WMC 2009 Preview: DJMag Teams Up with the Shelborne

January 13, 2009 4:46 PM
by Pete Tremblay

For the worshipers of EDM, there is one major holiday that comes around once a year that dwarfs every other weekend experience and major event combined. To truly express their faith, the devout must make a yearly pilgrimage to the holy land of debauchery, to celebrate a religious experience bigger than Christmas, Easter, Hanukkah, and Ramadan combined. The holy period begins March 24 and lasts six sonically superior days ending with a gratuitous gathering of audiophiles at Bicentennial Park for the Grand Revival of the Turntable. Winter Music Conference is coming, and Miami, Florida is Mecca.

As in years past, the main hub for all things WMC will be The Shelborne Beach Resort, South Beach Miami. For 2009 The Shelborne has partnered with European EDM publication DJMag to enhance the Conference experience for all visitors to the event.
This year “DJMag at the Shelborne” will be hosting a series of events, parties and workshops both daily and nightly boasting what can be considered one of the strongest lineups of WMC in one venue. The daily and nightly events will include sets from some of the legendary DJ staples of WMC.

“DJMag at The Shelborne will be the epicentre of 2009's Winter Music Conference in Miami,” says DJMag Editor, Lesley Wright. “Jointly, we're pulling out all the stops to make sure The Shelborne will be rocking to the biggest - and most exciting - DJs all week. With pool parties, club nights and DJ workshops, this is the place to be to get up close and personal to dance music's brightest stars."

“We have such a line up that it’s tough to say (who will draw the biggest crowd). We have everyone from David Guetta to Sasha to Dubfire to DJ Jazzy Jeff gracing our property, so I really expect each day to be amazing,” says Shelborne owner, Jonathan Cowan.

Venues at The Shelborne include the 1,000-person capacity, Club Shine, as well as the pool area, which can accommodate about 2,000 audiophiles.

“I am particularly excited about the DJMag Pool party, Danny Tenaglia’s Marathon Pool set and Sasha’s first ever solo show for WMC in Shine,” Cowan added.

Handling the ticketing and distribution this year will once again be Wantickets.com. The ticket store this year has moved inside of the Shelborne’s Ocean room for a huge relief from the heat and humidity that Miami is notorious for.

“Last year we had lines of people outside, but the decision to move that inside the lobby this year will give the patron a chance to enjoy some of our panels or events in the lounge, have drink service in the lobby and most importantly, wait in the comfort of AC,” Cowan explains.

Ticket prices for the show range anywhere between $5 to $50 depending on who’s playing and what time of day the show is being played. More often than not there will be a lower rate for tickets if they are purchased in advance through Wantickets.com.

As an added incentive for WMC pilgrims planning to spend a few short hours sleeping during WMC at The Shelborne, all registered Shelborne guests will receive complimentary entrance to all WMC events occurring at the hotel and associated venues. Rooms can be booked at the Shelborne online or via their reservations department at 800 327-8757 or 305 531-1271.

“As always the Shelborne is the Hub of WMC,” Cowan says. “Our partnership with DJMag should only make this experience greater and with our focus on production you should expect daily surprises and a week of fun in the sun with top notch music and Talent.”

The list of artists confirmed for day and night parties as of press time is:

David Guetta
Danny Tenaglia
Hernan Cattaneo
Darren Emerson
Jonathan Peters
Fedde Le Grand
Sasha
Sander Kleinenberg
Nick Warren
Dave Seaman
Dubfire
Anderson Noise
Gui Boratto
Steve Lawler
Axwell
Steve Angello
Sebastian Ingrosso
Way out West (Live)
DJ Jazzy Jeff

To get tickets to this year's WMC events visit wantickets.com.