MIAMI, Fl. (Top40 Charts) - Ah, the paradoxes of another year at the Winter
Music Conference.
While this annual gathering boasts a talent roster unmatched anywhere in the dance music world, dance aficionados, artists, industry people, and media must come face to face with a daunting enemy: the regular inhabitants of South Beach. On this giant sandbar, publicists cannot gain entry into a venue to support their own clients; individuals with VIP laminates for an event can be consistently turned away in favor of locals; and promoters feel comfortable setting cover charges at $40-$50.
Still, in most cases, the music prevailed over the circumstances. Here are some highlights of the conference, which ran from Friday (March 22) through Wednesday (March 27):
Kelis |
Legit Awards: By all accounts, the DanceStar USA Awards made a smashing debut on Sunday (Mar. 24) night, easily outclassing the WMC's International Dance
Music Awards with star power and sheer production values. Hosted by
Roger Sanchez and
Kelis, the DanceStar show featured A-list performances by
Timo Maas,
Masters at Work, and
Kosheen, and awards that truly embodied dance music culture here in the U.S. Where the IDMAs group chart-topping R&B and hip-hop artists alongside DJs and producers, the DanceStars stayed within the boundaries of club culture, honoring deserving talents like
DJ Heather,
Christopher Lawrence, and
Felix da Housecat.
Daft Punk |
Land of the Free: Major kudos to marquee label Astralwerks for sidestepping South Beach's absolutely horrific door policies by throwing two enormous free parties during the conference: Saturday (March 23)'s Astralwerks party featuring
Daft Punk,
Fatboy Slim, and
Cassius, among others, and Monday (March 25)'s Naked
Music party starring
Lazy Dog,
Miguel Migs, and
Lisa Shaw. Sure, the prices of drinks and food still left much to be desired (that's the venue's territory anyway), but up-close access to the label's many talented acts with zero impact on the wallet made it nearly impossible to complain.
King Britt |
Best Club Night: Once again, San Francisco's Om Records provided
the place to be on Tuesday (March 26) night with an annual fete at Goddess, this year featuring
Mark Farina,
Marques Wyatt,
King Britt,
Juan Atkins,
Soulstice, and a stunning set from
Ming & FS. Loads of publicists, label people, and media could be seen letting loose on what for many would be their final night in Miami.
Kruder & Dorfmeister |
Celeb Sightings: What's with the reality TV connection to dance music?
Temptation Island participant
Kaya Wittenburg was cruising the pool area at the
Maverick Records party Sunday at the Shore Club, and
Real World Seattle's
Irene McGee popped up all over the place, namely at the Marlin Hotel on Friday night and on the exclusive
Urb boat party on Monday. Word has it that Irene's working in the promotions end of the dance music industry these days.
Johnny Knoxville from MTV's
Jackass popped up at
Stuff magazine's Nash Hotel encampment for
Kruder & Dorfmeister's set. Also spotted checking out K&D:
Wayne's World babe
Tia Carrere and
Ralph Lauren.
