Bolerix

For those who appreciate loud repetitive music.

The Best WMC Parties

I wrote a short summary of promising parties here. Now that the Winter Music Conference is about to start I wanted to review the updates and publish a more complete list of must see parties this year.  Go to the list to verify party details as I'm not tracking venue changes/cancellations.

Standard disclosures apply, I'm a progressive house & trance fan.  If you like deep house, breaks, dub, minimal, etc, I'm afraid my tips on parties won't help you much but I do suggest you check out my WMC Guide.   If you have a specific question please comment and I'll track down the answer for you.

 

Tuesday Night - 3/23
  • Marcus Schulz - Bienvenido at Dream - Marcus kicked off last year's WMC with an extraordinary night when he played at the Tuesday Toronto party.   Marcus has been on fire lately and I wouldn't expect anything less from him.  This is a great way to kick off the week.
  • Christopher Lawrence - This is Miami Bitch - at Living Room South Beach - I love his more progressive trance style and if Marcus hadn't had such an amazing set last year this would be my first pick. 
Wednesday Day - 3/24
  • Blank & Jones, Gareth Emery, Menno de Jong, Cosmic Gate - Dip In - National Hotel -  Acclimate to the beautiful weather and get a bass blood infusion to set your week of right.  If you like Trance, this party is a great option.   
  • Kaskade, Markus Schulz - Sirius XM Poolparty - Gansevoort.   I prefer non-radio to radio events since DJs tend to play for the radio audience.   Expect sets that are rather intense for a pool party (but will be perfectly normal for a radio listener).  They're talking about that Anjunabeats mystery guest here.  Whoever that guest is here will probably be at the Anjunabeats party on Thursday... my money is on Above and Beyond.
  • Pryda, Way out West, Sharam, Zeibeila, Fancuilli - DJMag at the Shelborne. 
      • Chus & Ceballos - 10 Years in Stereo at Gansevoort Beach.  Starting at 4 and ending at 9 this is a great way to check out Chus & Ceballos and still have your night free.  
Wednesday Night - 3/24

