What is Barbarella? The story of the electronic music festival that marked an era in the Dominican Republic

Barbarella (stylized as BARBΛRELLA) is an electronic music festival that, since its inception in 2011, revolutionized the entertainment scene in the Dominican Republic. Originally organized by Cerveza Presidente in partnership with PAV Events, Barbarella became a cutting-edge experience that united music, visual art, fashion, technology, and pop culture, positioning itself as one of the most anticipated events on the annual calendar.

History of Barbarella

The first edition of Barbarella took place on June 22, 2011 at Sans Soucí, Santo Domingo, with artists like Empire of the Sun, Laidback Luke and Dirty South. Its name, inspired by the science fiction heroine of the 60s, reflected its futuristic and alternative identity. From the beginning, it was conceived as a platform to bring the best exponents of the EDM (Electronic Dance Music) genre to the country, in a visually striking and culturally innovative format.

Historical editions and growth

Year after year, Barbarella exceeded expectations, not only in artistic quality but also in production, attendance, and originality. These are its main editions:

• 2012: With artists like Otto Knows, Chris Lake and DEV, the event expanded its lineup and maintained its venue in Sans Soucí.
• 2013: It moved to the Quisqueya Stadium, with figures like Afrojack, Dragonette, R3hab, Inna and Emma Hewitt.
• 2014: Lasting 12 continuous hours, Hardwell (the #1 DJ in the world according to DJMag at the time), Steve Angello, Capital Cities and Icona Pop shone. It was also noted for the unexpected cancellation of Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike.
• 2015: Under the concept The Journey, it brought together more than 15,000 people with performances by DVBBS, Nicky Romero, NERVO, Deorro, Krewella and others.
• 2016: Considered one of the most powerful editions, it featured David Guetta, DJ Snake, Steve Aoki, Jack Ü, Afrojack and Don Diablo.
• 2017: It was not held, as the Cervecería Nacional Dominicana decided to focus on the Festival Presidente.
• 2018: The last edition to date was on May 30 at the Estadio Olímpico Félix Sánchez, with a monumental stage of more than 10 thousand square feet that simulated an interstellar ship. Among the featured artists were The Chainsmokers, Zedd, Axwell Λ Ingrosso, Galantis, Showtek and Afrojack.

Why did Barbarella disappear?

Despite its success, Barbarella was not held again after 2018. In 2019 a tentative date was announced, but it was canceled. Among the reasons:

• PAV Events and Cervecería Nacional Dominicana lost interest in continuing to bet on EDM, alleging low profitability.
• The production company focused on events with artists of more popular genres such as reggaeton and salsa, betting on figures like Marc Anthony, Manuel Turizo and J Balvin.
• On social media, the company implied that “the EDM scene in the Dominican Republic rests in peace”, even using symbolic images such as tombstones in publications.
• The constant complaints from the public about the repetition of DJs on the bill would have also affected the enthusiasm of the organizers.

A legacy that still resonates

Although Barbarella was suspended for several years, its impact endures. It was the first electronic music festival to establish an international standard in the country. It generated jobs, boosted the creative industry, attracted young tourism, and educated an entire generation around EDM and large-format festivals. In 2025, its return was announced with a renewed proposal: “Un Verano de Otro Mundo”, showing that Barbarella is not just nostalgia, but also the future. The new edition promises to maintain the essence that made it legendary, but with a more ambitious, technological and inclusive approach.

The Expected Return: Barbarella 2025

After a seven-year absence, Barbarella returns this August 30, 2025 with a renewed proposal under the concept “A Summer from Another World”. This new edition promises a more ambitious, technological, and immersive experience, which seeks to reconnect with its original audience and conquer new generations. The 2025 edition will once again be held at the Félix Sánchez Olympic Stadium, the same venue that hosted its historic last edition in 2018. The event will be marked by an immersive scenography, interactive areas, cutting-edge technology and a top-level international lineup, yet to be revealed. The production is carried out by PAV Events in partnership with Cerveza Presidente, with the support of brands such as Visa and Banreservas. With this reactivation, Barbarella reaffirms its leadership as one of the most iconic festivals in the Caribbean and projects its evolution towards a new era of multisensory musical experiences.