Brooklyn Electronic Music Festival marks 18 years with 23-hour marathon in East Williamsburg

Over 30 artists are expected. featuring Bauuer, Hiroko Yamamura, Benny Soto, and more.

Brooklyn Electronic Music Festival returns Saturday, March 28, for its 18th anniversary, taking over a multi-space venue at 314 Scholes St. in East Williamsburg for a continuous 23-hour run of underground electronic music.

BEMF is female and minority owned and operated. Launched in 2008 by the founder of MeanRed Productions, Jen Lyon, founder of Renegade NYC, Sam Black and strategist, Katie Longmyer. As stated on BEMF’s website, this year’s return is both a rebellion and a homecoming. 

The event begins at 1 p.m. on Saturday and continues through noon on Sunday, spanning five distinct areas within the complex, including Substance Skatepark, LoHi Rooftop, Wandering Barman, a courtyard and a warehouse location. A single all-access ticket, priced at $40, allows entry across all stages with re-entry permitted.

This year’s lineup features nearly 30 artists organised into seven independently curated showcases, each led by local collectives such as Vigilante, Hot Honey Sundays, and Renegade. The format emphasises a decentralised approach, giving equal visibility to each curator while maintaining a consistent flow of music across the complex.

This festival, rooted in underground dance culture, has an emphasis on direct artist involvement and community-led curation rather than algorithm-driven booking. BEMF reasserts the power of intention with each showcase operating autonomously within the curated framework of the festival.

Chicago’s influence is heavily present across the lineup, with sets from DJ Thadz, DJ Manny, and Hiroko Yamamura. Brooklyn-based and international artists round out the bill, including Anna Collecta, S7IK, Shvili and JADALAREIGN (cover image), reflecting a mix of house, techno, and experimental club sounds.

The Brooklyn native known for “Harlem Shake,” Bauuer, who now focuses on bass-driven and club-oriented sets, is set to take the Courtyard stage. Other artists scheduled across the festival include Angie Rey, DJ Kellen, LeCamille, and Benny Soto, alongside a number of emerging DJs affiliated with the participating collectives.

Programming is staggered throughout the day and night. Daytime sets lean toward house and groove-driven sounds, while late-night and early morning hours shift into heavier techno, hardcore, and trance. A sunrise segment closes out the event, with extended sets running into Sunday morning.

In addition to music, the event will include food vendors, on-site services, and designated rest areas.

Now in its 18th year, BEMF continues to position itself as a longstanding fixture in Brooklyn’s electronic music landscape, maintaining its focus on grassroots programming while adapting to the evolving club scene. 

The event is open to attendees 21 and over, with tickets available in advance and at the door.