Every year without fail, Miami Music Week draws some of the dance music’s strongest talent and most raucous crowds for its seven-day frenzy, this year notwithstanding. From Virtual Self‘s acclaimed Clubsystem set with support from Boys Noize to over 30 Diskolab hosted parties, including Green Velvet‘s curated La La Land series, showcases and special sets will run rampant from March 25-31. In addition to the omnipresent and immaculately curated live parties, the week also features the Winter Music Conference (WMC), which hosts industry-revered speakers and hot-button programming galore.
With a global array of DJ talent, producers, and multifarious talent from the music industry at large flocking to the city every year, the cultural significance of Miami Music Week simply can not be overstated. By reaching out to a spoonful of the week’s top performers, Dancing Astronaut was able to discover, from the artists themselves, why the event series is such an impactful celebration for electronic music patrons worldwide.
“Miami hosts the most concentrated, crazy, event-filled week in the year. What with Ultra, the conference, spring break, and all the shows around town it’s a unique chance to see anyone and everyone in the world of electronic dance music. It’s like the whole Ibiza season in a few days, a chance to escape the winter weather and dance in the sunshine, by the pool, on a boat or in a club. We’ve been doing our own shows in Miami for more than a decade now and they are always up there with the best of the year.”
Above & Beyond play Diskolab x Above & Beyond Miami 2019 on Thursday March 28th
“We’ve been going to Miami music week for years. I actually first went when I was 19! It’s a crazy place with countless parties. There’s people from all over the world in one place and that’s what makes it so special and important. We can’t wait for this year as we’re playing some amazing events.”
Gorgon City play Diskolab x La La Land on Saturday March 30th
“WMC time is when I get to meet all my DJ and industry friends in one place. No names attached to an email but real faces, being able to chat face to face about our world is priceless. It’s still one of the best windows to showcase your sound.”
Riva Starr plays Diskolab x SOLA vs BLOW! on Thursday March 28th
“I have been going to the MMW since the ’90s. It is a longstanding tradition that marks the beginning of the festival season.”
Green Velvet Plays Diskolab x La La Land on Sat March 30th
“WMC, a week when everyone from all over the world comes together in sunny Miami for some of the best parties of the year. You never know where you’re going to end up, clubs, rooftops, pool parties, boat parties, the list goes on. Aside from the party atmosphere, it’s a valuable opportunity to discuss some of the hot topics and issues in the industry. There are few events throughout the year where the music world gets together, so we should make the most of them. For us Europeans, it’s also a valuable time of year for us to connect with fans, promoters, other artists, labels and industry professionals who are based over the pond that we might not necessarily get to see as often.”
La Fleur plays Pete Tong Pool Party on Thursday 28th at Surfcomber and Ultra Resistance on Saturday 30th.
“MMW is an institution for me. I have rarely missed it since first coming around 15 years ago. Literally everybody in house music is there somewhere or another and for a week Miami turns into this magical playground where the whole city becomes one big festival in what’s already one of the coolest cities on the planet.”
Doorly plays Diskolab x La La Land on Sat March 30th
“Although there are many electronic music conferences now, Miami is the original one for me and still relevant in that you will always discover a few electronic gems or maybe find some inspiration from a random set somewhere on South Beach. Ultra, of course, remains a great gateway for young new recruits to the electronic music scene especially with them investing so much into their Resistance brand of which I’m very fortunate to be a part of this year.”
James Zabiela plays Ultra Resistance on Sunday 31st
Hector Couto:
“MMW is a hub for labels and all different types of artists and genres to congregate together. It’s definitely the place to be.”
Hector Couto plays Diskolab x SOLA vs BLOW! on Thursday March 28th
“I think any event that brings together the world’s best DJs in one place at the same time, to connect with people on the dance-floor is a special moment, and Miami is one of those moments. However, Miami is the original showcase of our beloved dance music that’s rich in its heritage and legendary in its purpose. Miami Music Week is the time when we hear the music we’ll be dancing to all summer long.”
Danny Howard plays Diskolab x SOLA vs BLOW! On Thursday March 28th
“MMW still matters because it’s one of the best stretches of a week when you can hear hundreds of the world’s best DJs in a short amount of days. And, for the DJ community it’s a great time to meet, hang, inspire and even break new music.”
Nathan Barato plays Diskolab x elrow Miami on Saturday March 30th
“MMW is one of the few times of the year that the music community comes together for a week of some of the best parties, networking, and just general good times. For me, as an artist it’s a chance to play at some super cool parties. This year I play Do Not Sit – always a good time. It’s also a chance to meet up with my friends from the industry who come to Miami from all around the world – there’s a good vibe in Miami that makes everyone a little wild.”
Matthias Meyer plays Diskolab x Do Not Sit By The Pool on Tue March 26th
Cassy:
“Miami is still important because it’s not so important, so whoever is a hardcore fan or a lover of it will go. I meet so many people from around the world, and there is a combination of parties and acts you cannot see anywhere else. Miami is a party place, home to house music and house music artists, and so many parties and trends started there. I have been playing since around 2005, so it’s now a ritual for me, and very important to me personally. I’ve met and formed close friendships and partnerships over the years. I love it and I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
