This is my review if the weeks events at WMC 2006!! ENJOY!
Winter Music Conference 2006 was defiantly a learning experience that is for sure. I think we all go to WMC with Different expatiations and all come out with different experiences. And it is those experiences that make WMC. Good or Bad. The one thing that is important for everyone to understand I think is that we made those choices. No one else was in control.
Wed March 22nd- Our Flight leaves right on time from LAX and we headed non stop to Ft. Lawerdale. Let me tell you having a non-stop flight is key. There are no layovers and no stressing that you wont make it on time to an event. Just get in the plane and go. We landed at the airport a little after 6am and then it was off to drop random people off in the shuttle and then to Philieeps hotel. Once there we all crashed and got some much needed sleep.
Lesson: If you are getting a Red Eye Flight make sure some one in the group or you can get an early early check into the room. It would have sucked if we had no place to put our stuff.
After the nap Kris and I thought it would be a good idea too check out our room at the Starlight Hotel. On our way there we randomly ran into Eddie Halliwell. So I say hello. LOL The rest of the crew stop after I told them who I said hello too and we all waved! LOL totally random. I have heard bad stories about the Starlight.. everything from icky bugs, small rooms, and people breaking in to steal stuff. Once we walked in to the room I saw nothing like that. Our room was a good size with a huge bed, and even a refrigerator! WOOT WOOT! ROOM BAR!!!
Around 4ish we head over to a restaurant that has happy hour and huge 46oz Drinks. We all partake in one of these Drinks. I look over at the table by us and see that they are about to leave a untouched Mohito(sp) that size. So I asked the waiter if he could place it in a to-go cup for me. Why not right.. They did not touch it and it was booze. Can not waste Booze. With a little convincing they put the drink in a cup for me and we where off. After a little walk down Collins it was back to the room to get ready for Armada night.
Armada Night a Review:
The LaTas and I get to Space super early. 9:30!! And they do not open until after 10. Oppsie. But after what I saw and heard last year I did not want to chance it. I would rather be there early then not get in at all.
MDK was the opening DJ I read the other reviews(insert link) and I thought he was a Great opener! The Club started getting more packed and no one was just standing there.
That night I met MelyMel for the first time and saw some other FLTAs even DA. That was a complete surprise. I also met Alison, and Mike() WHOOOO HOOOOO!!!
The Vibe in Space was so amazing.
After MDK Markus takes over the decks, and takes over Space. For the longest time I have always wanted to see Markus at Space since was a resident there. OMG the set he threw down was sooooo AMAZING!! I can not even to start to ID any of the Tracks he played. Track after Track just took my Breath away. Then he Droped his remix of Air For Life and I lost it. To hear such a beautiful Track like that at Space will hold a special place in my heart. After Air For Life, Heather came down from the DJ booth to say hello to everyone. Markus played the most amazing 2 hr set and then Armin took over.
Wow. I was really disappointed in this set. The first 3 track put me in snoozevill and I was begging for Markus to come back on. I just could not handle it anymore so I started to go mingle. I went to the side of the DJ booth and ran in to Markus and Crew. Grabbed a picture and said hello to Josh and Dave. After that it was off to check the Terrace. I do not know who what on but he was throwing down some nice tuneage. Then it was back to down stairs to see Armin.
He was getting a little bit better but still a disappointment. So after a few tracks I went back up to the Terrace to find Mauro throwing it down. WOW! The first time I saw him was at the Independance day festival and thought he did all right. But he was killing it that night. At least he had people dancing. I was up there for a good long time with Kris and Mike Dancing My ass off. So Much Fun. Soon it was back down stairs with Mike and he let me into the Dj Booth.
During one Track I wanted Armin to pull the space horn. He looked at me and singled me to go over and pull it. So I did! WHOOOO HOOOOO!! That was such an Awesome Experience! After Armin it was Remy. He threw down a really good set too and it was Great seeing the hard core people staying for it. After Remys set it was time to gather up the crew and head back to the hotel for some sleep.
Thursday March 23rd
We are in Miami where the sun should be shining and the temps. To be warm. Instead all we got was cold, and cloudy. On the way to the wetgrooves pool party it stated to rain. This was not your average rain.. it was pouring down buckets. At least it was warm.
