Portugal.
2021 also marks BPM’s first foray into Ibiza since 2016. Partnering with International Music Summit, the event brand is slated host a series of showcases at White Isle clubs from April 29th-May 1st (coronavirus permitting).
More information is available on The BPM Festival’s official website.
