Avicii, Hardwell, Oakenfold, Digweed, Kleinenberg, Sneak – the biggest stars on the planet look back at an incredible week in Florida
It was the year Miami not only set the benchmark for EDM in the US, it was the year that we all finally realised that America is here to stay. In a massive way. Commercial on one hand and the underground on the other, the split has happened so quickly and it has left a lot of people scratching their heads wondering just how America, yet again has grabbed all of the headlines in our music world. And what is going to happen next. For those around the globe unable to be there, the live streaming was fascinating – nowhere more so than at Ultra. Hundreds of thousands of kids screaming their heads off to DJs and producers to, well let’s be honest, they didn’t have a clue who they were. No drugs, little alcohol – just pure American enthusiasm rejoicing in a new tag to hang their stars and stripes on. Fuck it. Let them join our parade. The more the merrier we say. DMCWORLD interviewed Sasha two weeks ago, he remarked how although he knew it was going to happen in the States, he didn’t think it was going to happen so quickly and so fast after a false start a decade ago. Wolfgang told us how he was one of the crowd down the front in the 90s at raves in America but never really thought it would be like it is now, the scene has just exploded. Dance music is the new pop music in the US. It’s as simple as that and we are watching very carefully how this billion pound industry will develop there.
Here…DMC checks in with some of our friends from around the world to see just what rocked their boat in what has already gone down as the best week in dance music history. You weren’t there? Well, there’s always next year…
Interviews : Dan Prince and Guy Garrett
Amba Shepherd
Tune of the week
Greyhound SHM
DJ set of the week
Ferry Corsten & John Dahlback at Space
Party of the week
Mixmash Pool Party at The National
Favourite memory of the week
UMF CAN YOU FEEL IT Movie Premiere
Amy Thomson
Tune of the Week
Galantis; Tank and Miike Snow Devil’s Work The Dirty South Remix…sorry I can’t choose between them
DJ Set of the week
Pete Tong playing 3 hours of the sickest dark disco I have ever heard him play
Party of the week
HyperColour with Maya Jane Coles / Eats Everything and friends
Memory of the Week
Getting whisked out of clubs to watch the Djokovich win the Sony Ericsson Tennis Open and sitting with Pontus from Miike Snow in the emergency room when he fractured his hand figuring out if we could score some Vikadin!
Anna Wall from Defected
Tune of the week
Intruder (A Murk Production) – ‘Amame’ (Dyed Soundorom Remix) – this is the one that really shone from the remix package in everyone’s sets last week
DJ set of the week?
Maya Jane Coles @ the Last Resort party, The Villa on Sunday – what a way to round off an incredible week! She played as the sun set, and the crowd were going wild, everyone hugging, high fives etc…epic!!
Party of the week
La Tour with Carl Craig, Guy Gerber, Radio Slave, Nina Kraviz etc. – the first Shelbourne pool party of the week that I attended, the vibe was amazing!
Favourite memory of the week
DJing myself alongside Kevin Saunderson for the Defected Showcase on the top of a Penthouse on Washington Avenue for a live broadcast for the Mixmag DJ Lab
Avicii
“Got no words for how amazing tonight at Ultra was! Big thanks to Madonna, Ultra and especially everyone in the crowd for this experience! Love u guys!”
Bart B More
Tune of the week
Horsepower – Let’s Do It
DJ set of the week
Djedjotronic & Strip Steve b2b
Party of the week
Miami Noize – Boys Noize Records ast Mamushka’s
Favourite memory of the week
The tag team DJ sets with Harvard Bass
Bassjackers
Tune of the week
In My Mind (Axwell Remix), that went insaaaane every time someone dropped it
DJ set of the week
Dada Life at the Musical Freedom party, Arkadia. So much energy and so many phattt tunes…
Party of the week
Kings of Ace Poolparty at The National Hotel. Our agency’s own party and our first Miami gig ever. Amazing atmosphere, beautiful people. Couldn’t wish for a better start of our first mmw…
Carl Kennedy
Tune of the week
Some tune called ‘Once Upon A Time’ got played by Morillo, Tiesto, Calvin Harris – but my tune was Alexandra Burke feat. Erick Morillo ‘Elephant’ Synpho’, the Nympho mix was pretty big
DJ set of the week
Jazzy Jeff
Party of the week
Subliminal at Amnesia Pacha pool party at the Shelbourne
Favorite memory
“Falling in love !!!!”