At the Wetgooves party Richard Vision was throwing down some really awesome perfect for a pool party beats. After Richard it was Dj Dan, then Glaude. Despite the down pour people where still dancing and not caring. A little rain doesnt stop us! The Po-Po came and made the promoters turn down the music. WTF. This is WMC every major hotel is having a party right now so noise should not be an issue. After Donald it was time for Eddie Halliwell. Even though the sound was not there he tore it up like he always does and was still getting people into it. After Eddie it was D:fuse live. That was really amazing. I love seeing Live acts like that. By this time the outside area was packed and the rain went away. I think on of the coolest things about this party was that the DJs who spun stuck around to talk to fans and mingle. I think the LATAs and I got a picture with all most everyone we saw!
Kris and I left the pool party a little after 8 to head back to the hotel get a shower and get ready for Ferry at Crobar.
Ferry @ Crobar: A Review.
Walking into Crobar was cake with a hard ticket. Once inside we all grabbed a drink and headed out the dance floor. I really liked the Layout and sound of Crobar. The high ceilings and balcony looking over the main dance floor. There was a theater type feeling with out it going too overboard. My one Rant about the crobar is the avalon type crowd there. I felt a few guys trying to touch my butt, and had to get Robert to become a booty-gard since one guy would not STOP! GRRR GRRR GRR!
The opening Dj was Surge Devant. I have never seen this guy before and only knew of him b/c of his myspace page. He threw down a really good opening set. Junkie XL was next. I really liked the energy this guy has when he does what he does. He gets so into it. His set was ok on the other hand. Nothing too exciting. He did play his remix of coldplays talk IMO the slowest more boring of the remixes out there. During Junkies set. Kris and I go up behind the DJ booth to get out spot before Ferry comes on. We see Ferry at the top and decided to go say hello. After that it was back behind the DJ booth or on the dance floor.
Ferry gets on the decks and throws down a pretty good set! Nothing too amazing.. but good. (since I got to a late start on the review I forgot what tracks he played.. opppsie)
During Ferrys set I could not handle the stare downs, penis dance or guys touching my butt so I left the dance floor and hung out by the Armada crew. I figured I would be safe there. While I was hanging out and dancing this huge girl stopped by and started dancing with me all Freaky like. When I say huge I really mean huge! Lol. Then all of a sudden she takes lifts her shirt takes he Tig o Bitties and rubs them right against me! OMG! Only in Miami. I was seriously freaked out!
Before Ferry set ended I left the Armada crew to hang out behind the Dj booth again. After Ferrys set. He was kind enough to stay for a little while to take pictures and sign autographs, but had to go. He had a flight at 7:30! And it was not after 5!
Over all I had a pretty good night expect for the crowd issues.
Friday March 24th
Friday was the go-go-go day of the trip. The day started out with breakfast and then a walk to the Catalina hotel for the Spundae Pool party. I was really stressin since it was past 2 and I was late to the party I was helping to host. I met Mike and DA there and we just walked right in. I came to find out that I was not the only one runnin late. The whole party started late. With the the DJ times got switched around. The party got off to a slow start but then soon picked up. All of my friends came and I saw more people from La I have not seen in awile. It was pretty cool. After a few drinks it was time to put my feet in the pool and chill. Hehe. D:fuse played a DJ set that day. Due to other gigs and politics he was known as the drum playin texin! LOL
3 hours into the Spundae party, Mike, Philieep and I get a cab and head over to the red bull Mansion for the Leama and Moore Launch party. From the Myspace Bulletin it was only a 10 min cab ride away. Well 10 turned into 40min and all most a $50 ride. The Mansion was in the middle of no where!
The house was beautiful. And over looked the harbor with fatty paddies across the way. That party too started a little later then normal but there was Free Booze. WOOT WOOT. This party was actually pretty chill and I made a lot of good contacts there. I met with Andy and Lema and had a nice chat with them. At that party I was introduced as the Trance queen of LA. LOL LOL so random.
I mingle a lot and got to sick my sore feet in the spa. Ahhh. Then the time came where we listened to the actual album. OMG!!! ..o/ For those of you expecting it to be a club album please do not get disappointed. It is anything but that. This album is so chill, ambient and melodic. It is soooooo pretty! It was hard to leave the party since I was sucked in to the beauty of the tracks.
