Already enjoying the sounds of the Winter Music Conference and Ultra Music Week during my rejuvenation brunch, Finnegan’s Way on Ocean Drive was pumping out Wolfgang Gartner and Deadmau5. It was a pleasant surprise considering I hadn’t even stepped foot into the hundreds of parties just getting started for the day between South Beach and Miami.
On arrival to the Shelborne Hotel somebody was overhead delving into the archives with a remix of Pet Shop Boys “Can You Forgive Her.” James Zabiela soon took over and followed suit with a revival of Depeche Mode’s “Behind The Wheel” offering an overall deep set transforming to sounds of trance. Revelers dipped in the Shelborne’s pool, lined the hot tub and indulged in the free tequila shots.
Rush hosted the AVA Takeover Party. The venue although not very impressive on the exterior bordering on “closed for business” made up for this modesty hosting some of the best EDM talent of the night.
Mr. Personality Boom Jinx ignited the Rush crowd with Cosmic Gate’s “Back To Earth” eventually wrapping up his set with a pogo dance in the audience.
Marcus Schossow was up next with Axwell’s remix of “In My Mind,” Arty’s remix of “Walking Alone,” and the Heatbeat’s energetic “Rocker Monster.”
Joseph Areas played “This Love” by my personal favorites, Kyau & Albert. All attention turned to the mesmerizing Betsie Larkin who had taken to the catwalk, center floor, belting out the classics like Super8 & Tab’s “All We Have Is Now,” John O’Callaghan’s “Save This Moment,” and a finale of Ferry Corsten’s “Made Of Love.” Who knew the female in the Piet Mondrian dress who passed me on the DJ booth steps just minutes prior was the lovely Ms. Larkin herself!
When it was time to call it a night at 3:20am DJ tyDi was still rocking the crowd starting with his unreleased “Rewind” featuring Emma Hewitt. He gave a nod to the fan in the Soundprank T-shirt and an enthusiastic handshake to the guy sporting the Anjunabeats T-shirt. He moved on to Gareth Emery’s “Concrete Angel” and Bart Claessen’s remix of “Love Comes Again.” I could still hear the lingering vocals of tyDi’s own “Half Light” featuring Tania Zygar as I walked out onto the (still) very lively streets of South Beach.
Images by Kathy Vitkus