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Another Decade-wide Experience

Sunday, March 30, 3:37PM

(Ultra Music Festival: Decade Edition: Day 2)

In my last review, of Ultra’s first day, I might have blown it up way out of proportion. I talked about how I’d dismissed last year’s first day as a mere, low-key “buildup” to the main event, Day 2, and this year’s Day 1 exceeded all my expectations and equaled several past single-day Ultra events.

I’ll say it again…boy, was I mistaken.

Don’t get me wrong, Day 1 was amazing and incredible. After witnessing the madness of Day 2, let me correct myself: Day 1 was still a build-up to a much larger main event.

Bedtime Warriors

Sunday, March 30 – 1 a.m.

Made a quick stop at B.E.D. on the way home to check out Stanton Warriors, the breakbeat tandem of Dominic Butler and Mark Yardley from the U.K. They are a DJ and producer team who take electronic music and apply it to all kinds of music. (They remixed Feel Good Inc., by the Gorillaz, among others.) But what they do best is make you want to dance to their mixes, providing infectious beats with a twist.

If you weren’t dancing at B.E.D., then you were in the wrong place. (And there were some last night who appeared a tad surprised that it wasn’t the normal hip-hop music – and they weren’t dancing.) Those who were dancing (and it didn’t look like your typical “ballers” Saturday night crowd) were treated to a great set. The dance floor (and the beds for that matter) was packed with people getting into the music.

Alas, it was time to head home, but the party was still going strong as we walked out an hour later.

- Fred Gonzalez

Report from Ultra

Saturday, March 29 – 11 p.m.

I opted for the final day of the Funkshion: Fashion Week Miami Beach shows, but had reports coming via text message from Ultra. By all accounts, Saturday may have been better than Friday night.

Here’s the best text:
“Paul van Dyk tore it up. We are soaking wet from all the dancing!”

Mission accomplished.

To read more about Saturday’s show, check out Michael Hamersly’s review.

Back to the Remix

Saturday, March 29 – 3 p.m.

The National continued to draw in the crowds for its Remix Hotel, with nearly 4,000 people attending in the first two days. Saturday the event reached capacity and the fire marshall had to halt entry for a good while. Luckily we got in soon enough and were able to hear Richie Hawtin perform – his set was not as impressive as the night before at Ultra in the Carl Cox tent, but hey, DJs probably get tired, too! The crowd, however, was not tired.

We met a guy from California who planned his trip in February for WMC. He had never stayed for the entire event, but registered in January when the price was half off, and decided to endure the marathon. “I started the week drinking mixed drinks, and now I am just down to Bud Light. Pretty sad, I know, but I am exhausted and running out of money.” Ah yes, it’s a marathon – not a sprint – and with drinks still at South Beach hotel prices ($14 for a rum punch, $10 for a Corona), the cash goes F-A-S-T!

Also visited some of the rooms that had been turned into demos for new technology. Very educational. Including the one room that had Guitar Hero on the Xbox available for a try. Nice touch.

Update: The highlight of the night was Bad Boy Bill’s set, according to a friend who was patient enough to wait for the fire marshall to finish his job.

Click here for video from the Remix Hotel.

Where’s your shirt?

Saturday, March 29 – 2:50 a.m.

Heading back to my car at the Setai, and as I cross the street near Espanola Way after failing to hail a cab, it’s none other than Mark Ronson. Yes, fresh off his set at the Setai, it seems he had lost his shirt, but was still wearing his blue suit jacket. He was also looking for a cab, but was with a crew of six. And let’s just say he was in no position (er, condition?) to conduct that elusive interview.

- Fred Gonzalez

Rockin’ the Mansion

Saturday, March 29 – 1:30 a.m.

The scene was Mansion. The talent was DJ AM and DJ Jazzy Jeff (yes, from Fresh Prince/Will Smith fame). That’s right – more of a celbri-DJ pairing, atypical for WMC. The place was packed (it seemed everyone from New York and New Jersey were visiting Mansion on this night – lots of northeast accents at the bars and in the bathrooms) and they were ready for their mash-ups of popular hip-hop and pop music.

The tandem delivered, taking turns through 2 or 3 songs and then passing the needle to the other for their next 2 or 3 mixes. Like a tennis match, they kept the crowd watching to see how each DJ would return the other’s serve and volleys. At one point DJ AM gave Jazzy Jeff a high five when Jeff came through with a surprise choice that AM didn’t expect. Watching them from backstage, they worked flawlessly and seemed to communicate telepathically through the beats.

Interestingly enough, DJ AM spun using white vinyl records, not the normal black color.

This Brit’s got pop

Friday, March 28 – 11:30 p.m.

At the Setai for a special set by Mark Ronson. Who is he? One of the top music producers (has won 3 Grammys) and DJs on the other side of the pond (England, for the non-hip), he helped Amy Winehoue become a household name, producing her hit Rehab.

We were supposed to interview him, but the ever elusive Ronson sneaked past the request and hit the booth, where he let the music do the talking. His set was simply fun and amazing – remixing current and classic hits (Coldplay, Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake) with beats that featured a horn section. His mixes were meaty, with depth in the music you heard – not just scratching and mixing. And he had the courtyard at the Setai hopping, with women dancing on the edge of the waterpools.

The vibe was great, but we had to leave. One more show to check out this night.

- Fred Gonzalez

Ultra Impressed

Friday, March 28 – 8 p.m.

First-time at Ultra (read Jay Rooney’s review below which is on-spot!) and I was impressed. Not by the DJs. Not by the people happily dancing. Not by the unique aromas evident all night. I was most impressed with how well-organized an event this is. (Perhaps it took 10 years to figure it out, but I doubt it.)

From the various stages, in which the sound didn’t blend in from other venues, to the number of food and beverage tents, to the ample viewing areas, to the various VIP venues, it was all impressive. And the DJs played when they were expected – no one was super late or a no show (as can be the case at various hyped Miami events). Pure clockwork.

If you have never been, it’s worth going and experiencing – aside from the great music and the various kinds of genres. There is plenty to see (including the pockets of festival goers rolling on some drug, evident by their fascination with lights being waved right in their faces), and plenty to listen to.

Stars are bright. Need shades.

Friday, March 28 – 3 p.m.

Headed over to the Shelborne Hotel to check out the Pacha Ibiza event, but it was super late in getting started, so we headed over to the A|X Music Lounge at the Raliegh Hotel. (For those wondering, A|X stands for Armani Exchange).

The penthouse was set up as a “recharge and relax” area for artists with a DJ booth, Belvedere vodka open bar, and an A|X sunglasses table for the artists who visited to snatch up a pair of shades. And were there artists – Tommy Lee and DJ Aero, Danny Tenaglia, DJ Skribble, Junior Sanchez, BT and Blake Lewis (yes, the one who had trouble getting in to some events), rising star Christian George (he was everywhere this week) and even the fashion designers Heatherette, who were in town for Funkshion: Fashion Week Miami Beach.