DA came by to pick us up and it was off to Drop Mike off where he was stayin ( so close to having a dream come true and meeting star
) and then off to pick up Carrie at her hotel, then off to ours to get ready too see PVD at Space!I have never gotten ready so fast in my life. I even put makeup in my bag to finish getting ready in the car. But I did not even need it! LOL. DA Gathered every one up and we where off! I first check in to Nocturnal to get my ticket then head over to Space.
I was so shocked not too see a massive line and since I had my hard ticket I was able to walk right in. No Stress! The place was rammed with people. It was hard to move around at all. I only got 2 tracks of Oscar G then PVD takes over.
I find my spot and the dance floor and I think I picked the wrong spot on the dance floor. Every time I looked around I saw security jump on someone else and start yelling at them for taking pictures and or wearing sunglasses. Then I look and some one is getting throw out. I have never seen staff act that way. They where serious ass holes! All most a buzz kill. So I move from that spot and find a spot closer to the front. I met some new people and was happy to see that people made signs for PVD. Hehe.
About 2 hours into PVDs set.. around 4:30ish I decided it is time to go over to Nocturnal to see Above and Beyond.
Nocturnal: A Review.
I walk into Nocturnal and was impressed by the sound and layout of the club. The Dj booth sits on top with the main dance floor looking down. I go check out the smaller breaks room the Terrace. WOW! The Terrace is amazing. With a huge open dance floor and the DJ booth close to you. The Sound up there was also amazing.
I go back down to the second floor with Julie and meet up with Robert. I get my spot to the right of the DJ booth and plant myself there. BT was on the decks, and played force of gravity as his last track. Then Eddie takes over the decks and tears it up again. I am always blow away but what this guy can do behind the decks. I also loved the tracks he played. So full of energy!! After Eddie Above and Beyond comes on and WOW! Their set was so so amazing and so Pretty. I love that sound. During their set I got go in the booth and watch them do their magic. But I was so into the music. The last track Cant sleep was so amazing! WOW. Such a beautiful melody with vocals. It touched my heart in more ways then one.
After there set I went to go talk to them and let them know that I was really lookin forward to their set in May. I also gabbed a picture.
I am not a fan of Irean so I went up to the Terrace where the sun was all ready shining and Hawtin took over the decks. The Terrace is where the serious hardcore people end up mingled with the serious crackheads too. Hawtin takes over the decks and lays down this amazing set. With sounds I have not heard before. A girl hands him a absolute bottle and he takes it and drinks it like water. The vibe is so party yet so chill. We where all up there for one reason and one reason only. To continue our night/ day.
Saturday March 25th
Saturday was random day of the Trip for me. I did not want to go to ultra even though I had free VIP tickets to get in. I was set on not dealing with 40,000 crack heads but instead enjoying the sights of South Beach.
Kris and I head to the beach where I stick my feet in the water. It was too cold to actually go swimming and I was already starting the coughing fits. We Chill there for a bit and hear music from a hotel area and go check that out. At this time my camera jams and stops working. I tried to fix it with no luck. I did not drop it or put in the sand. I only used it 4 times and it broke. I was so Mad!
On the way we randomly run into Above and Beyond, meet a member of infusion. LOL We go into the hotel to find out more info of the party, but we where told to go to one area then told to go to a new one. It was all too complicated so we left and started walking the streets.
We stop by this corner bar where they are playing some nice house music and get some breakfast
Inside people are just so taken by the beats they just dance. They did not care who was watching it was all about the music. We hung out there for a little bit and walked to Lincon and check out the over there. I pick up some cool eye glasses and we had to ditch an annoying Russin guy. He was flowing us around like a lost puppy dog. Once he was gone it was back to our room to get Robert and go eat.We walk to Pizza Rusticas on the corner of 9th and Washington. Mike meets us up and it is off to start walking to the Ultra Angle lounge. We keep walking down Collins looking for the place but can not seem to find it. Mike gets a phone call from his Friends saying where they are at so we walk back down Collins to meet-up with them just to walk back up again.
By this time I was soooo sick of Collins and walking. But none the less it was still fun. We all gather at a hotel room to figure out the rest of the night. I had no plans or events that night. It was just up in the air for random. The room we are hanging out in gets too hot and smoky so Mike and I go hang out in the lobby. Across from us I see a guy that looks just like JOOF. I keep looking and ask Mike if that was really him. So I bite the bullet and head over there like a dork to see if it was him and well it was. So I chat with him for a bit and head back over to the place I was sitting.