David Jones
Tune of the week
Swedish House Mafia – Greyhound
DJ set of the week
Sebastian Ingrosso from SHM as Club set and Robbie Rivera as Beach Party.
Party of the week
Juicy Beach was the best party and Ultra the best Festival.
Favourite memory of the week
Robbie Rivera and Roger Sanchez B2B at Nikki Beach. People go crazy!
Dimitri Vegas
Tune of the week
Jacob Van Hage & Dyro – EMP…has worked great in every set of ours! So glad we signed that track!!
DJ set of the week
Really loved Sunnery James & Ryan Marchiano right before us on Ultra…really original set and they left the crowd in a perfect state for us to take over…
Party of the week
Dirty Dutch at Amnesia was off the hook, also DimMak at Mansion… crazy!
Favourite memory of the week
The week was full of them, our own party at Mokaï that was sold out with an amazing crowd…our set at Juicy Beach was insane…Amnesia too…Ultra..next level…can’t wait for next year!
Disco Fries
Tune of the week
7 Dolla Bill – What So Not
DJ set of the week
Bart B More vs. Harvard Bass at Kill Your Idol
Party of the week
There were a tremendous amount of great events, but our personal favorite was playing the Lincoln Road Records event alongside Tommie Sunshine. The energy was unreal
Favourite memory of the week
Being able to talk face to face with so many of the fans and DJs we hear from all of the time online. Its nice to know there are actual humans behind the twitter handles
DJ Mes
Tune of the week
DJ Dan Vs DJ Mes – Don’t Hold Back
DJ set of the week
DJ Sneak Vs. DJ Dan @ ‘House Guests’ party
Party of the week
Guesthouse Music ‘House Guests’ party @ Love Hate
Favorite memory of the week
Hanging with J Paul Getto at Peurto Sagua and buying them their first ever Cafe Con Leche which then turned into 3 Cafe Con leches…talk about a coffee buzz!
DJ Sneak
Tune of the week
Sally (that girl) – Nohe Gomez ~ Magnetic Recordings Sampler 2012
DJ set of the week?
DJ Dan vs DJ Sneak @ Love Hate, epic to say the least
Party of the week?
HouseGuests @ Love Hate – seriously the most packed, hot, wall sweating, smoked up, banging ass party of the conference for me
Best party
‘House Guests Party by Guesthouse Music’
Favourite memory of the week
“Spending whatever little time I had free with my parents, brother, wife and new baby. Family WMC.”
Eats Everything
Tune of the week
Jessie Ware – Running (Disclosure Remix)
DJ set of the week
Craig Richards at Get Lost
Party of the week
Dirtybird BBQ, no contest
F
Favourite memory of the week
Not being allowed to DJ at Mokai with James Zabiela and Deetron because I had shorts on!!! They would not let me in the club!!!
Eibhlin (Hed Kandi)
Tune of the week
Intruder-Amame (Murk feat. Jei)
DJ Set of the Week
Umek for Toolroom Knights at Cameo Club. He absolutely smashed it!!
Party of the week
Hed Kandi at Nikki Beach (I’m not being biased!!. The atmosphere was electric and the people were so amazing!!
Favourite Memory of the Week
Treasure Fingers dropping ‘Blowin Up’ at Nikki Beach. The crowd went absolutley mental!! I’ve been to so many events around the world but that gig at Nikki Beach had so many spine tingling moments – memories I will treasure forever!!!
