Jo Chipchase revisited Planeta Bass on 19-20 September for a ’boutique’ festival experience featuring DnB, dub, a swimming pool rave, and camping chaos…
PLANETA Bass returned to Camping Los Bermejales, near Arenas del Rey, Granada, from 18-20 September 2026. This was the small festival’s second run -with more than 50 artists and around 40 hours of “bass music”, featuring: drum and bass, jungle, reggae, dub, breakbeat, and other styles. Around 350 revellers of mixed ages enjoyed the entertainment.
The headliners included Kelvin 373, Dub Elements, Bukkha, Tenor Mario, Shaolin Dubz, and Rosa Pagano, alongside local DJs and sound-system crews. South of Granada previewed the line-up in July.
Planeta Bass is a festival with a civilised atmosphere. The well-organised campsite has an on-site bar, facilities blocks with hot showers, and a range of ‘parcelas’ and bungalows for your stay (although the latter were snapped up early!).
If you remain awake at dawn, the nearby Embalse de los Bermejales is a five-minute walk from the campsite. On the Sunday morning, our group of stragglers and waifs were sitting around a boombox, glancing across the beautiful reservoir, and putting the world to rights (especially one guy, who was a real chatterbox!). Later, we ventured to the on-site swimming pool rave, which had a 90’s-type vibe. There’s something to be said for a party in a beautiful setting with no mud, long-drop loos, or loose dogs. Even the views alone will lift your spirits.
Book your bungalow early
My main learning experience from Planeta Bass 2026 was: book your accommodation early. Many bungalows and caravans were allocated to crew. You can book months ahead and request a refund if your plans change. Although camping under canvas is fun (for adolescents!), it’s less desirable when your tent, gazebo, and other camping equipment have lurked in a mountain garage since the Covid pandemic. As well as mice nibbling at some items, some tent poles had intermingled during the last seven years. Eventually, a “two-minute pop up tent” from Decathlon was shoved into the car… even though it takes two minutes to erect, and about two hours to pack down – if you can manage it (hungover or otherwise).
Jaded from an overnight flight before the event, I asked a friend to help fill my Berlingo with a selection of “handy festival items” – predictably, none of which would be used. Running late, without time to visit the supermarket first, I drove all my tat to Camping los Bermejales. Upon arriving at the campsite, I parked directly beside a large toilet block (“en-suite!”), and left everything untouched until I arrived back in La Alpujarra on the Monday.
At one point, a friend passed out on top of the random mess in my van. They didn’t last long in there!
The jump-up crew & sound boys
After circulating and taking photos on the Saturday night, I started to feel tired. The idea of having a “siesta” in the Berlingo, with its “handy en-suite bathroom”, no curtains, and tat on every surface, wasn’t enticing. Sleep was definitely for another night. After eating a delicious meal from the Baraka food stall, I went to see the 1am set from Rosa Pagano. Freshly arrived from Zurich (fresher than me, which is frankly not difficult!), she played arguably the strongest sets of the night (and it wasn’t just my opinion). Every tune was a banger of the jump-up DnB genre, with no filler tracks, and admirably smooth transitions. She played my favourite DnB tune – Sub Focus ‘Solar System’ and then followed it with other bangers I can’t name.
Her set established the direction for the rest of the night – including another jump-up set from headliner, Dub Elements.
Meanwhile, down at the Dub Valle HiFi sound system, the beats were stomping. Crystal-clear, high-fidelity tones were booming over the campsite. One DJ – I think it was a Martinez Brother – played a tune that started with a disco intro then became a dub plate. Rousing stuff.
A properly tuned sound system pulsates throughout your body. Dub Valle has spent years refining its hog scoops et al. The crew has previously brought Bukkha to Granada, and is known for its fine selectors and musicians. Apparently, its sound check activated some nearby car alarms. How to please a sound boy? Praise his sound system!
Sunday: poolside rave vibes
The daytime sessions had a different mood – more bouncy and 90s. The poolside rave featured a friendly crowd who looked like they had been revelling for hours, or days. On Sunday afternoon, some young Irish DJs dropped Wamdue Project’s ‘King of My Castle‘ (and other oldschool treats) while people threw shapes and pulled some interesting facial expressions.
Other DJs in the pool area were Papo Gumbo (sadly, we narrowly missed his set), Simone, and Joshua.
As with Órgiva Feria 2025, I managed to miss several festival highlights – especially Gumbo. Sometimes, planning goes sideways at a rave… if not always!
Older ravers, younger DJs
Planeta Bass presents the kind of bass-music culture that has existed around Órgiva, the Alpujarra, and Granada for decades. Reggae, dub, jungle, and drum and bass are all played at free parties – as well as techno, which didn’t appear at this event.
Since the 1990s, the original sound systems arose from British and other European new age travellers, who settled in southern Spain. Some of the promoters are now the second generation (the offspring). Some have widespread and loyal followings.
The current crowd is not simply replaying the 90s (especially as they weren’t alive then!). Planeta Bass promoter and DJ, Dez-R, grew up with the local, free party scene. The system he installs in the main tent comes from other “second generation” DJs and “sound boys”. These are One Love from the Málaga area and Hobbit Sounds from Órgiva.
When assessing the crowd, the age range varies from teens to 60s – a good mix, representative of an inclusive and non-judgemental scene.
Last year’s inaugural Planeta Bass proved popular. The second edition built on this success, with some bigger names. Next year, we hope to bag that bungalow though!
Planeta Bass practicalities
- Book accommodation very early if you want a proper bed.
- Choose the camping pitch carefully – the premium pitches nearer the restaurant are bigger but less private.
- Take swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. You don’t want people speculating on whether your legs are pink.
- Bring a warm layer for night.
- Take a decent power bank for mobile phone chargers.
- Trainers make more sense than anything with a wedge sole, as the site is slopey and gravelly.
- Make sure you’re fresh enough for the drive home after the festivities. No drunk driving.