Miami’s Ups & Downs

The 2007 edition of Miami’s Winter Music Conference was plagued by rain and cooler than usual temperatures, so much for global warming, and too many parties that had the feel of just being put together, rather than the actual months it took to plan. Disorganized lines, over aggressive security and sound systems that might be worse than my stereo did not completely ruin the conference, many DJs still brought the energy and there was plenty of great music to be heard where ever you may have went. All the negatives that can be said still do not take away from the fact that all the top names from electronic music were in one place for one week, and the parties had line-ups that were strong top to bottom.

Break-Through DJs
James Zabiela and NicFanculli- They hosted their own event together as one+one and also played sets on their own, either way they had the sounds of the conference. It has been described form everything to tech house, minimal, and acid, but what it really is, is the future of dance music. They are young and just starting to build names for themselves across the continents and in Ibiza.
Steve Porter- His eclectic mix of house grooves was unmatched at any conference event. His biggest endorsement came for Paul Van Dyk, when asked who are some of the DJs we should be hearing a lot more about, his answer was “Porter definitely has the biggest potential right now”, what more need to be said.

The Unpredictable
Fire marshals shutting down clubs because they were beyond capacity, occurred at a couple of places, most notoriously The Juicy Beach event at Nikki Beach, which was closed to any new entrances for more then 2 hours, even if you had tickets and the music also had to be stopped for a while as the inspection lasted an hour.
Rain- Pool parties, Ultra Music Fest, outdoor cafes, everyone was feeling the torture of terrible weather and this one can’t be blamed on anyone.

The Predictable
Lines, lines, everywhere, didn’t matter if you already had tickets in hand or just wanted to buy them on the spot, unless you were purchasing table service which came with a price in thousands or came to the club 2 hours early, you could expect to do a lot of waiting. Club Space was the perfect example of this, especially for PVD and Morillo.

#1 Promoter of the Conference
Made Events- If you just went to Miami to attend only their parties you would have left completely happy. No drama, great sound, lighting, and line-ups that had to be simply amazing. The Armada event at Twilo and Pawn Shop gave trance fans the music they have been missing for years at the conference, while Sunday School for Degenerates brought the week to a close with only the best minimal/techno tunes. At each event the vibe was great and things done properly. Hawtin, Howells and Loco Dice were also part of the week of just legendary fun. Made Events showed why they are taking over WMC>

Only Venue for Proper Partying
Pawn Shop-Yes it’s housed in a former pawn shop and has a plain concrete backyard, and that the fun of going here. This place is all about the clubbers and DJ bringing the vibe and energy, no theatrics from the club. The highlight of the week was Armin Van Buuren playing on top of a truck in front and back of the club.

Avoid this Place
Nikki Beach- Promoters Juicy Music and Wet Grooves brought top names to what is supposed to be the top beach club in South Beach, for a self proclaimed luxurious venue they had a sound system which can only be described as crap. The place was too packed and lacked any sensible organization.

Return of The DJs-Old Names That Ripped Up South Beach
David Guetta- Fuck Me I’m Famous at Cameo (formerly Crobar) and his performance at Ultra gave American dance fans a reason to get up and move. His tack selections are meant to bring the party on hard and that they did.
Gabriel and Dresden- House, electro, commercial, trance, they have mixed and produced it all, but there sets are a true journey starting from the build up to the middle, they drop vocals on top of minimal and then throw trance right into commercial, their mixing in from one track to the next is flawless, which is almost a lost art on the electronic scene.

Miami’s Best Performance
Fat Boy Slim- The top of the tent at Ultra Music Festival just about fell off because of everyone including Norman, bouncing up and down non-stop, I’m not sure if it was the tracks being spun or his antics on stage, but he brought the crowd with him the whole time. Easily the best show of the entire conference and sure to bring him some new fans in the USA.

And The Worst
The Cure- I was around in the 80’s and didn’t get it then and now at Ultra I still don’t get it. Yes some of their songs are popish, but who the hell wants to go to a dance event to be depressed. Leave the sadness home next time.

Best Free Party
Beatport at The Remix Hotel-With names like James Zabiela, Dubfire, and Richie Hawtin, spinning poolside, in the afternoons, this was the place to be. Inside The National Hotel; Apple presented remixing demonstartions with numerous DJs and producers, including Paul Van Dy, and other big mames like Pioneer and Microsoft set up exhibits as well, no need to pay for a WMC badge, when you got more for nothing over at The Remix.


Most Overrated Party
AM Only@ Nocturnal- Waiting for hours to get in to a place that was not even packed, is this really necessary, I don’t care how good the DJs are, there is no excuse for bull shit.

Most Underrated Party
Cielo@ The Raleigh Hotel- If you were looking for the pulse of New York and the sounds of Iberia, you should have come to this party. A nice laid back feeling mixed with the regulars of Cielo, New York’s best dance club, provided for a day of sunny, house beats by the pool.