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!
Images by Dave Vitkus and Kathy Vitkus