hey whats up there party people?, i have just touched home home for WMC Miami 2010 and am in the process of uploading photo's to my FACEBOOK (Rhett Brownbridge) *soon on rfcrew.com* and videos 1000RF channel on youtube.
I was so blessed to have met so many awesome people, i handed out like 100 business cards, so i hope some of you come check this out. also, what a great time with some of my calgary people that made the trip! you rule! at the conference i met amazing people, got dozen's of CD's and can't wait to check them all out and get back to you. I'll be posting more of my work and replacing the Music links with Permanent ones soon.
So lets start from the beginning, this is WMC's 25 Anniversary which means this has been going on since '85, i couldn't even imagine miami then. My impression and Expectations of the Conference itself were a little misguided. I was expecting a larger trade show (not many manufactures on hand). They seminars were useful but were more q&a panels with known artists. Now having said that, i took in a few tho not as many as i first thought i would. Its really hard to justify sitting in doors when beaches, patio parties, and thousands of gorgeous women were running around. So i spent a lot of time on the beach and patio partying during the day. At night i hit the clubs. Miami Beach is really pricey at this time of year, if you bring lots of money you should be okay, i mean i spent lots but not as much as i thought i would. If you don't bring alot of money you might be careful where you stay, and what you spend. Fun costs money! but there are many free parties taking place everywhere, like the beatport patio party for example, so its not just bottom level entertainment for free but some pretty substantial events as well. If you register for WMC you get a pass which gets you into all kinds of events free of charge *dozens of them literally* but i found with the number of people i met coming for things like ultra and world of drum and bass, the non-sanctioned events were usually your best bet for fun.
Some good places to eat include Sushi Rock Cafe' on Collins Ave. Puerto Segua on collins *south beach* (its a cuban american place, and much like a number of places in miami having atleast some fluency in Spanish can help. the guy seating us didn't speak any english what so ever. but the staff all did). Now having said that, Alcohol is Cheap in the US, a case of heineken should only cost you 12$ or less, hard liqour varies. but as soon as you eat out or go clubbing get ready to pay 9$ for a beer, 12$ for mixed drinks. and my favorite *crown and coke* cost me a whopping 15$ !!!! but here is the bright side! they don't use shot glasses to measure drinks, so more often then not you get ice, booze *like anywhere from 3-6 ounces*, and a bit of mix for "coloring ;) ", so have a few of those and you'll have your lean on for hours! just don't over do it, the nights are long and you want to see and do it all. Around Lincoln and Collins ave you can find some more reasonable places to eat quick and drink. but be careful when you get your bill. many places automatically add a tip anywhere from 17% to 22% on your bill, and have another tip line on the slip trying to get you to cough up more on your intoxicated state. I mean this is everywhere, even at a burger stand in the EDEN ROC, 10$ sandwhich and a 6$ beer turns into 24$ (i mean wtf right? you don't tip on fast food usually and definitely shouldn't be forced too). On the Bright side, and one of my favorite features of Miami is you can buy beer ANYWHERE!!! i'm pretty sure i drank on almost every street, and the stores are reasonable always willing to give you a paper bag. lol
So my clubbing experience in Miami is like this. You can find almost any event every day for music you like. I Took in at night World of Drum and Bass *mekka*, Viram *Heathrow Lounge*, Future Sounds of Breaks *Mekka*, and ULTRA. K first off, Mekka was one of the most unique venues i have ever been too, such a sick layout and around 6 rooms of music with almost too much sound and open all night, 2 blocks from ultra. Now ULTRA, is the biggest event i have ever part taken. it had over 45,000 on friday when i went with so many stages (like 10 all big). My favorite was the dome, with 2 acts "Stripe" *i think* and "Joachim Garraud". only the pictures can describe my words. I would 100% go again, even tho security staff were useless and didn't know where to pick up your tickets at all (i almost walked around the place twice and just about waiting in a 1 hour long line for nothing). It does end at midnight, but with miami's late night clubs, its a pretty huge start to your night. It is Super Commercial and i don't like to hate on the successful guys in the biz mainly the ones on the 2 biggest stages, but i just goes to show you what you can turn someone into with mass marketing. its not all about the music for some, but the fact they can be sold. lol
So I've seen so many acts over the past week i don't even know where to begin. Bailey was a big fav, Stripe, MightyFools, Sub Focus, Napt, DJ Icey, Robb G, Baby Anne, Plump Djs, Goldie, DJ SS, John B, Andy C, Fort Knox Five, Ed Solo. Even Kaskade was fun with some people from LA i had met earlier at my Hotel, and i Usually don't get down to that kind of music. It Truly is the Atmosphere that makes it everywhere you go, the togetherness and party unity of people traveling from all over the world for on spectacular week in the sun going at it day and night.
So honestly i will be going again, next year? i'm going to TRY! its a pricey venture when you get there, but so worth it in every way. big ups calgary peeps, Ziggy, Rachel, Isaac, Sam, Jeff, & Sheena!!! Big ups to the LA Crew Shelby, Valerie, Kelly, and your other buddy i don't remember his name. Marisa from n.y. state and her peeps. and everyone i met and got photo's with. hope you all check out this and the pics and vids.
If you have any Questions of need Advice please hit me up. I do have more of the inside scoop and tips for your stay and play. It can be an overwhelming place i thought on my first day there, but it gets much easier and better as the week goes on. There is some shadyness and bullshit to avoid. but i'll leave that up to the asking. its like one of my favorite quotes from Slap Shot the movie *probably my old time fav* "i don't know Reg, there are a lot of Shysters in florida" lol . But they can be avoided. lol
I really wouldn't recommenced getting a rental car, roads are a zoo and full of some of the worst driving i have ever seen, narrow streets, etc. its much easier to get a cab and relax, they are plentiful, but know the area you are going and don't let them hit you with a flat rate to go over the causeways from the beach, you'll pay double what you need too.