After everyone came back down to the lobby it was deciding time on what to do. The event they where going to was going to start at 4am. I was really not in the mood to Start at that time. By now I am Beyond Beat. So Mike calls a friend to pick him up Robert and I get a ride back to the hotel. By 3am I was crashed and was out like a light. Des wanted me to go out but I was done. I live for Saturdays! And here I am sleeping! I needed it though as a recharge I still had 3 more days to go.
Sunday March 26th
On Sunday afternoon, Robert , Kris and I went to the Fairwinds caf to enjoy some good music, free drinks and some food. The Music playing was perfect for a Sunday afternoon. After a little drama it was off to G&D at the Cafeteria for their album listening party. Kris and I went to go change and the other LATAs took a nice cab ride around South Beach. First they stopped at Cafeteria but told by the hostess that the party was not there.. then they went back to the Catalina just to head back to the Cafeteria again! LOL. Oppsie. I am glad Kris and I made one stop!
We walk to the Cafeteria get some food and head to the back where G&D where hanging out and their album in the background. I did not know that Cafeteria was so small. (Can some one tell me if they opened up the dining room area and had the Dj play on the second floor?)
We where only there for a short time since it was getting later in the day and we all had people to do and places to be. After a little confusion and a little more Drama it was back to the hotel for a power nap and get ready for Tiesto At Mansion.
Tiesto @ Mansion: A review.
I get to Mansion a little after 9:30 since I had 2 extra tickets to sale. The Will call line had its own line but the people that had their tickets in hand where placed on the same side as the people needing tickets. I did not get that concept at all but it made selling those tickets easier! I also ran into some FLTAs that where nice enough to let me wait in line with them so I did not have to wait in line allllll the way in the back.
Doors open a little after 10pm and that is when the line separated. I have never walked into a club so fast! No ID checks, no searching. Mansion is a beautiful club. Probably the nicest club in South beach with the nicest sound. More people started coming in and the dance floor got packed. In Front of the Dj Stage there was a huge In Search of Sunrise 5 Curtin and at 10:20ish Tiesto gets behind it and starts his set. At first I was starting to wonder if that was really Tiesto behind the Curtin. But one the silhouette and the lights came on it was indeed Tiesto. The lighting behind him and in front of him made appear as though he was playing with the sunrise.
Wow wow wow. I was so amazed by what I heard. I felt like Tiesto barrowed CDs right from Markus and played them. Not that I am complaining I do love that sound.
At Midnight the Curtin goes up and I was blown away by the stage set up and Tiestos smile. Once the Curtin goes up The packed dance floor goes Crazy. And so do I. I get the little red heart from my purse and hold it up high above my head. For the past year Tiesto never got a red heart because he did not disserve one or he would not care. He looked at me and pointed right at me. Then I became a dork.
Julie came a little after 11 and met me in the middle of the dance floor. I also met some people from SF that saw me at Ferry and also met Leon Trance boy. ( he knew me by that heat)
Wow.. OMG! I have never seen Tiesto or heard Tiesto play the way he did on Sunday. Every Track was so beautiful. Then he had to drop Air for Life! OMG! There was more to the show then the amazing music. Dancers came out in these beautiful or strange costumes. Behind me girls would climb on the white Curtin rope thing and perform there. It was really cool J Jes also came out to sing 2 tracks. I was not fond of the second track at all. Blah.
But I would just focus on Tiesto. He was so into it. And his mixing was not that bad at all. No obvious trainrecks. This was the Tiesto I fell in Love with and followed around 4 years ago. I was blown away. I could not stop dancing, jumping up and down and holding my heart up! I was having soooo much FUN!!
Track after track he did not stop. It was the sound I love. I only my spot once to use the bathroom but even then it was hard.
During his set I saw people hold up CDs for him to sign and he did. So I got the idea to find my way up there and get him to sign my heart. He saw me and I reached as high as I could he grabbed it and signed it. WHOOOO HOOOOOO!! Then I went back to my spot so I could dance. The front was a little to crazy for me. Despite the craziness the vibe at Mansion was so amazing. Everyone was there for Tiesto and to have a good time. No rude FOBs no rude guys just ear to ear smiles and dancing feet. Anyway Back in my spot and my heart back in my purse it was back to being a dork. But I did not care. Tiesto was having the time of his life why couldnt I right. After the red heart was in my purse it was time for the hand heart I make. Again Tiesto looked at me and smiled. I was the happiest girl on the planet.
