South of Houston presents: Selecciones Tropicales

South of Houston celebrates its 25th birthday with a daytime-through-sunset beach party, bringing a top-drawer line-up of musical connoisseurs to a remote and secluded spot just outside Brighton – a beach steeped in rave history, home to a wealth of free parties in the 90s, with the shadow of a power station and an industrial port standing between the party and civilisation. That’s a good thing!

For the last couple of years the team at Carat's have been bringing those big parties back, with a purpose-built outdoor stage and dancing area right on the sea’s edge. There are two bars and an indoor second room if needed, with crowds of 4-500 people dancing to luminaries like Darren Emerson and Felix Da Housecat (both in 2025).

This party, ’SELECCIONES TROPICALES', sets a different tone with an earlier start and a daytime/evening party vibe and a definite nod to groove-based worldwide flavours. Expect latin and afro beats, jazz and all manner of tropical sunshine music. Mix in plenty of soulful house, disco, broken beat, possibly maybe even a bit of acid house. One thing you can predict – this will be feelgood music.

South of Houston co-founder Ben GC has curated a line-up for the heads. Each guest DJ is an avid collector, an exemplary dancefloor journey-maker and top class mixing technician – and most importantly, each and every one of them is a party starter!

THE MIGHTY ZAF and KATIE BARBER need no introduction, both being serious heavyweights of the UK scene. Both are considered so highly by the legend Gilles Peterson that he entrusts them with closing party duties at Worldwide Festival and We Out Here respectively. That’s a huge responsibility and both bring the tears and the memories for thousands year after year.

Support comes from BEN GC, with added meat on the tropical barbeque from the excellent PETE SEA, one third of Brighton high-achievers and popular party outfit TAXI. Joining them is DAVID LOJA, the young man from Hungary, famed for his encyclopedic musical knowledge, who brings his unique personality and skills to the decks.

This will be a largely vinyl affair, no doubt with some very expensive and rare records smuggled in for the day. Get involved, get there early, get tropical!