Just two short weeks removed from SXSW 2014, and the electronic music season for 2014 officially kicks off today with Miami Music Week, which will transform the city of Miami into an EDM haven for DJs, producers, industry heads, and fans alike. It started out as the Winter Music Conference (and many heads still see this time as such), but it has gotten bigger than that. If you're an android in Miami or making your way out there, we figured a run down of the can't-miss events was more than necessary. Everything from the granddaddy of modern EDM festivals to some of the smaller parties are covered. If you want to get your groove on to the most upfront and glorious sounds the scene has to offer, park yourself at any one of these events and go ham.
Good Times Miami
Date(s): March 26-27, 2014
Location: Wynwood
Lineup: A-Trak B2B Craze, Anna Lunoe B2B Annie Mac, Boys Noize B2B Brodinski, Skrillex B2B What So Not
Tickets: LINK
OWSLA's in the house, and they brought their friends along: MTA, Fool's Gold, Boysnoize Records, Slow Roast, Bromance, SMOG, and Jeffree's for a night of massive B2B performances. Sometimes DJs get way more excited (and exciting) when they're bouncing ideas off of each other, so to see a full line-up of dream B2Bs (that A-Trak B2B Craze set has crazy dance music meets turntablism potential) warms our hearts. Make sure you're hitting Good Times ASAP.
Hard Miami
Date(s): March 26-27, 2014
Location: Grand Central
Lineup: Boys Noize, M.I.A., Zeds Dead, RL Grime, Cashmere Cat, Tchami, Tourist, Branchez, Shift K3Y, Basement Jaxx, Brodinski, Julio Bashmore, Dusky, Destructo, Breach, MK, Amine Edge & Dance, Claptone, T. Williams, Amtrac, Wax Motif
Tickets: LINK
This might as well just be a showcase for the hottest names in dance music. Boyz Noize, RL Grime, Cashmere Cat, Zeds Dead and even MIA? This one is about to be the jumpoff. Two nights of madness is barely enough here though. I'd potentially just sell the Ultra ticket and go to this one if I was in Miami.
Stacked
Dirtybird BBQ
Nicole Moudaber presents In the MOOD
Pacha Presents MixMash Records Pool Party
World of Drum & Bass
Remembrance Festival
Date(s): March 27, 2014
Location: Ice Palace Studios
Lineup: Bingo Players, Carl Tricks, Dada Life, David Tort, Henry Fong, MAKJ, Tommy Trash
Tickets: LINK
A truly special event, Remembrance Festival is being held to honor the life of fallen Bingo Player, Paul Baümer. Baümer, who lost his battle with cancer in December of last year, had asked that the Bingo Players continue on without him so this festival will be very special as they not only honor his wishes, but they honor his spirit.
Future Classic Miami 2014 WMC Party
Date(s): March 27, 2014
Location: Bardot
Lineup: Cashmere Cat, Chet Faker, Chrome Sparks, Wave Racer, What So Not, Touch Sensitive, Trippy Turtle
Tickets: LINK
Most of the best parties at MMW are usually in South Beach. You can walk from one to the next and easily get around. Downtown Miami isn't quite the same though so when you're making the trip, it should be for something amazing like Future Classic's party is sure to be.
Markus Schulz "Open-to-Close" Marathon
SMOG vs. Firepower
Date(s): March 27, 2014
Location: Mekka
Lineup: 12th Planet, Andy C, Bro Safari, Nadastrom, Adam F, Ed Rush & Optical, Datsik, THUGLI
Tickets: LINK
SMOG and Firepower do dirt on their own, but linking up for this five-room massive will bring you the biggest, brightest, and best of the bass music scene from both sides of the Atlantic.
Get Trashed with Tommy Trash
Ultra Music Festival
Date(s): March 28-30, 2014
Location: Bayfront Park
Lineup: Tiesto, Avicii, Hardwell, Diplo, Afrojack, Steve Angello, Gesaffelstein, Chase & Status, Carl Cox, Dillon Francis, Kill the Noise
Tickets: LINK
This is the reason most people even hit Miami during Miami Music Week. If you're down spending hundreds of dollars, it is worth it if you're a) into huge, stadium-ready EDM music, b) want to see a bunch of bass music DJs on smaller stages, or c) want to go somewhere where you can catch Carl Cox and RiFF RAFF on the same day. This is EDM.
Toolroom Knights vs. Stereo Productions
Skrillex & Friends
Richie Hawtin Presents ENTER.MIAMI
No Sugar Added Beach Festival 2014
Date(s): March 28-29, 2014
Location: Nikki Beach
Lineup: Tommy Trash, Bingo Players, Chris Lake, Danny Avila, Pegboard Nerds, Tchami, Audien, TJR, Seven Lions, Clockwork, Arty, Henry Fong, Dyro, Sick Individuals
Tickets: LINK
This showcase, if nothing else, highlights one of the best lineups for fans of everything house. Turbo-charged, fun-loving, emotional, gritty, fun: all sides of the scene are covered in this one.
Deep Dish Reunion
Anjunadeep in Miami
Locol Dice Presents… USED + ABUSED
Date(s): March 30, 2014
Location: Surfcomber Hotel
Lineup: Loco Dice, tINI, Guti (Live), Robert Dietz, Hector, Oliver $, Yaya
Tickets: LINK
Loco Dice absolutely smashes his sets and is one of the best DJs today. His compilation Defected In The House was one of my favorites of 2013 and if his live show is anything like that, it's going to be ridiclously good.