Funkerman
Tune of the week
Tunes…?
DJ set of the week
DJ’s…?
Party of the week
Parties…?
Favourite memory of the week
No memories whatsoever
GND Records
Tune of the week
The Sneekers – Teddy (GND Records)
DJ set of the week
Shinichi Osawa in Tokyo last Weekend
Favourite memory of the week
Breakfast with my girlfriend
Gregori Klosman
Tune of the week
Nari & Milani ‘Atom’
DJ set of the week=
Dada Life @ Absolut Party
Party of the week
Dirty Dutch at Amnesia
Favourite memory of the week
When I dropped my new track NUMB3R5 with Chuckie at Amnesia
Guiseppe Ottaviani
Tune of the week
Paul van Dyk & Giuseppe Ottaviani – A Wonderful Day (from PvD’s Evolution album)
DJ set of the week
Paul van Dyk Live for the Evolution album launch event at Ice Palace
Party of the week
Global Connection at Dream Nightclub
Favourite memory of the week
The very cool and kinda unusual 2pm DJ set I played at the Armani Exchange Store
Hardwell
Tune of the week
Ayro & Rene Kuppens RAID [Revealed]
DJ set of the week
Dannic at Revealed Label Night @ SET
Party of the week
Ultra Music Festival.
Favourite memory of the week
“Partying with Tiesto in the booth at Liv
Hector Romero
Tune of the week
Miami Vice Feat. Amy Douglas ‘Little Haiti’ Murk Miami Heat Mix – Nervous Records
DJ set of the week
DJ Master Kev at the Sobe Live Party – he turned it – then
Party of the week
Don’t mean to toot my own horn but the Def Mix Party at Shelborne Poolside was pretty special. David Morales, Frankie Knuckles, Quentin Harris, Terry Hunter and myself really brought love to the masses that sunny day
Favourite memory of the week
Seeing young kids dancing to classic house tunes at the 3 Kings Party with Louie Vega, Tony Humphries and David Morales. Good to know the House Classics can make the new generation boogie.
Helena
Tune of week
Metropolis – Guetta & Nicky Romero
DJ set of the week
Steve Angello at Space
Party of the week
Size Records at Space
Best memory
Dancing for 12 hours straight as music was so good at Space till midday when the sun was overhead
Human Life
Tune of the week?
Fur Coat feat. Cari Golden – You & I
DJ set of the week?
MK – saw him multiple times it was amazing to see him DJing after all his amazing productions over the years
Party of the week?
The Pyramid Club @ Mamuska’s… I played as well as Tensnake, Fred Falke and many more
Favourite memory of the week?
Forgetting everything that happened and then remembering little bits throughout the next day
Jacob Van Hage
Tune of the week
SHM – Greyhound
DJ set of the week
Sander van Doorn ASOT
Party of the week
Ferry Corsten – WKND at Space
Favourite memory of the week
Doing a last minute set at the Sander van Doorn secret Showcase after Fire Beatz
Jamie Lewis
Tune of the week
I don’t wanna mention one of our tracks from the Purple Miami Sampler, so think there was more than one Track that I liked and heard by different DJs Audiowhores – Sometimes was one of the most played, with a great impact! Also different tracks by Liquideep such as Alone and Feel it and they also performed live – really good to see. Something different also Oliver $ – Doin Ya Thing. Even if a bit older but it was a party killer everywhere!
DJ set of the week
Too many classic and old sound DJ sets, that’s why I have not really a favourite DJ set to mention but Louie Vega always does his great performances with innovative breaks and mixings with acapellas grooves and create live new songs this is what I call DJ set.
