Aside from all the drinking and dancing, there are some really special moments that occur during Winter Music Conference. A stellar set delivered by an unknown DJ, the décor of a nightclub, or even a special event with some unannounced guests. Here at Clubplanet, we truly pride ourselves in remembering each and every one of these, but we’re only gonna let you in on our top ten Winter Music Conference moments of 2009.
#10 Best WMC Moment of 2009
Moment: Going to bed on Sunday night.
Venue: Home
WMC Day: 6
I know this isn’t the best of moments, so we’ll go ahead and start things off with this one. If you’ve ever been to Winter Music Conference, it’s tough saying goodbye to all of the constant drinking, dancing, and ….well, indulging, but all good things must come to an end. On Sunday night, it feels pretty strange to actually get more than four hours of sleep, but I’ll be damned if it isn’t one of the best feelings in the world.
#9 Best WMC Moment of 2009
Moment: Sharam Gets Wild At Cameo
Venue: Cameo Nightclub
WMC Day: 2
What better than a Wild West themed party at a nightclub? We can all thank Alize for presenting us with this special treat during Winter Music Conference. For Sharam’s Get Wild party, Cameo was transformed into the sort of setting that would put Billy the Kid at ease. Haystacks, bartenders decked out in cowboy gear and even midgets, exactly why it’s one of the most memorable moments of WMC 2009! Sharam held the crowd’s attention through the entirety of the night, delivering some of his infectious signature house. It’s pretty safe to say that Cameo’s never had anything like this, but it’ll be interesting to see what they have in store now that they’ve experienced with the theme a bit.
#8 Best WMC Moment of 2009
Moment: Roger Sanchez Drives Mansion Wild
Venue: Mansion
WMC Day: 2
Simply put, Roger Sanchez is a legend when it comes to electronic dance music. The guy’s been to Winter Music Conference since it first started up as a way for producers and other music execs to come together and network, way before it turned into the cluster-f@#k of partying that it is now. On the second day of conference, Sanchez delivered sheer and total party chaos to one of South Beach’s best nightclubs, Mansion, making it one of the best moments of WMC 2009. Clubplanet was on hand and back-stage where the ladies weren’t in short supply, and the party seemed to rage even more than it was on the dance floor.
#7 Best WMC Moment of 2009
Moment: Audiofly Gets Physical
Venue: Studio K
WMC Day: 5
We went into the Get Physical party at Studio K already knowing that we were in for some of the best music that Winter Music Conference had to offer, considering the fact that we were lucky enough to attend the last two parties they’ve had during conference. Audiofly kicked things off for the night, and what better act than they! They really really impressed us and are now on our musical radar list, as well as on our list as one of the best moments of WMC 2009. I can’t even begin to describe the connection that they had with the crowd; musical magnetism? I think we’ve discovered a new term here ladies and gentlemen.
#6 Best WMC Moment of 2009
Moment: Paul van Dyk Does the Interviewing
Venue: The Raleigh Penthouse
WMC Day: 3
Paul van Dyk is one of the biggest DJs on the planet. It’s a household name in Europe, and judging by his response in the States, it’s beginning to get to that point here. So naturally, the guy is constantly hounded by press for interviews. On the third day of Winter Music Conference 2009, he decided to get on the other side of the mic and do the interviewing himself for his Vonyc Session’s. Held at the penthouse at the Raleigh Hotel, the free drinks were flowing after Paul did his interviewing, and other superstar DJs were in the house, like Deadmau5, James Zabiela and Bob Sinclar. Something special was definitely in the air this day, which is why it ranks in our list for best WMC moments of 2009.
#5 Best WMC Moment of 2009
Moment: Carl Cox Delivers Yet Again at Ultra
Venue: Bicentennial Park
WMC Day: 4
It’s a tradition for everyone who comes down to Miami for Winter Music Conference, that the Ultra Music Festival is always held on that weekend. Fans line up the sidewalk at Bicentennial Park to scalp tickets, down some beers prior to entering, or find someone that’ll have that happy little pill that’ll keep them dancing all night. One man that keeps the crowd dancing year after year and didn’t even come close to being mediocre this year was Carl Cox, who delivered one of the most memorable moments of WMC 2009. His tent, Carl Cox and Friends, was a circus by the time he jumped in there. Resembling more of an overflowing glass of water, the tent had some of the best lighting we’ve seen. Carl Cox’s set was flawless and packed with as much energy as a 4-year-old with ADD.
#4 Best WMC Moment of 2009
Moment: Miami’s Talent Takes over Space
Venue: Space
WMC Day: 6
Originally scheduled to be at Cameo, the Made in Miami closing Winter Music Conference party was moved into Space, lucky for us all considering the sound and vibe is better at this venue. Featuring some of the best homegrown talent in the city, Made in Miami was kicked off by Lazaro Casanova, a DJ that’s currently making a lot of noise in Miami as well as on a national scale. DJs Stryke and Behrouz followed up, and the night was then capped off by true EDM legends, Oscar G and Ralph Falcon. This event proved that the talent in Miami is just as good if not better than the others that came into town for Winter Music Conference. For ourselves, as well as many locals, this was a memorable moment during Winter Music Conference 2009.
#3 Best WMC Moment of 2009
Moment: Steve Lawler’s Lights Out
Venue: Nocturnal
WMC Day: 5
Now I know that earlier we spoke about Danny Howell’s and how he knows how to manipulate a crowd. Well, if there’s someone who he could of taken a note or two from it’s surely Steve Lawler. For his signature ‘Lights Out’ party, Lawler was behind the decks all night long, that is until his party as well as the entire club, was shut down due to overcapacity. If there’s one set that had to be cut short that’s made our list for best WMC moments, it’s definitely Steve Lawler’s ‘Lights Out.’
#2 Best WMC Moment of 2009
Moment: Danny Howell’s Wakes Up BED
Venue: BED
WMC Day: 2
If you’ve never heard of Danny Howell’s, quickly go to Beatport now and check him out. This guy is a magician behind the decks. On the second day of WMC, Howell’s had his signature Dig Deeper party, non-stop Danny Howell’s for seven hours. Most of you are thinking, ‘Seven hours of the same DJ? Camaan!’ Well, this guy executed one of the best sets that Clubplanet’s ever witnessed. From beginning to end, we were there for the entire musical journey and absolutely one of the best WMC moments in 2009. From the bass dropping in and out, bleeps, squeaks and other sounds, Danny Howell’s is a surgeon when it comes to keeping the crowd moving.
#1 Best WMC Moment of 2009
Moment: M.A.N.D.Y. Delivers One of the Best Sets of WMC
Venue: Studio K
WMC Day: 5
By far, one of the best moments during Winter Music Conference was when German DJ/Producer duo M.A.N.D.Y. took the stage at Studio K during the Get Physical party. Delivering one of the best sets this year, each and every track was mixed in with perfection and the bass was pulled right out from under your feet, just to have them slap you in the face with it, driving the entire crowd into a dancing frenzy. From beginning to end, everyone was moving, and these guys knew exactly what to do to keep it going.
