The Winter Music Conference Log: Day Three

March 28, 2008 3:35 PM
by Marcos Colón [email]

With three days down and three more to go, everyone’s bodies are just starting to adapt to Conference’s grueling schedule. Everyone’s been bit with the vampire bug as daylight now seems to be the time to sleep, and nightfall the time to play. As the two previous days, day three had just as much to offer and the line-ups for the day may have been the best for the week. Since the previous nights activities had little affect on the Junkies, a daytime party seemed like the best way to start it all off once again.

Surfcomber Hotel Pool Party: Richie Hawtin, Steve Lawler, Dubfire, Loco Dice

It’s funny how we previously mentioned that these parties are labeled ‘Pool Parties’ yet no one ever takes advantage of the pool. Well, we were proved wrong as the pool at the Surfcomber finally got some serious action. This party had to have featured one of the best line-ups that Conference has to offer. Having Dubfire, Richie Hawtin and Steve Lawler all in one place is just place is like forming a sort of semi-dream team of dance music. The giant tent set up just behind the pool blocked the sun from the crowd of night crawlers that donned sunglasses that came in every shape, color and size. The skimpy was definitely in attendance (no complaints here), as ladies wore less than bikinis at times, seeming more like nipple covers and crack hiders.

As Loco Dice fired up the crowd, Richie Hawtin set up patiently right behind on the circular stage. Dice took the crowd to an immense level as pure adrenaline pumped out of the speakers. Things would only get better once Hawtin took the over the reigns. Right behind the stage and the crowd dancing in the sand just outside of the party, the board- walk was also crowded with passers by. Guess you really didn’t need a ticket after all.

Park West Nightclub: Lights Out with Steve Lawler

The reigning monarch of the world of dark house could not have added a better ambience to Lights Out, by far the most absorbent and “euro” evening thus far at conference. Given a quick glance around the venue an overwhelming feeling of being at an underground KGB party in the basement of a posh Castle in Prague on New Years Eve could only be further exemplified by the vast diversity of the audience. It would not have been a surprise to see satan walking around in an Armani suit drinking Grey Goose on the rocks out of the holy grail.

With every dissident melody incorporated into the mix, Lawler masterfully controlled every element of this neo-goth 1920s themed experiment into a slight hint of confident German Noir. This experience would be Fritz Lang’s wet dream complete with four mannequin-esque dancers overlooking the roped off and mostly empty VIP. The juxtaposition of the Spectroscope projections and the crystal chandelier crowning the venue couldn’t have been a better materialized expression of the moment. Park West was positively evil in the best possible and hedonistic way.

Studio A: Get Physical

What better way to kick a party off than with Tiefschwarz, Italoboyz and Junior Boys and ending things up with M.A.N.D.Y. The line-up for the night gave last year’s Get Physical party a run for its money. Things would really get interesting when the boys of Tiefschwarz took over. They’re playful dancing on stage was a bit of a change from the stiffness that many DJs display at times. As time passed more and more bodies began to leak into the room.

The dark vibe in the room permeated the atmosphere and was accompanied by the bass that sent shivers your legs. The sound pumping out of the Dynacord was on point as expected, providing audiophiles with feeling of pure ecstasy. The flickering lights bounced off of the chandeliers and acted as a source of energy and life to an audience that fed off of music and atmosphere. The party itself was an all in all physical romp of dancing kinetic expression.

Space: Sander Van Doorn, Roland, David Padilla, Ferry Corsten

This experience was what the world of all electronic music was originally founded upon. David Padilla’s sonic expression bottled the essence of a mid 90’s rave, sprayed it around Club Space in the form of a fog machine (mixed with copious amounts of pheromones) and brought everyone back to the first defining moment that they entered the world of house music. The faceless mass moved within unity as pure extacious joy matched the racing collective pulse of the room.

Padilla brought the room to an emotional explosion with soaring crescendo’s only to pause 3 seconds before the climax, releasing an aural-orgasm - bathing the crowd with the liquid intensity of the feminine vocal line. White lights and heavy crashes brought everyone back down to the beat, with arm raised cheers. The collective unconscious shared at Space truly represents why everyone travels for hours or days to be at WMC. This is the defining moment of what this scene is all about; the all encompassing sensory experience that is house music.

Nocturnal – Richie Hawtin M_nus Terrace Party/Anjunabeats 100 Party

Running into Richie Hawtin once again is definitely not a coincidence but a choice! The M_nus rooftop party at Nocturnal was by far one of the best crowds and atmospheres in Conference thus far. Arms flailed, whistles whined and feet stomped as Hawtin once again did what he normally does, provide a constant supply of minimal house, controlling the crowded space of the rooftop. The focus and look in his eyes was one of intense and almost insane or deadly precision as he worked the decks. Although the wind carried a light chill, the gyrating bodies and their proximity to one another was a perfect match, giving everyone the feeling of 72 degrees. Everyone wanted, screamed and yearned for more of it all.

An overall different vibe was taking place inside the venue for the Anjunabeats 100 party as Above and Beyond provided the diligent crowd with an endless amount of trance. As Tony McGuiness looked through his CDs, dozens of fans would jump at the chance to have him sign their A&B merch, which he happily did. Overall, nocturnal was definitely the place to be on this night.

[Article written in collaboration with Pete Tremblay]