Party of the week
There was Afternoon Deeelite always happy and lovely people and a mixed crowd from all over Europe and the rest of the world that gives a international vibe to the party. This time it was on a new spot at the Ocean 10 direct at the ocean drive with more space than the Plaza Garden on Collins – a good choice. And also to mention the first Traxsource rooftop party at the Red Steak House Really good idea from the Traxsource crew where all the label bosses and Important Djs enjoyed 5star food drinks music with very interesting discussions. Lets call it TMC Traxsource Music Convention
Favourite memory of the week
Every day was beautiful weather and also to be Invited to the WMC Panel for the first time to talk about SOUL IN MY HOUSE. It was very interesting to talk about the future of Soulful House – how it was and how it will go moving forwards
Jochen Miller
Tune of the week
“Jochen Miller-Zodiac, got to test my new baby out at the WMC, and it rocked!!
DJ set of the week
Sander van Doorn @ Ultra Music Festival.
Party of the week
Ultra Music Festival!
Favourite memory of the week
The entire week!! Sunshine, great crowds, amazing vibe all over Miami, us DJ’s visiting each other’s gigs to show support and enjoy one another’s music, it all came together last week! It was epic!
John Digweed
Tune of the week
Electric Rescue – Lilli
DJ set of the week
Jozif on the sunset cruise
Party of the week
The Vagabond on Saturday night – great crowd and vibe all night long
Favourite memory of the week?
Playing 5 gigs in 4 days and playing different sets at all of them
Jordy Dazz
Tune of the week
Jordy Dazz – OMG (Revealed, unreleased)
DJ set of the week
Hardwell @ Ultra
Party of the week
Ultra
Favourite memory of the week
Hardwell dropping my new track OMG at Ultra 🙂
Junior Sanchez
Tune of the week?
‘Atom’ by Nari & Milani
DJ set of the week
“Carl Craig at the Shelbourne Pool.”
Favourite memory of the week?
“What memory! lol…”
Koen
Tune of the week
Mark Knight ‘Alright’
DJ set of the week
Umek at Toolroom Knights
Party of the week
Juicy Beach
Favourite memory of the week
The goosebumps I’ve got after the punters’ feedback when I dropped my newest track ‘Gulfstream’
Liz Miller (Big Beat)
Tune of the week
Cedric Gervais ‘Molly’
DJ set of the week
Skrillex at Ultra
Party of the week
Last Resort at Villa 221
Favourite memory of the week?
A friend’s failed stage dive at the OWLSA party at The Raleigh
Mason
Tune of the week?
Eats Everything at Dirtybird BBQ in Villa 221.
Seeing Kraftwerk play live at Ultra Festival. Although some 18 year old silicon ravers were wondering where the bigroom beats were, all producers were standing in line with goose bumps
Mauritzio Gubellini
Tune of the week
Nari & Milani – Atom
DJ set of the week
Steve Angello 5 hours set @ Space
Party of the week
My gig at Juicy Party @ Nikki Beach with Stefano Pain and Nari & Milani
Favourite memory of the week
Hearing my tracks with Nari & Milani – UP & SLASH and with Delayers – BOOST played by many big DJ’s
Nicole Fasano & Steve Forest
Tune of the week
Atom by Nari & Milani
DJ set of the week
Avicii
Party of the week
Ultra Music Festival
Favourite memory of the week
The Avicii Ice Cream bus giving free ice cream in Miami
Nicole Palazzo (DMCWORLD Competition Winner)
Tune of WMC
Danism – Love The Way (Crazy P Remix)
Party of the week
Sasha, DJ Three, & Guy Gerber at Shine followed by after hours at Danny Tenaglia & Friends @ Ice Palace
DJ set of the week
Seth Troxler at Ice Palace
Best memory of WMC
Having a dance party with my best friend Steph, Claude Von Stroke and Justin Martin of Dirty Bird
No Artifical Colours
Tune of the week
Gavin Herlihy – Get Loose ( Original Mix ) rocked it every time
DJ set of the week
Seth Troxler & Guy Gerber B2B @ The Wall
Party of the week
OM Records @ Villa221 was cool to put see so many of our friends play, great sets by Wildkatz, Miguel Puente, Alexis Raphael & Maxxi Soundsystem
Favourite memory of the week
Goldie bringing his baby to Dirtybird BBQ
NO_ID
Tune of the week
Miike Snow – The Wave (Thomas Gold Remix)
DJ set of the week
Axwell played a killer set at Amnesia. From very groovy uplifting stuff to banging crowdpleasers. Very inspiring!
