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Now in its 23rd year, the Winter Music Conference in Miami remains the leading ‘networking event’ in dance music. And, of course, a perfectly good excuse for getting wankered and attending pool parties. It’s back in 2008 from 25-29 March at Miami Beach Resort & Spa – and so is its troubled spin-off event, Ultra Music Festival.
Over the five days, there will be seminars and panels, remixing and editing workshops, exhibits and the International Dance Music Awards ceremony. Not to mention parties. Lots and lots of parties. To peruse the schedules for 2008, head to the WMC website.
The Ultra Music Festival is the WMC’s official closing event, and this year marks its tenth anniversary. With over 200 acts and 40,000 punters it’s a beast of a party, and reports tend to be mixed.
On his website, Damian Lazarus had this to say of last year’s Ultra: “If there is rain forecast on the day of an outdoor music festival, do you think it may be a good idea to have some covering over the DJ booths? Had the organisers prepared for this possibility they could have avoided the stage I was playing on from blowing up mid-Tiga set and saved an Allen & Heath mixer from floating down a sloppy mud slope as hundreds of ravers head for cover from the exploding heavens and equipment.”
That said, the line-up in 2008 (while heavy on obvious names) is not to be sniffed at:
Day One: Tiesto, Carl Cox, Justice, Richie Hawtin, Danny Tenaglia, Rabbit in the Moon, Steve Lawler, BT, Josh Wink, James Zabiela, M.A.N.D.Y., Erol Alkan, Boys Noize, Dirty South, Deadmau5, Annie Mac, Jackal & Hyde, Monk, Keven, Audiofly
Day Two: Paul Van Dyk, Carl Cox, Armin Van Buuren, Sasha & John Digweed, David Guetta, Benny Benassi, DJ Dan & Donald Glaude, Layo & Bushwacka, Fedde Le Grande, Andy C & MC GQ, Planet of the Drums, Goldie, Dillinja & Lemon D, Fabio, Shy FX, Ed Rush & Optical, DJ Fresh & MC Ivory, Photek, Adam F, Francesco Rossi