Towards the end of his set Tiesto started signing Tee shirts and throwing them out to the crowd. Julie and I got pushed a few times but it did not knock us to the ground. He was hard for the shirts to reach the middle. Then he takes off his headphones and signs them. I get excited as I always do when this part comes up. He folds them in wraps the cord and smiles. The crowed goes nuts trying to get his attention to throw them. I am still in the middle being a with my hand heart. He folds his headphones wraps the cord and tosses them right in the middle in my direction. A ton of people 3 row people in front of me jump ups and tries to garb them. Stumbling back to get them. Julie and I all most get pushed down. Some Tall Dude caught them and was the luckiest happiest person I ever seen.
One last closing track- Traffic and the show was over. The hard core fans wanted more and he was about to play one more but could not. I saw Jes hanging out on the stage so I get her to sign my heart as well.
Tiesto played one of the best sets I ever heard form him. It all most toped his June 4th 2004 set at Avalon! No Joke.
After the show Julie, Phillipe and I met Carrie, Robert and Leon(trance boy out side) we where all looking for something to do and Robert told us that James Holden was playing at Nocturnal after hours. Julie hops in her car with Robert and the rest of us take Leons car over to downtown.
The $40 ticket price was a little too high for Philieep and Leon so they took off and we went into the Nocturnal Terrace. The place was pretty dead and Holden was not going to spin at all. Apparently on a piece of paper it said James Holden from 10-5am but he was not going to spin. He was there though. That was kind of a buzz kill.. but at least I was with my friends. You live and you learn.
After about an hour and a half I hit my wall and wanted to get some sleep before Sasha and digweed. So I got a cab and went back to the hotel.
Monday March 27th
I spent over half the day in bed. LOL I got a call from my Friend Ken and he wanted to Meet up for Lunch. Aj, Robert and I head down to the beach to soak up some sun and Ken walked down there to meet us.
Our First stop would take them an over an hour to bring out our food so we left and walked down to Lincoln Ave and ate there. During our lunch Aj got hit on by some random guy that looked like he wanted to film porn and Both Aj and Robert got in to a cock argument at what kind of sound system there was a Space. They sounded like a bunch of 5 year old boys back and forth But it was soooo Funny.
After Lunch I got all the leftovers to go and gave them to a homeless lady on the street. I hate wasting food like that. Aj went back to his Hotel and Robert and I went to check to see what Kris was up too at the event she went too.
Then it was time to go back to the hotel and try to get some sleep before getting ready. 3 hrs into my nap I got up and got ready to go. We walked up to meet Julie and she took us down to Space.
Sasha and Digweed @ Space a review: Again with the hard ticket we had no issues getting into Space but the music was so slow and zzzzzzz.. I do not know who the first DJ was.. but he was so boring! The Tracks where going no where and where so predicable. Then the second Dj gets on and again zzzzz.
So I head upstairs to see what was going on up there and I was not feeling that either. I felt as tough I was in hell with no where to go. I go back downstairs and Digweed takes over. I have seen Digweed at his best.. but This was digweed at his WORST! Again the music was going no where. By the looks on the dance floor I was not the only one thinking that. No one was moving there feet just bobbing their heads or upper body. So I go up stairs again and Steve Porter was on and throwing down some wicked beats. At least beats you can dance too! I was upstairs for a good long time then went back down to see Sasha took over. Again I was completely board by his set and what he was playing. I just do not get what the hype about him is all about. Yes he is an amazing producer and Involver was in heave rotation in my car but at Space he looked like he was coked out playing pac-man on his computer. So upstairs I went and spent the rest of my night.
James Zab-boo-be- la la gets on the decks and does his thing. And much like the MNS set I was not feeling it. I start to walk around and mingle. Get some Drinks and sit. I was soooo board.
I could not handle it. As I was about to leave it was the who-who of the Dj world. I stop to talk to Remy, and Max Grapham and see who else is in VIP. It was 7am when I left space and went to get some much needed sleep.