Party of the week
Axtone Surfcombor Poolparty 26-3-’12
Favourite memory of the week
Swedish House Mafia playing our remix for ‘Henrik B & Rudy – Leave A Light On’ at the Masquerade Motel! Goosebumps all over the place!!
Paul Oakenfold
Tune of the week
Calvin Harris ‘Feel So Good’
DJ set of the week
Cole at APA party
Party of the week
The Perfecto psrty at Arkadia – pure underground and cuttiung edge
Favourite memory of the week?
“The Soho House party with people jumping in the pool.”
Paul Thomas
Tune of the week
You couldn’t walk out of your hotel without hearing ‘Levels’, but for me it was M83 – Midnight City (Eric Prydz remix)
DJ set of the week
Sasha at Shine on Saturday night
Party of the week
Toolroom Knights at Cameo. Totally insane right from the beginning
Favourite memory of the week
My set at Ultra. It was my first time there so it was pretty special
Richard Dinsdale
Tune of the week
Richard Dinsdale, Henri Leo Thiesen & Robbie Senza “Shake WHat Your Mam Gave Ya”Tanzanite Records
DJ set of the week
I would have to say my set at Ultra Music Festival. It was amazing and really hope I get back there next year
Party of the week
Welcome To Miami at Nikki Beach. It was such a good atmosphere to start off the parties at WMC
Favourite memory of the week
Meeting loads of people you work with in one week and having such a laugh
Robbie Rivera and Roger Sanchez at Nikki Beach…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be6qJN9EKr0
Robert Tammens from Spinnin Records
Tune of the week
Sander van Doorn feat. Mayaeni – Inside [Doorn Records]
DJ set of the week
Really enjoyed Guy Gerber’s set at the Pete Tong pool party at the Surfcomber Hotel
Party of the week
Ultra Music Festival, what a crowd!
Favourite memory of the week
We had a great week with the Spinnin’ team – lots of meetings and some great parties!
Sander Kleinenberg
Tune of the week
Nervo – You’re Gonna Love Again (Pleasurekraft Remix)
DJ set of the week
Loved what Alex Dimou was doing at Shine on the Sunday. House, disco, breaks, very original bootlegs…it was all in there
Party of the week
That’ll be the THIS IS Miami closing, which is the annual closing event @ Shine by THIS IS Recordings
Favourite memory of the week
Playing Back2Back with Funkagenda for the very first time. We will definitely do this more often!
Sean Tyas
Tune of Week
John Dahlback – Escape
DJ Set of the Week
Really dug Tommy Trash at the national Pool Party
Party of the week
PvD Evolution Night at Ice Palace
Fave memory
The breakfasts at Jerry’s!
Sebastien Drums
Tune of the week?
“Sander van Doorn feat Mayaeni “Inside”
DJ set of the week?
“Nervo @ Juicy Party / Nikki Beach“
Party of the week?
“The STEALTH Pool Party at Arkadia. Unreal!”
Favourite memory of the week?
Playing football with my mates in the hotel hallway after returning from the STEALTH Pool Party. Craaaaaaaazyyyyy!!!
Shawnee Taylor
Tune of the week
There were so many!! ‘Feel So Close’ because I heard it everywhere I went!!!
DJ set of the week
Todd Terry at the XMIX Party
Party of the week?
Subliminal Session at Amnesia
Favourite memory of the week
Performing “COLORS” at the Ultra Music Festival! WOW!
