Fans poured into day two of the Ultra Music Festival (read our day one recap here) at a slightly slower pace considering their intense, party-packed week but once inside the music-filled playground they switched into high-energy party mindset.
Vicetone played a daytime spot at the UMF Radio Stage getting a solid reception and an added applause when Nicky Romero appeared on stage. All the artists have been professionally supportive of each other’s work such as with Vicetone’s “Tremble” on Romero’s “Legacy” release.
Sisters Krewella — Jahan Yousaf, Yasmine Yousaf — sans third band member Rain Man, wowed the main stage, sharing split time behind the decks and at stage front on vocals. They played “Punk,” gave a shout-out to their hometown of Chicago and a shout-out to their absent band member. They also gave a dedication to their parents who they said were somewhere else viewing the live stream (and enjoying bragging rights, I’m sure) as they went into “Legacy.”
Gramatik’s set at the Live Stage set was doused with the artist’s instinctive genre, hip-hop, but then spanned the generations, and quite successfully, when the very classic “Superstition” hit the sound system bringing fans to the aisles.
Bro Safari incited the crowd at the Worldwide Stage as the genres seamlessly mixed from hip-hop to drum ‘n’ bass.
The last day at the W Hotel for the SiriusXM Music Lounge proved to be bittersweet because the warm hospitality and stunning ambiance was coming to an end. But always in dazzling style the event went out with a bang wrapping up with the Armin van Buuren and Friends’ Armada Takeover with artists Cedric Gervais, Audien, Ørjan Nilsen and Andrew Rayel (below).
Audien mixed out from “Wayfarer” into “Sun And Moon” then on to “Now Or Never” and the staff cranked up the party mode a notch for this finale as the emcee jumped on mic to announce, “Give it up for Audien. Give it up for open bar!” The crowd cheered.
Ferry Corsten mingled with Ben Gold. Ruben de Ronde took a spot in the SiriusXM interview seat. Max Vangelli and Thomas Gold made their rounds. Ørjan Nilsen was full of on-stage antics even while dropping the beautiful “Once Lydian.”
Later in the day we hiked over to Miami from South Beach with the masses for the first day of Ultra Music Festival.
Zedd threw the crowd for a loop when he played his famed “Clarity” including a crowd involvement on the chorus but then dropped into the “Smack My Bitch Up” intro.
The sound of the ocean and the scent of sea air makes it easy to wake when you’re in Miami during Winter Music Conference and Miami Music Week. Plus, the fact that the day’s agenda includes seeing top-notch DJs doing intriguing things makes you want to start your day as soon as you open your eyes.
My second day of WMC 2014 began at the Sirius XM Satellite Radio Music Lounge provides at the always posh, classic and intimate W Hotel, an ideal locale for your Miami Music Week fix. During the festive week SiriusXM’s Music Lounge continues to broadcast live DJ sets and interviews at UMF Radio (Ultra Music Festival Radio). Today’s schedule showcased the Hardwell presents Revealed Takeover alongside W&W, Dyro, Dannic and Deorro.
Each of the artists captivated the crowd with a full hour-long DJ set that grew in energy as the day progressed and the crowd multiplied to capacity. Artists including Zedd, Showtek, Tommie Sunshine, Steve Aoki, Gareth Emery and Rebecca and Fiona rolled through for interviews, networking and to party with the rest of us. A shining moment and pleasant surprise was the appearance of Amba Shepherd who sang as Hardwell dropped their popular collaboration “Apollo.”
Just a few blocks away at the Baoli Miami, Philips Consumer Lifestyle hosted the celebration of Armin van Buuren’s headphone launch. Fellow artists like Nic Chagall and Stefan “Bossi” Bossems of Cosmic Gate made an appearance in support of their friend. The courtyard event included rotating platters of items such as sushi, chicken teriyaki skewers and mousse and concluded with a DJ set from van Buuren himself. Prior to his set van Buuren unveiled the new Philips A5-PRO, a pair of headphones designed from his own personal, hands-on input and from his collaboration with Philips and their design rep. After perfecting and redesigning prototypes, the team came back with the finished product in the A5-PRO. (And they’re affordable at just under $300.) Van Buuren is confident with the durability, reliability and the compactness of the headphones, including its unique one-handed, pop-open feature — this is from a man who’s a bit in the know.
The day wrapped with Gareth Emery’s Garuda album release party of his latest album, Drive. Hors d’oeuvres and drinks were served to mingling guests as Drive streamed in the background of the swanky upstairs lounge of the Cavalli South Beach. Emery’s latest effort features collaborations with Krewella and with his sister, Roxanne Emery. Drive also includes track with Christina Novelli and Ben Gold who were on hand to later offer thunderous DJ sets to entertain the crowd as the mood roared into nightclub mode. Drive also features “U” as a collaborative effort with artist Bo Bruce and is also rotating through the club circuit enjoying an overwhelming reception.
This party is only getting story. Check in tomorrow for more!
Miami and South Beach are an especially welcome winter relief. A late arrival provided just enough time to hit up The Clevelander for a quick interview with Sydney Blu following her performance at her BLU Party 5 Year Anniversary. She was delightful and candid about her career success in her home country of Canada, her relationship with deadmau5 and a famous lady who inspired her to do what she loves.
Wednesday was all about the Sirius XM Satellite Radio Music Lounge at the W Hotel. It featured free-flowing tropical cocktails and beer sponsored by Smirnoff and Heineken, A-list and emerging artists, high-profile drop-ins and networking from some of everyone’s favorites in the scene.
Early entertainment came from MOTi who jumped right in with the funk-ridden “Careless” by Dusky. A string of rousing sets started with the duo of Dzeko & Torres (above) who featured a rendition of the former Ultra Music Festival’s promotional track “Sparks.” The rapid-rising and enthusiastic Martin Garrix was briefly joined on stage by Afrojack (below) as he played their collaboration “Elephant.”
The event was a highlight but some particularly shining moments came from Seven Lions (below), who managed to meander through with an intro track like “A Thing Called Love” while projecting an emotive stature then transitioning into a dubstep track with appropriate head-banging and hair flinging antics.
