Bolerix

The conference passes to the Winter Music Conference just went on sale.  I won't be going this year but I figured I should write down some tips and advice for those that are new to it.  Get them here.

First, about me: I've gone to WMC seven times starting in 2000.  I'm a music fan, don't have anything going on in the music business and am completely devoid of talent.  For me, WMC is an opportunity to hear the best music spun by the best DJs.  Each year I have a handful of specific sets to track down, but I mostly enjoy being exposed to stuff I haven't heard before. 
 
What is WMC? The conference is an opportunity for industry types to make contacts and do business.  Almost every promoter, DJ, and Label attends the conference.  Most years also coincide with Miami's fashion week.  So if you're a fan of electronic music, and don't mind beautiful women everywhere this is about as good as it gets.

What kind of music? If it has a repetitive beat its represented here.  From soul house, to techno, to minimal, to progressive house there are parties to please all.   Last year the dominant sound seemed to be minimal/techno, the year before was tech house.  Its October, so I think its too early to say what the dominant sound for 2010 will be.   If you like the more underground genres (such as breaks or glitch) they are usually represented but a bit harder to find.   If you're not sure, contact a label/promoter that plays the music you like to see if they are hosting any parties.  If something is very new it might not have enough of a following to support the costs/risks of throwing an event at the WMC.

What if I like hip-hop? The Miami Hip Hop sound is very electronic and in my opinion is moving towards house.   There are some events, but I don't think I'd pay premium dollar to see them during WMC.  Besides, is music really music if an MC talks over it the whole time?
 
Use The List. This is the best overview of what events are going on in Miami.  Sometimes there are last minute changes, so don't ignore the posters because some great events are added at the last minute. http://www.wintermusicconference.com/thelist/

Miami isn't always this way.  Any other time of year you're not going to get anything resembling WMC.   For one glorious week the city is filled with sophisticated fans, industry workers, fashion models, and 24 hour party people.   Yes, there are always parties in Miami, but if you get there early or late you'll get submersed in tacky spring break nonsense.  When I first started going, Spring Break still had its tenticles in south beach.  Now south beach is exclusive to those who can afford it during that week.  If you get there early check out Key West... better yet don't get there early.

So when should I go? The week gets more intense as you go.  I like to get there during the day on Tuesday and leave on Sunday.  The first events are on Monday and the last ones are Sunday.  The Monday parties often don't have DJ's I'm particularly excited to see, and by Sunday I can barely stand.
 
Where is the party?  I think of Lincoln and Collins as the center of the WMC.  The pool parties are north of Lincoln, and the clubs are south on Washington.  Each year there are new and disapearing venues but I've never gone wrong by staying within a couple of blocks of this intersection.  Each night there are a few parties in Miami proper (and there are some great clubs there).  I prefer taking a taxi since Miami is a ghost town during the day.  The Conference itself is more about business then Parties.  If you want a mellow day check out the seminars at the conference venue, you might find something pretty cool.  

WMC is not cheap. Yes, you can cut corners to save some cash.  Hotel rooms less then $350/night mean loud, 1950's rooms with uncomfortable beds.  If you're young and have earplugs check out the hostel type places on Collins.  Book now.  With hotel, food, beverages, and event tickets I spend between $2000-$3000 for a 5 night stay where I share a room with a friend.

Waiting is expensive. Everything gets much more expensive the longer you wait.  Right now a WMC pass is $250, it'll be $600 in February.  Those crappy but cheap $150/night hotel rooms will be booked by December.  $350/night nice places will be booked in November.  If you want to stay in South beach in a comfortable room and book in Jan, expect $500/night.  Airline tickets that fly out on Sunday get very expensive by January. 

Buy a conference pass.  Conference passes give you the flexibility to change plans and see stuff you wouldn't pay money up front for.  WMC pass holders get into many events for free or at reduced price, they usually skip lines, Each year I have a couple of nights where I bail on a party that just isn't working for me and I spontaneously show up to a WMC sponsor event.   Historically, WMC passes get you into Ultra but they won't tell you this until the WMC passes go up in price.

Ultra. At one point Ultra was the best festival I'd ever been too.  In recent  years, to increase draw they've incorporated live acts and even some hip hop.  These changes have resulted in poor flow at stages, unpredictable set times, and morose crowds.  Pete Tong himself talked very harshly on how poor the organization at ultra was in 2009.  I talk more about it here: http://bolerix.com/festivals-are-for-djs .  If you do go, Carl Cox has his people run their own tent.  This is where its at.  I'd say even if you're a trance fan you'll have a better time in this tent because it simply goes off.  The electricity is unreal and the music truly is something to behold.  Ultra should learn a thing or two from what goes on in this tent since the energy and momentum is what used to be what made Ultra great.

Avoid going with rookies.  You want low maintenance companions.  If your friend can't handle his/her drugs or booze, becomes an ass when sleep deprived, or can't really afford the trip then do NOT invite them.  There is nothing more annoying then listening to people groan about prices, fatigue, etc.

Don't drive once you're there.  Its silly and a waste of time.  If you need a cab, don't pick it up on Washington when its busy.  You'll sit in traffic for a long time.  Instead walk to a cross street and catch a cab where they can head west to avoid the traffic.

Go to pool parties.  They're awesome and WMC passes can help with the price.

Don't stay north of South Beach.  Yes, the Eden Roc Renaissance is where the conference is.  They'll have some turntable contests, maybe even an award ceremony there.  The price is right.  However, you're a cab ride from almost every other event in South Beach.  Sure, that might work for you... until you can't get a cab at midnight to take you back to the hotel to pick up comfortable shoes for your rookie girlfriend and that DJ you want to see is due on in 30 minutes.

