Around SXM Festival

Since its debut in 2016, SXM Festival has proven to be so much more than just another festival. It's a mix of Caribbean, French, and Dutch culture with an audience of worldly adventurers from over 35 countries and local enthusiasts, gathering for some of the best underground electronic music talent on the planet.

Ahead of the 6th edition from March 8-12 on the Caribbean island of Saint Martin / St. Maarten, we spoke with three local artists that will be performing at the festival to create a guide to the island that includes some of the best places to hear music, eat local cuisine, and hang out.

Beyond these artists, attendees can also look forward to sets from global artists including Black Coffee, CamelPhat, Dubfire, Francesca Lombardo, Astra Club (DJ Tennis B2B Carlita), and much more.

Penelope

Overview

Penelope has music running through her veins. With both her parents being musical, it was only a matter of time before she found her own way into the music industry. She likes to guide you through the night with music that has funk and groove and as she has Caribbean blood, likes to mix some Latin and Afro beats in there as well from time to time.

Penelope is originally from Amsterdam but resides on Sint Maarten. This is also where her DJ career took off. She chased her family heritage to the island in 2021 and set up shop as a resident DJ at local venue Roxxy last year, and she will play her first SXM Festival this year.

What are some of your favorite clubs, venues, or places to catch music on the island?

I haven't been going out a lot, but when I do some of my favorite places to go to are definitely Palapa for the music, Roxxy for good food, and if you're looking for a more disco/commercial kind of chill vibe on the beach with music, White Rabbit if you want a more underground kind of party with minimal house, tech-house techno music, and Rainbow Cafe often if you want more afro/progressive.

Can you share a few of your favorite places to eat local food on the island?

Sandy's in Marigot, Lolos in Grand Case, or Rib Shack Simpson Bay

What are some other places that you would recommend people check out on the island?

Loterie Farm is really nice to spend the day at the pool or doing their zip line or hike, Pinel Island for some relaxation as well, Grand Case for nightlife and food, Simpson Bay nightlife and some food, and Maho also for a mixture.

Who are some artists in the local dance music scene that people should know about?

Cal Um, Julian Prince, Jameson, Nico Barcel, Moses Daniel, Owlïsh, Allan P, Will D'Mar, Kidzman, Jayson Miro, Mister T, and probably more but these are some that pop into my head

Can you share a bit about what makes the local dance music scene so unique and vibrant?

It's a mixture of different house genres where everyone has their own spotlight to shine. Every spot has its own genre and its own crowd, yet some places succeed to bring them together and let each night be an experience of its own as they bring DJs from different house genres together, and be free.

Photo: Alexandra Schaede

Mister T

Overview

Mister T opened the biggest outdoor club in the Caribbean, Bliss, in 2005 and now operates and throws parties at a club on the island called Karakter. He started to DJ in 1981 and then started producing in the late 90’s.

His DJ career began in the South of France, then moving to Paris to play in some of the biggest clubs there while also traveling to more than 50 countries around the world before landing in Sint Maarten. He has been a supporter of SXM Festival since the beginning and plays ever year.

What are some of your favorite clubs, venues, or places to catch music on the island?

Karakter Beach Bar on Sundays with the Adeeptive party. For me, the only real underground music party on the rock. Other places are also all good, but not with that level of music for electro sound!

Can you share a few of your favorite places to eat local food on the island?

Pineapple Pete in Simpson Bay. Make sure to try the Surf and Turf! Also Big Cees on Cupecoy Marina, which is just underneath Steve’z Bar.

What are some other places that you would recommend people check out on the island?

Roxxy Beach in Simpson Bay. Probably the best beach bar on the Dutch Side. Coco Beach in Orient Bay.

Best table on the beach on the French Side. Java in Grand Case. The newest spot on the island.

Who are some artists in the local dance music scene that people should know about?

