The Marriott beachfront is about to transform into the Caribbean’s hottest electronic music destination. On December 6th, SounDown Festival returns for its sophomore year, promising an 11-hour sonic journey that will take revelers from sunset to sunrise, or more precisely, from 3 PM to 2 AM.
If you missed last year’s sold-out debut, consider this your second chance. The festival is pulling out all the stops for year two, bringing in heavy-hitters from the international electronic music scene, including Dutch DJ Dannic and Major Lazer’s Walshy Fire.
Local representation comes courtesy of Tariq Dakhil who is at the forefront of Guyana’s emerging electronic music movement and Kimber, an NYC born with Guyanese roots.
“This festival demonstrates Guyana’s readiness to compete on international creative platforms,” said Dakhil, founder of BPM Guyana, the organization behind SounDown. “Following Storm25’s success and our inaugural year’s reception, we’re building something with lasting cultural significance.”
Sharing details on the international lineup, Dakhil revealed that Dannic, known for chart-topping collaborations with Hardwell and releases like “Clobber” and “Feel Your Love” on Revealed Recordings, will be making his Guyana debut.
“It’s the kind of booking that would typically require a flight to Amsterdam or Miami, except this time, it’s happening right here in Georgetown. Then there’s Walshy Fire, the sonic architect behind Major Lazer’s genre-bending sound. His pioneering work fusing Caribbean rhythms with electronic production has influenced everything from dancehall to afrobeat, making him a fitting headliner for a festival that celebrates the region’s growing electronic music scene,” he said.
The international lineup doesn’t stop there. Netherlands-based Le Prince brings his “Reggatronic” sound, a reggae-electronic fusion he’s perfected through collaborations with names like Timmy Trumpet and Ran-D. New York’s Helang promises emotionally charged sets that balance melodic moments with high-energy intensity, while Suriname’s Oefmeister represents neighbouring South American talent with his technically precise, rhythm-driven approach.
Dakhil said the inaugural edition was sold out with 800 attendees at the Marriott’s terrace venue, proving there’s an appetite for large-scale music events in Guyana. This year’s festival builds on that momentum with what organizers describe as “substantial enhancements” across the board.
“Expect sophisticated lighting arrays and pyrotechnic displays that rival major international festivals. The production upgrades represent a significant investment in bringing world-class festival experiences to local audiences,” Dakhil revealed, explaining further that the festival grounds will feature installations by regional visual artists, an expanded food village showcasing both Guyanese classics and international cuisine, live art creation throughout the day, interactive sponsor activations, and even designated wellness spaces for when you need a break from the dancefloor.
In a move that sets it apart from typical music festivals, SounDown has partnered with Fureva Hope Alive Animal Rescue, with a percentage of ticket sales supporting their animal welfare and community rescue operations. It’s a reminder that a good time can also do good.
The festival has secured backing from Coke Studio as principal entertainment partner, along with support from Enet, Impressions Design, the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, and Jewelz Hotel.
With BPM Guyana already establishing itself through last year’s SounDown and August’s Storm25 event featuring Darude, the organization is positioning the December festival as the country’s flagship recurring music event, the one date electronic music fans will mark on their calendars every year.
Tickets are available through Potsalt Events, TicketGateway, and EventBrite. For updates, follow @bpmguyana on Instagram.