Another WMC Roundup

April 4, 2005 12:10 AM
by

Electronic Dance Music purists (locals and tourists alike), have had March 22-26th annotated in their itineraries for months now.

Once again the Winter Music Conference has descended upon the “Magic City” amidst a fit of sound and fury!

Despite some bumps here and there (clubs not opening, noise ordinance issues shutting some hotel parties down and the like), Conference was an overwhelming success.

Besides bolstering our local economy, WMC once again successfully brought to the forefront the very best that dance music has to offer.

Monday March 21st

Pulseradio.net Party feat (Alan Stenback, Mirza, and Sebastian C)

Arriving on the beach early in order to stake my claim on the surface lot on 17th and Washington, I trekked over to the Chesterfield Hotel to check out some of our great locals.

Amidst a warm and cozy atmosphere, my conference began listening to the diverse styles of our very own board members.

After dancing to some great tunes I made my way to Crobar.

Def Mix (feat Frankie Knuckles and David Morales)

Arriving at 10 pm, I quickly made my way into Crobar thanks to the friendly and well staffed door.

Crobar was overwhelmingly packed (as is any venue for Conference), as the “Godfather of House” Frankie Knuckles took the decks first. From soulful house to old school house tracks to more recent hits such as “Lola’s theme” Frankie Kunckles rocked the crowd

A very impressive array of dancers on stage and acrobats overhead added to an already electrifying experience.

David Morales proceeded to take the decks and leveled what was left of the establishment. Dropping one of my favorite tracks I heard all conference, David Morales’s own “How Would You Feel,” his set was banging from start to finish.

Tuesday March 22nd

Magic Sessions @ Crobar (feat Lil’ Louie Vega and Tony Humphries)

My second night of Conference once again belonged to Crobar. Arriving at 10 pm, the front door was quick and painless.

Perhaps even more crowded then the previous night, both the upstairs VIP and main room sported some incredible beats.

Tony Humphries was already on the decks as I arrived. His almost 4 hour set consisted mostly of soulful house (exactly what I was waiting to hear this conference).

Though I had originally decided to attend this event to hear the legend Lil’ Louie Vega, I was ultimately disappointed by his set. Not knowing much about his style, he played a very upbeat tribal sounding set with a few vocals thrown around and some jazzy riffs.

Though musically I was wanting more from Mr. Vega, his technical skills on the decks impressed me greatly.

Upstairs in the VIP lounge, the Soulfuric crew was on fire. From Jask, the Cleptomanaics (Julius Knight and Brian Tappert) and our very own local Sheldon Prince, their soulful and funky sounds had the crowd dancing up a storm.

Wednesday March 23rd

Basic/Movim Party @ Beach Plaza Hotel

Arriving at 2 pm, I entered the beautifully landscaped garden to the quirky sounds of Mazi.

A few partiers had gathered before the dj booth to dance while others relaxed on the many chairs strewn about.

As Ken from Eastcoastboogymen was concluding his set, the deluge began!!

After hanging out inside for 35-40 minutes as the rain continued, I grew restless and headed over to the Marlin

Smartbar @ The Marlin

As I entered, the large crowd was dancing to the beats of a Jazznova dj set. With an open bar on beer, everyone was enjoying some well needed refreshments.

Among those in attendance was DJ Mark Farina who had dropped by to listen to his friend DJ Heather spin.

DJ Heather took the decks amidst a bevy of cheers. Performing a spectacular “patioesque” type set replete with sick basslines and vocals, she had the crowd enamored with her sounds from the get-go.

As I headed out for dinner, Kaskade had taken over.

Lights Out 2005 @ State (feat Steve Lawler w/ opener Clive Henry)

As one of my most anticipated parties of Conference (based on the phenomenal reviews from Lights Out 2004), I decided to attend this year’s incarnation. Greeted ever so graciously by the host and promoter for the evening Diego Martinelli, I entered the darkened venue.

With black streamers hanging overhead and the chandelier lights turned down, the “Lights Out” theme was well done.

The opening DJ Clive Henry delivered a fantastic progressive house set tinged with just a bit of acid. It was dark and gritty. The mood was set.

As the venue reached capacity, the biggest issue of the night reared its ugly head. The stifling heat. The A/C was apparently not working at 100% and it made it at times a bit difficult to dance (the little room that there was to dance that is).

Steve Lawler took the decks around 12:15 and played till 5:15 am. His exclusive 5 hr set the longest set I heard all conference. Though not necessarily the high energy tribal set that I was expecting, Lawler played a more progressive set.

