Hundreds of thousands of EDM enthusiasts of all ages, sizes, and genres have descended upon the city of Miami for the annual dance music extravaganza known as ‘Miami Music Week’. As veterans of Miami Music Week ourselves, Independent Philly will once again be heading down to South Beach to cover seven days of around the clock parties and events.
While Ultra Music Festival is usually the first thing people think about when they hear about Miami Music Week, anyone who knows a thing or two knows that the real fun lies in the pool, beach, boat, and roof top parties that take place in the days leading up to Ultra Music Festival. Unless being surrounded by a sea of ‘Bros’ is your thing…then by all means, save your energy for Ultra.
We’ve gone ahead and put together a list of tips for how to make the most of your time in Miami, as well as the parties you definitely shouldn’t miss. For those heading down to Miami, from the Miami Music Week virgins, to the Miami Music Week diehards, we think you’ll benefit from our suggestions. If you think we missed something a good tip or event, please let us know!
Tips:
1. Dress to impress.
You’re in Miami…. remember that. “Sun’s out, guns out” may be proper attire for Ultra, or even some pool parties, but don’t expect to get into the fancy mega-clubs that line South Beach dressed like that. Bring a button down, a pair of nice shoes, and even dress pants! If you really love that candy rave mask you spent so much time making, maybe you should marry it. However, leave it at home before hitting any club, because we doubt they will let you bring it in.
2. Stay Hydrated
Once again, you’re in Miami. It’s hot out, the sun is shinning, and you are sweating. You’re becoming dehydrated by the minute. It’s best to to drink plenty of water and sports drinks on the regular. Alcohol also exacerbates dehydration so while you’re knocking back those beers and cocktails, make sure you balance it out with some coconut water. While moving from one venue to another, pop into a market and grab a big bottle of something hydrating. You’ll save yourself some serious money. You can thank us later.
3. Sunscreen, Sunscreen, and more Sunscreen.
The only thing hotter than the beautiful people in South Beach is the sun. You want to know the absolute WORST way to ruin your Miami Music Week Trip? Heading out to the pool party on Day 1 without sunscreen, only to wake up on Day 2 in pain, looking like a lobster. Now you have all of Miami Music Week left, and instead of enjoying yourself, you are asking your friends to apply aloe to your entire body. We hate sounding like your mother, but trust us, a little sunscreen (make sure it’s at LEAST SPF 15) will prevent a lot of pain.
4. Be responsible and look out for your friends!
This isn’t really a Miami specific tip, but if you are heading down to Miami this week, chances are more than a few miles from home. When you go out with your friends, have a plan. Going to Ultra? So are 100,000 other people. Make a meeting point, count on your cell-phone NOT working, your text messages NOT going through, and your phone’s battery dying almost immediately (“OMG I swear I was just at 90%, how am I at 7% already?”). Maybe you should toss one of those external battery backs in your pocket…if you have pockets… ladies in skimpy bikinis, we’re looking at you (seriously, we’re looking at you). Come on people, you are in Miami, and you will probably be drinking… a lot… and spending countless hours in the sun. It’s important to look out for each other. Don’t let your buddies water off alone, especially if they are intoxicated. What happens in Vegas might stay there but what happens in Miami can last a lifetime. This is the era of cell phone cameras and if you act the fool, chances are you’ll be showing up on Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, or any other number of social media apps. Be safe, wrap it up, everything is best in moderation, and if you have to ask what it is, DON’T TAKE IT.
Parties:
Monday, March 23rd:
Bro Safari: Animal House
Ticket Link: http://www.epoplife.com/event/801753
Venue: Grand Central
Tuesday, March 24th:
For the bass music enthusiasts…
The Official Circus Miami Party 2015
Ticket Link: http://embrace.wantickets.com/Events/175929/The-Official-Circus-Miami-Party/
Venue: Grand Central
For those trying to get fancy…
Super You&Me
Ticket Link: http://wl.flavorus.com/event/Laidback-Luke-Super-You-and-Me-STORY/285074?afflky=STORY
Venue: Story Miami
Wednesday, March 25th:
Spinnin’ Sessions – Secret guests? We like secret guests…
Ticket Link: http://diskolab.wantickets.com/Events/ShowEvent.aspx?eventId=174844&affCode=rekAEw&forceredirect=1
Venue: Nikki Beach
Day 1 – Hard Miami
With an insane lineup, there is no question as to why tickets sold out almost instantly. Were you lucky enough to grab tickets?