This is a night to use your badge and check out a variety of parties.   While there are some parties that seem interesting, nothing is a must see in my book.   Swing by some of the smaller venues that offer free admission for badge holders and see if you can find something new.
  • BT, George Acosta - Black Hole Recordings at Karma.  BT has put together some pretty amazing stuff lately, so if you're a fan I suggest you check it out.   
  • Ned Shepard - I Want House at Karu & Y.  Not worth the trip to miami proper all by itself, if you're in the area swing by to hear Shepard.   
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Thursday Day - 3/25
  • Steve Angello - Size Matters at the Eden Roc. - Did you ignore my advice about coming on Tuesday?  If you're just off the plane, love house music, and need to pick up your WMC pass check this event out.  
  • Sander Kleinenberg & Victor Calderone - "This is..." at the Surfcomber pool party- I'm a big fan of Kleinenberg's sets.   Last Friday 3/19 spun an amazing set that was simply extraordinary.  He's proven to me that he can consistently deliver tracks that are original and progress his sound in unexpected ways.   Sander is a must-see DJ, though I recommend seeing him at a night event to get the full experience.  I've never had the pleasure of seeing Calderone but I've heard great things.  If you've not seen one or the other, this is a great way to expose yourself to something new at one of Miami's best pool parties.  Almost every year I end up at this pool and every year I have a great time.   This year its cheap too... buy your tickets early.
  • Funkagenda and others - "Juicy Beach" pool party without the pool at Nikki Beach.   Juicy Beach parties have not generally been worth the price of admission and I'm not a big fan of Nikki Beach's velvet rope culture (If I remember correctly, Juicy Beach parties have not typically been at Nikki).   If you see a name here that you really want to see and you have a large group I suggest bottle service.   If you don't know what to do go to Surfcomber.
Thursday - Night 3/25
  • 16-Bit Lolitas - Anjunabeats at Karu & Y.   This is my #1 choice for Thursday night.  Always a great party it traditionally includes Above & Beyond.  Unfortunately A&B are not on the line-up this year (though they do list a mystery guest).   16-bit Lolitas have churned out amazing music over the last couple of years, If you love great lush progressive house that's not afraid to be confused with trance you must check these guys out.  Also playing are Gareth Emery and Andy Moor, well known for their main stream trance sets.
  • Chus & Cheballos - "Pacha NYC: Nervous all Nite" at Park West.  I've seen Chus and Cheballos before and really enjoyed their sensually intricate and hypnotic sets. Like most South American artists these guys are under-appreciated and well worth a look.   A couple of years ago they spun at a Wednesday pool party that I still regret missing. 
  • Sasha, Digweed at Mansion -  Traditionally one of the biggest parties of the week at a very large venue.
  • Hernan Catteneo at the Shelborne - I love Hernan's music and  you can't beat free (with a WMC Badge).  Personally I'd pick this over Sasha & Digweed since I think Hernan is the most under appreciated DJ in music right now.
  • Sebastian Ingrosso at Set - House music very well played with a DJ that has amazing stage presence.  
Friday day - 3/26
  • Pete Tong, Kaskade, Tiefschwarz at Surfcomber - Want to avoid the Jonathan Peters New York crowd?  Check out this great poolside lineup.  
Friday 3/26
  • D:FUSE - the Return to lost angeles party at Tantra on Friday.   D:FUSE is a very talented Progressive producer and DJ.  He has a history of doing some really creative things with musicians and drummers during his sets and I've always enjoyed the socially upbeat and not too intense flow of his sets.
  • Steve Angello, Sebastian Ingrosso at Mansion.  Great talent, great house music.
  • Chus & Ceballos at the Space Terrace.  If you end up ditching Ultra early, this is a great party in downtown Miami.   After 12 It'll be a zoo outside since PVD will be spinning in the main room (different tickets/admission) and Ultra fans tend to stumbe to nearby space after the festival ends at 12.  If you go to Ultra, make sure you're wearing something club compatible.
  • Nick Warren.  Hope and Therapy at Shine.  I love Nick Warren and this promises to be a great party if you're directionless and need something to do.
  • Hernan Cattaneo, Tiefschwarz, Yousef.  Yousef Presents Circus at the Strip.   Another good option.
Saturday 3/27
  • Ultra. - Yep, I know I've disparaged the event but you must check out the Carl Cox tent.  Its an amazing lineup on Saturday and will be well worth the trip to downtown Miami.  Plus, its free with a WMC Badge.
  • Ferry Corsten at Karu & Y -  I recommend buying a combo pass so you can get into the Buddha Gardens area as well.  Hernan Cattaneo will be playing in the Gardens  (Rumor has it Oakenfold will be spinning... though I tend to avoid him these days). 
  • Sharam, Nick Warren, Alex Kenji, Ned Shepard.  Yoshitoshi Anniversary at Mekka.  A Miami Downtown event that will go all night and all morning filled with loads of talent. 
  • Scumfrog, D:Fuse.  Sullivan Room at the Living Room.  Great price and some great talent if you're looking for something not quite as intense as Ultra or Karu & Y.
  • George Acosta.  Sunrise 7:17 on the City Lights Sunrise Yacht.   So you've gone really big, blown loads of cash but still have $100 in your pocket?  Hop on the boat at 4 AM and listen to great music as you watch the sun rise. 
Sunday 3/28
  • Danny Tenaglia's Annual Pool Party at The Shelborne.   You're burnt, you've checked out of your room, you have a flight out at 9pm what do you do?  You take your bags to the Shelborne, pay the bellhop to hang on to them for a few hours, go to the pool and soak up every last bit of sun and sound before you hail the taxi and stumble onto the plane.   This is the only respectable way to end your week.
  • Hed Kandi Closing Party at Nikki Beach.  Get bottle service, find a chair to lay down on and enjoy the last beats of the week.   Don't feel like bottle service? then avoid Nikki and go to the Tenaglia pool party.
  • Not a fan of Tenaglia?  Try Axwell at the Surfcomber.  He is also playing at Mansion Sunday night if you somehow have any energy left.
Enjoy your week.  Pace yourself and have fun.

-Travis