A plethora of DJ’s were in attendance for this event. From our very own locals DJ Roland, Oscar G and Ralph Falcon, to John Digweed, Hernan Cattaneo and Armin Van Buuren, the industry came out to party.

Thursday March 24th

Shipwrecked ’05 (Lust4house and Housdivision boat party)

Without a doubt the best Conference party I attended. From 4 pm-8pm “Shipwrecked ‘05” was an aural and visual journey that overwhelmed my senses.

Permeated by an incredible vibe (thanks in large part to the intimacy of the event and beautiful vistas of Downtown Miami), and some fantastic soulful /funky and “jackin” house music, the four-hour cruise flew by.

DJ’s Jon Lemmon, Lego, Johnny Fiasco and Mark Grant delivered awe-inspiring sets that kept those on board dancing from start to finish.

Promoted by Lust4house and Housedivision, the $30 dollar cruise not only provided quality music but complimentary refreshments and food. (including mini sandwiches from Quiznos, fruit bar, Red Bull and other refreshments).

Top shelf liquors at only $6 dollars a drink had the vodka flowing. Halfway through the trip the vodka had all but disappeared.

The beautiful weather and calm seas further added to the enjoyment of those on board.

As I glanced over out into the sea, I noticed dolphins frolicking nearby.

Alas, the most relaxing and enjoyable party had come to an end as I made my way to Mansion for the OM Records party.

OM Party@ Mansion

Featuring a diversified group of dj’s on the OM record label, this party was perhaps the most musically diverse of those I had attended.

From the soulful sounds of Andy Caldwell and Groove Junkies, to the multi-talented DJ Colette (as she sang along to her tracks), to the smooth sexy vocals of Kaskade, my musical palette was satiated.

Though the venue was wall to wall packed it was comfortable the entire night and some dancing room was still available.

Also performing on this night were Greenskeepers (live PA), Marques Wyatt, DJ Sneak and Mark Farina (as this was the official release party of his Mushroom Jazz 5 CD).

Friday March 25th

CoolJunkie / Radio 1 Party @ Nikki Beach

Having parked 17 blocks away on Lincoln Road due to the closer lots being overrun, I knew this party was going to be insane.

Broadcasting live to the UK, Pete Tong brought his infamous Essential Mix to the sandy beaches of Nikki’s.

From Sandy Rivera, Deep Dish, Nic Fanculli, Murk, Judge Jules, Gabriel and Dresden, Desyn Masiello and James Zabiela the dj lineup was indeed impressive.

Twice as packed according to many in attendance, the vibe was incredible. Even Erick Morillo was dancing with the throng of people for a while.

Though the Miami Beach noise ordinance put a bit of a damper on the party (only those in front of the stage could hear the music clearly), it certainly did not keep those that were in attendance from enjoying one of the highlights of WMC at one of South Beach’s gems in Nikki Beach.

Saturday March 26th

Ultra Music Festival 7

The annual outdoor extravaganza and official closing party for WMC once again invaded Bayfront Park. Estimated at over 60,000 strong the crowds were incredible. Stationed at the Amphitheater all day / night (to get my WMC trance fix), I witnessed the largest crowd I had ever seen.

Arriving at around 2 pm, I caught the tail end of Donald Glaude’s set. Never having caught a Glaude set, I was entranced by his over the top showboating and high energy set.

From 2-3 pm a live PA by Infected Mushroom enthralled the crowd with their unique sounds.

Christopher Lawrence took the decks next. Just voted as “Best American DJ” he threw down an hour long hard trance set.

Shortly thereafter, Infusion took the decks for about 45 minutes with a live PA of their own. Though not as inspiring as their performance last year, any live PA is always welcomed, especially for Conference.

Trance legends Ferry Corsten and Paul Oakenfold were the next two to take the decks, driving the crowd into a frenzy.

As day turned to night, and the lasers ricocheted off the buildings in Downtown Miami, Junkie XL wowed the crowd with his live PA (esp. with his “red pill, blue pill” track).

A two hour set by the Number #1 DJ in the world, Tiesto followed by a hard pounding set by the “Godfather of Ultra,” Paul Van Dyk (my favorite set of Ultra), ended my evening and WMC.

As quickly as the crowds descended upon South Beach and Downtown Miami for EDM’s biggest U.S. event, they were gone.

All that was left behind are the memories of nonstop parties, inspiring sets and that “warm feeling” deep inside (no… not because of all the liquor I consumed this week), of having been part of something special.