Allan P is an experienced French DJ with probably the biggest musical culture here in SXM. Nicolas Barcel is still young, but really talented. Cal Um, our Australian friend, arrived here few years ago with his real and personal touch.

Can you share a bit about what makes the local dance music scene so unique and vibrant?

Sint Maarten is 2.5 hours away from Miami, 3.5 hours from New York, and 8 hours from Paris. And we’re in the middle of the Caribbean. We have here more than 120 nationalities and ethnicities. So what you listen to here is a mix of all this with a splash of sunshine!

Photo: Alex Photo

Owlïsh

Overview

Owlïsh arrived on the island when he was 15. After quitting a management position at McDonald's in Marigot, he became a full-time DJ and producer. Raised in Paris, Owlïsh discovered his love for electronic music after moving to SXM and has now become a regular at the main nightlife venues.

On the island of Saint Martin, which he considers his paradise, promoters are now snapping up the services of the former show jumping rider, chartered accountant, and fast-food manager, who lived a thousand lives before becoming a DJ. He is quickly becoming a regular at SXM Festival.

What are some of your favorite clubs, venues, or places to catch music on the island?

Electronic music is mostly on weekends. Thursdays are for Minimal and Microhouse lovers. Moses Daniel hosts Calibrate at White Rabbit in Maho (below Moon Bar Club), changing his guest every week. He is also a resident of Night Shift who have parties during the weekends with several rotating guests.

My favorite Fridays are Palapa Lounge in Simpson Bay. This is the perfect place to have a nice dinner (one of the best steakhouses on the island) and start the night with good music until 1/2 am. After 10pm, tables move and dance floor takes place. Same great vibes on Saturdays with two DJs. You can see me there on March 25th.

With my partners, we host the Mullet Bay Bonfire Party which takes place once a month under the trees on Mullet Bay Beach. We were lucky to have Julian Prince from SXM Festival for the February edition. This is your dream electronic party. Great music, beach views, bonfires, and a sky full of stars. The next edition takes place on March 18th. Sunday chilling vibe happens at Kalatua Beach in Mullet Bay (favorite beach on SXM). This boho-chic restaurant is a peaceful place. Lunch to sunset, the chef and the DJ will take care of your happiness. You can see me there on March 1st, March 5th, and March 18th.

Rainbow Cafe in Grand Case have a nice schedule for 2023, bringing in international DJ on Sundays. Java Restaurant, Karakter Beach, and Coco Beach also organise parties on Saturday and Sundays.

Can you share a few of your favorite places to eat local food on the island?

One of the best local food restaurants is Villa Royal in Grand Case, located on the famous restaurant's street. Locals know where to go. Just across the street, you have a restaurant called Lolos. There are four of them and they serve all locals stuff, lambis, lobster, chicken, and ribs. If you want to eat local food and have the best swim you can also go to Rosie's Place in Mullet Bay Beach.

What are some other places that you would recommend people check out on the island?

In the daytime, visit Loterie Farm. They have a nice swimming pool in the mountains and you can see monkeys and big iguanas there. Anse Marcel for super good food after a nice hike in Sentier des Froussards.

At night time, I already told you about the weekend vibes, but SXM is also booming on Monday and Tuesday. On Mondays, Red Piano is booming in Pelican Key with live bands. Tourists and locals like to go there on Mondays. On Tuesdays, Soggy Dollar Bar has salsa and Latino music. One of the biggest weekly nights of SXM. Hundreds people come every Tuesday.

Who are some artists in the local dance music scene that people should know about?

Local electronic music counts a lot of artists. I can’t name a few without naming all. You will discover them when attending the different venues I mentioned before.

Can you share a bit about what makes the local dance music scene so unique and vibrant?

Cosmopolite, trendy, happy, and dark. The SXM electronic music scene has all of that and more. Crowds come from all over the world like Europe, USA, Australia, and South Africa. This is why the SXM music scene is so full of love.

Photo: Goncourt