Tuesday march 27th
It was the last day of the musical journey of the conference. What better way to spend it then Niki Beach. Kris and I walk down there kinda early so we walk to a caf to get water and walk back. Great no food or water in the place but they sold it inside.
I really liked Niki beach. Just not the price of the food (the bbq hamburgers where 10 bucks! OUCHIE) The weather again sucked and the main headliners would not go on until later. After Mingling and a few drinks I grabbed a beach chair and try to get some rays but it was not working. I ended up taking a little nap and decided it was time to go back to the hotel to get ready for BED.
Markus Schulz and BED:
I put on a cute little outfit and go-go boots and walk over to meet Des at BED around 10pm. The club was not even open yet so we decided to grab a drink at the bar. We walked down Washington and found nothing. It was getting more shady and the cat calls where getting worse so we head back over. We see a little hidden bar called the Twist and walk on in. But there was something strange about the place. There where NO WOMEN! Only Men! I got a very bad unsafe feeling and we walked out. Only too see more men walk in. Des and I just walked in to a shady Gay bar! LOL LOL LOL. So we went back to bed and convinced the security people to let us in early so we could get a drink. At the bar some Random dude from TX was trying so hard to make a move. But I was not having any of it. After some the I am not interested at all answers. Des and I grab a seat and watch the worst Shadow box dancers in the world do an dance. They where so stiff and dull.
At 10:30 MDK walks in and lays down another great opening set. But hardly any one was there. Most of the people have left all ready only the hard core people survived came out. I got word that it was dead pretty much every where else. After MDK it was time for Remy. Markus also shows up. I go and say hi and then go sit by him for a little chat and to get some pictures as well. I also mingled and met some more FLTAs and Markus biggest east cost fan!
At 1am he gets on the decks and throws down an amazing set. All tough I was pretty wiped by then I start dancing away. For the longest time I have always wanted to hear a 3rh + set from Markus. Well at Bed I got 4! WHOOO HOOOO!! Track after Track was so beautiful and his mixing was flawless. I even heard air for life again. I could have died and went to heaven.
Even though at 3am I hit my wall and hit my wall hard I kept on going I had to. I wanted to. For his encore Track he left the booth and went to talk to every body. Taking pictures staying and saying bye to those who where leaving.
Then he comes up with this Great idea. He Grabs the hottest girls in the club and get Tigerclaw and gets them to take a picture with him! It was so HILERIOUS! Every one with Cameras got them out to get a photo. Tigerclaw the pimp of the night! LOL LOL
After a good laugh It was time to walk out side to say my final good bye and head back to my hotel where I crashed. Once my head hit the pillow I was done
Wednesday March 27th
A whole week in south beach and the official last day of the conference. The Sun actually finally decides to shine. The last day I was there was the nicest day. Robert and I get a bit too eat and Jonny rockets and the service was the best service we received all week! The food came out super fast and the waitress was nice and speedy too. On the streets it was just the locals and their families enjoying their lunch. No loud rap music or getto cars cruised the streets. It was quiet.
After breakfast it was time too double check the room for any missing suff and time for us to get ready to take off back home.
Robert leaves earlier then I do so I take my stuff to AJs hotel and take a walk to the beach. I sit on the sand and walk in the water to soak up all the experiences I had and all the lessons I learned. I take a deep sigh hold the tears back and go back to AJs room. He wants to go shopping so we walk down Collins and the street is quiet. We run into the Armada people eating Breakfast and they are going to take off soon as well. After he shops it is back to the hotel to get on the shuttle bus to the airport.
In the shuttle There is a girl from SD that recognizes me and we start chatting. We also chat to a girl from Chicago. We share our experiences and our best events that we went too before we get off at the right terminal.
I am at the airport a lone so I grab some cheepie smut(hollywood gossip) magazines change into pants and grab a sit by the gate. I actually fall asleep and wake up right before my flight is to board. There are other WMC people on the plane with me. My section is called so I get on board. The flight is not full so I grab the exit row seat so I can get off the jet faster. I sleep mostly on trip.. but the trip seems so much longer on the way back. I get up to use the bathroom and see that Kristina Sky and Drew are also on the same flight.
We land back in La and the WMC blues start to kick in. I all ready missed south beach and wanted to go back.
A big big big Thank you goes out to EVERYONE that made this trip possible and make the Trip so amazing.
. 
