The Tommy Lackner Version of a WMC Wrap Up
That's a relief. It's over and done with. We can relax, detox, eat on a regular human schedule, be bored/lonely, and use phones instead of text messaging. WMC 2008 is complete, seemingly a huge success by most accounts.
A word of thanks: I had an awesome time this year and it was fulfilling on a professional level as well. I'd like to thank the entire Miami Nights family and the extended fam; our "foreign correspondents" Victor and Mike; and the promoters and venues who generously and wisely chose to work closely with us during this week, especially Embrace, Future Mob, Pawn Shop, PlexiPR Betty Kang PR, and Studio A.
I didn't go to every party (who could?); I didn't even go to 25% of the parties I wanted to go to. But here are some conclusions I've drawn from the ones I did attend. Keep in mind that I may have self-selected some of these results by where I went
What was the same as 2007: Incredible music. So many great DJs that I suffer from paralysis of analysis and just decide to do whatever is easiest. Banging music that I may never forget and will totally spoil me once the local DJs go back to playing like local DJs. Awesome, unique people in every nook and cranny. The ability to actually get in to a club during WMC is way too random. Door policies, photo access and drink prices change at the drop of a hat, tons of delays.
Read on for the rest of my ranting, and be sure to add your thoughts in the comments section..
What was different in 2008: There seemed to be a lot more options for good parties than last year. Perhaps I just noticed them more due to our event list, but I was completely overwhelmed and honestly a bit annoyed. I'd like to see the parties thinned out a bit next year to boost revenue at each venue. This will never happen, because all entities involved are endlessly sniping at one another but it's a cute dream.
The events I attended seemed to be better prepared, with more equipment staged, more professional audio handling, more carefully planned in-venue experiences. DJs played better with more unique music and less formulaic sets. This is probably because of the increasing use of advanced technology that makes robust, daring music mixes easier to accomplish live.
Worryingly, downtown parties in all venues (except perhaps Nocturnal) seemed less busy than the years before. One anonymous source told me his venue made half of what it made last year. I guess this is a symptom of broader, less house-focused competition from the beach, but downtown clubs should know to tune for that by now.
The audience seemed to be composed of fewer completely drugged up European weirdos and more American attractive working class folk. I could be totally off base, but it felt more.. civilized.
Best party moments: Wanting to die from sensory overload during Simian Mobile Disco's Daft Punk-besting crunchfest at Studio A, including speaker fires. Shamelessly drunk and obnoxious 11 minute appearance at the Money Shot warehouse party: "let's go swimming!" Sunday @ 8pm very busy Pawn Shop. That Raleigh thing with Calvin Harris, which perhaps was awesome only due to the people who were there and the refreshing change of pace. And the waterguns.
Worst party moments: Not being as moved by M.A.N.D.Y. as years previous. Intensity, u has it? The terrible, screaming door abuse at Suite for the A-Trak thing. Die in a fire.
Biggest regret: Not doing more daytime parties! Why am I so lazy? Radio 1 Pool Party, how hyped I was for you. Again I didn't see Richie Hawtin even though I easily could have.
I'm going to go to sleep now. I think I will be sleeping for a few years. I may never wake up again.
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Thomas Lackner lives in filth.