Sidney Samson
Tune of the week
Sidney Samson – Get Low
DJ set of the week
My set with Lil Jon at Utra-Miami, was so much fun!
Party of the week
Kings of Ace at the National
Favourite memory of the week
The first goal I scored against Sweden in the djfootball games
Simone Vitullo
Tune of the week
PIRUPA “PARTY NON STOP”
DJ set of the week
Loco Dice B2B Marco Carola at Space
Party of the week
Luciano at The Shelbourne Pool Party on Friday
Favourite memory of the week
Andrea Oliva (new talent) played everywhere….
Stacey Pullen
Tune of the week
Stacey Pullen ‘Circus Act’ forthcoming on Blackflag Recordings
DJ set of the week
Stacey Pullen, Nic Fanciulli, Matthias Tanzmann 3way B2B2B
Party of the week?
Marco Carola Presents Music On
Favourite memory of the week?
Asking Konrad Black if i could borrow his Native Instruments Audio 8 interface because I was missing mine and he said that he was missing his as well, what a coincidence
Stafford Brothers
Tune of the week
Molly – people were talking about it….
DJ set of the week
Tommy Trash
Party of the week
Chuckie at Amnesia
Favourite memory of the week
Watching the sunrise and wondering where the week went
Stefano Pain
Tune of the week
Nari & Milani ‘Atom’
DJ set of the week
Axwell at Amnesia
Party of the week
The Juicy party with Robbie Rivera, Bob Sinclar, R3hab, Nervo, Tommy Trash, Bassjackers, Nari & Milani and me! An amazing night
Favourite memory of the week
When Calvin Harris played my new track ‘Go!’ at the Axtone party. Excellent reaction. Go!
Thomas Sempels
Tune of the week
Eric Prydz Call On Me (Sem Thomasson WMC Refix)
DJ set of the week
Fanciulli at the Pete Tong Pool Party
Party of the week
CR2 & Fly Eye Records party at Mansion
Favourite memory of the week
Calvin Harris opening at Masquerade Motel on Saturday
Tim Mason
Tune of the week
Third Party’s new one, only heard it once but f*** me!
DJ set of the week
Calvin Harris at Masquerade Motel. He REALLY smashed it
Party of the week
SHM after party at The Wall Lounge (SHM playing in a 300 cap club!)
Favourite memory of the week?
Seeing my boys South Central get up on stage with Steve Aoki as he introduced them as his new signing to Dim Mak
Tjerk Coers (Armada)
Tune of the week
W&W – Shotgun
DJ set of the week
Armin van Buuren Mainstage
Party of the week
Mainstage Closing Party
Favourite memory of the week
Chills chills and more chills on my arms from the great music and atmosphere
Todd Terry
Tune of the week
Duck Sauce “Calamari” UNRELEASED
DJ set of the week
Justice’s set, and Skrillex jumping in with 12th Planet at Ultra on the Saturday Party of the week? XMIX Party @ Shelborne Friday 3/23, Armand, J Paul Getto, Junior Sanchez, DJ Dan, Felix, Harry Cho Cho…and me Todd Terry.
Favourite memory of the week
The bus and boat with the crazies on the way to Ultra, A black man could not get a cab in Miami so I took Public transportation, 4 Real
Treasure Fingers
Tune of the week
Franky Rizardo ‘Real Love’
DJ set of the week
Jacques Lu Cont @ Fool’s Gold / Grand Central
Party of the week
Hard 2 Leave @ Gold Rush Sunday
Favorite Memory of the week
Finally getting to see Kraftwerk play
Zepherin Saint / Tribe
Tune of the week
‘Shana Out’ DJeff Remix
DJ set of the Week
Jose Marquez
Party Of the week
Tribe Gets Deep
Favourite memory of the week
Bohddi Satva in the dancers Circle at Tambor battling it out with Deborah Contan (one of Atlanta’s Champion dancers)