Venue: Grand Central
Dusky Presents:
Ticket Link: http://www.wantickets.com/Events/176312/DUSKY-PRESENTS/
Venue: Treehouse
Thursday, March 26th:
Dim Mak Beach party – Secret guests? We like secret guests…
Ticket Link: http://diskolab.wantickets.com/Events/ShowEvent.aspx?eventId=175846&affCode=rekAEw&forceredirect=1
Venue: Nikki Beach
For the bass music enthusiasts (at night)…
SMOG vs FIREPOWER
Ticket Link: http://www.wantickets.com/Events/176012/Smog-vs-Firepower/
Venue: Mekka
For the bass music enthusiasts (during the day)…
STACKED Miami
Ticket Link: http://www.wantickets.com/Events/176151/Stacked-Miami-2015/
Venue: Steam
Mixmash Miami Pool Party
Ticket Link: http://www.wantickets.com/Events/176255/MIXMASH-MIAMI-Pool-Party/
Venue: National Hotel
Disclosure presents Wild Life
Venue: SoHo Studios Pavillion
Above & Beyond’s only Miami Music Week performance… The only tickets left are $2000.00+ VIP tickets – we’ll take 3
Venue: Mana Wynwood
Ticket Link: http://www.wantickets.com/Events/176901/WE-ARE-ALL-WE-NEED-w-ABOVE-BEYOND-Only-Miami-Music-Week-Show/
Hard Miami: Rump Shaker
Knife Party? Zeds Dead? Yes please.
Ticket Link (very limited number of tickets left): https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/787489
Big Beat & Friends Pool Party.
Dash Berlin… Poolside? Count us in!
Ticket Link: http://delano.wantickets.com/Events/ShowEvent.aspx?eventId=176810
Venue: Delano Beach Club
Friday March 27th:
Night Boat with Dubfire & Seth Troxler B2B
A boat party from 3AM to 9AM? With an open bar? No wonder this event sold out…
Day 1 – No Sugar Added
Venue: Nikki Beach
Ticket Link: http://nsamiami.wantickets.com/Events/175316/No-Sugar-Added-Beach-Festival-2015/
FOOL’S GOLD Miami
You can’t go wrong with Fool’s Gold, and tickets are only $10…
Ticket Link: http://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/807717
Venue: Grand Central
Did you bring your fancy pants?
Martin Garrix
Venue: Mansion
Ticket Link: http://www.wantickets.com/Events/177700/Martin-Garrix-Friends/
Kaskade (if you were not one of the lucky ‘Redux’ ticket holders)
Venue: Story
Ticket Link: http://www.flavorus.com/event/Kaskade-STORY/286045
Saturday March 28th:
No Sugar Added – Day 2
Venue: Nikki Beach
Ticket Link: http://nsamiami.wantickets.com/Events/175316/No-Sugar-Added-Beach-Festival-2015/
Cosmic Gate & Friends Sunset Cruise
Ticket Link: http://www.wantickets.com/Events/174743/Cosmic-Gate-Friends-Sunset-Cruise/
Dada Land Compound – Miami
Venue: Mana Wynwood
Ticket Link: http://manawynwood.wantickets.com/Events/176986/DADA-LIFE-THE-DADA-LAND-COMPOUND-MIAMI/
Nicky Romero X Protocol Recordings
Venue: Mansion
Ticket Link: http://www.wantickets.com/Events/176238/Nicky-Romero-presents-PROTOCOL305/
W&W Presents Mainstage Music
Venue: Space Miami
Ticket Link: http://www.wantickets.com/Events/177305/W-W-Presents-MAINSTAGE-MUSIC/
Sander Van Doorn Records Pool Party
Venue: The National Hotel
Ticket Link: http://www.wantickets.com/Events/176657/SANDER-VAN-DOORN-Presents-DOORN-RECORDS-POOL-PARTY/
Sunday March 29th:
The Buygore Pool Party – You know a Borgore pool party will be wild. It will also feature a set from Rain Man (formally of Krewella), one of his very first sets as a solo act.
Venue: The National Hotel
Ticket Link: http://national.wantickets.com/Events/176827/THE-BORGORE-POOL-PARTY-w-Borgore-More/
Dirtybird MMW Closing Party
Venue: Steam
Ticket Link: http://www.wantickets.com/Events/175982/Dirtybird-MMW-Closing-Party/
I’m A House Gangster
What better way to end MMW then on a rooftop watching the sun rise? Oh, and E11even Miami is a strip club/nightclub. It is worth checking out.
Venue: E11even Miami
Ticket Link: http://11miami.urvenue.com/uvevent/705050209U708524246/150329/DJ-SNEAK.html
**We would love to see your photos from Miami Music Week so make sure to tag us on Twitter, and give us some love on Instagram as well! Let the madness of MMW begin!**
