Ultra Fest 2011 Line Up
As a Miami native, I can say that I know first-hand what happens to our music scene every March and April - the World Music Conference (WMC). Basically, every year the entire electronic music industry, from promoters to producers, descend on Miami for the annual WMC. The conference decides who and what is important to our respective scenes. It’s a great place for industry money makers to pat each other on the back, and decide who will, or won’t be allowed in the “club.”
If you live in Miami, or anywhere nearby, as I have from 1999-2008, it’s a month of massive parties. Still, it’s not the reason for the conference, it’s the by-product. As I mentioned before, WMC is for industry insiders. For a “light” registration fee of $400, you are allowed access to promotional workshops, topical meetings and initial releases of music and various products. Think of it as conference for any type of industry - just cooler and more exclusive.
WMC DJ Workshop
WMC Panel
In between the meetings and events of the World Music Conference, lots of promotional events are put on day or night. The events are basically parties to you and me. The people throwing them can be manufacturers (like Stanton, Pioneer, Vestax, Apple, Native, etc), labels, DJ syndicates or promoters. A lot of the time they combine forces and throw bigger parties, like my personal favorite, The Future Sound of Breaks annual (Miami is home to breakbeats, from funky to electro).
Future Sound of Breaks 2010 Line Up (My Personal Favorite WMC Party)
Future Sound of Breaks 2011 Line Up (My Personal Favorite WMC Party)
The major party of the Conference is Ultra Fest. I can easily say it’s the world’s biggest party - year after year. When it first began as a beach party in 1999, Ultra was a daylong event with regional talent Baby Anne and Rabbit in the Moon. In 2000, Ultra was headlined by Sasha and Digweed. As Ultra evolved the headliners grew in number, and so did the massive scale of the party. Now the Ultra party is three days, in a huge state park, with several stages. Almost every DJ and producer that you know, and so many others we don’t, are on the bill. The cost to attend is retarded, just a little below $100 a day. If you attend the WMC, as a registrant, or your considered an insider, it’s free.
Ultra Fest Main Stage
Ultra Fest Crowd
I used to love the WMC months when I lived in Miami - but not past 2003. Now it’s where all richest people from all over the world come to party, because they can afford it. Most of the attendees and party revelers that attend WMC parties (and Ultra), don’t have a real understanding for the music. Lots of attendees nowadays are Euro trash, or rich South Americans that have made events overcrowded and too expensive to attend. I feel poor next to them because I can’t even afford to buy water anymore. In 2008, a bottle of water at Ultra was $10, and you had to wait in line for over an hour to get it. If you can afford the Ultra VIP package you get waited on, with no lines, and special areas away crowded masses - upfront.
Nothing like our hardworking Edmontonians
“…um…can you like tell me who the DJ playing is??…He to-tally rocks”
Sometimes I’m glad I traded Miami for Edmonton
So to get back to my point. Parties, concerts, massives, etc, die-off worldwide each year because they all converge on one place - Miami. WMC began in earnest, but now it’s becoming more of a spectacle for insiders and rich tourists, rather than a place for real heads to meet, talk and share. And that’s a same.
-Das Capital
Edmonton Bangers
