On the idyllic shores of Miami’s Virginia Key and beneath the starry skies, mystics and lovers will dance as one on December 7. Soundtracked by spellbinding tones from the world’s best electronic music acts, Rakastella will make its return as Art Basel Miami’s defacto closing party. Let’s start exploring some of the artists on the bill now.
The Art Basel event’s phase five additions complete the family affair as Life and Death captain and Rakastella co-creator DJ Tennis headlines the sixteen-hour soirée once again.
Joining the Italian virtuoso is abstract visionary, Houndstooth signee, and Fabric favorite Call Super, who makes his Rakastella debut. Polishing off the trio is Hotflush signee Or:la. The young talent is a next generation UK bass pioneer, having just launched her label Céad whilst hitting renowned clubbing destinations like Barcelona’s Razzmatazz, Amsterdam’s De School, and Berghain.
This multi-dimensional collection of talent is the latest addition to an already staggering lineup. The first announcement rendered much excitement with it inclusion of Hessle Audio chief Ben UFO, Catalan king John Talabot, environmental scientist and house heroine Jayda G, multi-national curator Mor Elian and live-performance luminary KiNK.
The second lineup release stirred much anticipation with Âme’s Frank Weidemann, American house legends Soul Clap, Dekmantel icon Palms Trax, Sustain / Release founder Aurora Halal and Burning Man favorites Öona Dahl and Tara Brooks. Phase three announced the addition of fierce femmes Marie Davidson of Ninja Tune and DJ Minx of Detroit, along with the return of Innervisions co-founder Dixon. Finally, phase four unveiled Motor City Drum Ensemble’s Miami debut, along with Eclair Fifi and hometown heroes Danny Daze and Electric Pickle’s Will Renuart.
At Rakastella, Life and Death and Innervision have combined to create an event greater than the sum of its parts; dancing in the sand while watching the sunrise over the Bay of Miami, multiple intimate stages designed and created by leading figures in the city’s burgeoning artistic community, exceptional musical programming and a unique crowd drawn by one of the world’s most significant art events.
This year, the event will offer a full run of immersive amenities for all its guests.
The late Miami underground staple, Electric Pickle, will be joining with Where Are My Keys in curating their very own Rakastella stage. A Hi-Fi Tea Garden curated by local Terrestrial Funk awaits those needing a respite from the outdoor dance floors; inside, organic tea blends will be served alongside vinyl sets from surprise DJs on a Danley sound system. Meanwhile, VIP revelers will have access to their own village, complete with lounges, complimentary massages, a private mixology bar, and hors d’oeuvres at sunset cooked by famed Miami chef Andres “Billy” Garcia.
Production is key to Rakastella’s immersive experience and builds upon itself year-after-year.
In addition to its collection of art installations and live visual artists, Rakastella has tapped the Montreal-based Iregular and MUTEK Mexico to provide an elevated visual experience. The brand is known for bringing cutting-edge, interactive light design to festivals all over the world, from Mutek in Mexico, Bains Numériques in France, to the Jerusalem Light Festival. Paired with world-class soundtracking from its performers, Rakastella is set to be a veritable feast for the senses.
A cornerstone of Rakastella this year is its commitment to voiding its environmental impact on Virginia Key’s sensitive ecosystem. This year, the event will be the first in Miami to completely rid itself of single-use plastics on site. Rakastella is also partnering with environmental organizations to host a beach cleanup post-party for full environmental restoration. A fleet of volunteers will ensure a trash-free shoreline through the night.
Rakastella invites the creative worlds of music and art to lose themselves in a unique seaside escape. Dance in the sand as the sun goes down, explore a curated art landscape and enjoy a soundtrack curated by two of the world’s finest label collectives. Tickets on sale now via Resident Advisor. Enjoy our Rakastella playlist until then.
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