Dress Code.  Club clothes are standard at night.  I wear a nice shirt, jeans, and trendy sneakers but I'm clueless when it comes to fashion.  WMC pass holders can get in wearing anything except shorts & sandals (I have seen them get away with this, but it doesn't always work)

Start on Tuesday.  The Tuesday parties are usually great.  Everyone is fresh and is in the mood to get things going properly.  If you have a favorite DJ that is spinning on Tuesday, don't wait until later in the week to see them.   Last year we saw Markus Schultz and the crowd was amazing.  For me, being at an event where everyone notices when a new, great track is getting dropped is about as good as it gets.  These are my kind of people.

VIP. I live in San Francisco where VIP sections are rare and VIPs are often mocked.  Miami is all about VIP, Bottle service, etc.   I don't really understand it so I can't give you any pointers.  In some places its crazy, Nikki Beach will have a hundred empty tables and lounges and 10 security guys kicking people out of the area.  Some clubs relax their VIP culture during WMC, others simply don't get it.

Specifics:

Hotels:

• Courtyard Marriott.  More modern building, very quiet for Miami, they won't screw up your reservation.   Its close enough to ground zero where you can walk to any party in south beach.
• Royal Palm.   The genuine WMC experience.  Right on the ocean, Pacha has pool parties here most days and they have music spinning in the lobby until the wee hours of the morning.  No big names, so you can find a beach chair, chill in the pool, or dance without the chaos of most events.

Space.  I haven't been in 5 years but it was hellishly crowded when I did.  They have these passes where you can go to as many/few events as  you like.  They were a rip off since I spent way too much time waiting to get in when they were over capacity.   I hear great things about their terrace, and they have some great names go through.

Special events:  Leave a comment if you have an event you want me to talk about, but below is what came to mind when I thought about it.  I'm a big trance fan, but WMC tends to be more about house for me and I watch the trance DJ's where they're best... at large outdoor events.

• Above & Beyond: They spin a great party each year with a great crowed.  In 2007 they played the best set I've ever heard at the WMC.
• Markus Schultz:  Last year we saw him at the Tuesday party (Toronto).  Worth seeing if it happens again.
• WMC Awards Ceremony.  I've never gone, but I hate award ceremonies.
• Sunday night parties (last night).  I've never done these, but I've heard great things.  If you leave on Monday and still have energy check it out.

Ultra Music Festival:   Yea, I already said it but let me rephrase.  DON'T GET SUCKED INTO THE NAME GAME.  Ultra gave PVD a 30 minute set, Deadmau5 a 5 minute set at the main stage in 2009.. all to make room for a stage change for Prodigy and a surprise (but decent) 10 minute performance by a Hip Hop DJ (yea, I'm not kidding).  Even if the set is good, you'll be surrounded by clueless festival goers that don't really like or understand the music as they wait for a top 40 band to start playing.  The Main stage has 20-30,000 people and is really nothing more then an advertising medium now.

• Go to the Carl Cox tent to see how a real festival is run.
• The main stage has the best audio video setup I've ever seen.  Check it out on your way to the bathrooms... too bad its wasted.  
• If you want to see a proper trance set, they usually happen after Ultra at Mansion on Thursday/Friday night. (sometimes Saturday).  Buy your tickets early to ensure you get in.  Tiesto's done this for the last couple of years and these were the hottest tickets at the conference.   If you want an awesome outdoor trance party, WMC is not where you go.  Try Monster Massive, or New Years in LA (Giant throws decent parties).
• I've never done the Afterparty for Ultra, though I've heard of 1-2 hour waits to get into the venue.
• Its hard to catch a cab to ultra, so expect it will take a while.
• Coming back from Ultra, I catch cabs on the off ramp next to the venue.  Usually cabbies are charging $20/person.  If you don't like this then expect to wait a very long time for an honest cab.

Flights:

• I prefer to fly into Miami, but look at flights into Fort Lauderdale.  A cab ride is $80 from Fort Lauderdale, so if you're flying in with a few others you might be able to get a $2-300 round trip ticket and save some real cash.  Shuttles exist if you're flying in alone.
• Every flight out of Miami is booked from Saturday through Wednesday.  When you take into account all the partiers that miss their flights, standby is a joke.  Don't miss your flight.  I missed my flight and after 24 hours of attempts to leave, I paid $1200 for a prioritized standby slot back to SFO.  The alternative was to wait until Thursday.  I was one of only two to make it onto that flight of 40+ people on standby.
• Double check for flight time changes.
• If you fly into Miami, fly on American.  Its a hub and if anything goes wrong you have a better chance on leaving.  Its worth an extra $50.
• Don't fly out on Saturday.  That's like leaving before desert.

Food: The conference is 5-6 days, take care of yourself.  Make time for food.  I usually eat twice a day with the occasional 4AM munchie break.

• Take care when eating on Ocean, the food is often bad and always over priced.  A couple of places go out of their way to screw over customers (ask for prices).
• Thai House South Beach is great food at a decent price.  It can be very spicy, so know your limit.
• Jerry's famous deli is the stand in.  The food is decent and reliable.  Waits are rare and they have a diverse menu so when you know you're hungry its a great place to eat. 
• Outside of that, use Yelp.  

Hopefully this is helpful.  Comment if something is missing and I'll add it when I have a chance.

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