We all knew that the Winter Music Conference has changed its dates for the first time in years. Usually falling in the 3rd week of March, WMC moved to the 1st week of March. Ultra Music Festival (the largest part of WMC) decided to continue their 3rd week of March dates. The result was WMC and UMF being two weeks apart. Think of WMC+UMF like SXSW Music. SXSW has panels & live performances, while in town perform at venues to get discovered. The panels and performances are mostly separate but it’s all SXSW. WMC & UMF are like that when together. WMC is panels and industry people talking about trends and other things like how to get signed and you can attend panels from artists. Given that EVERYONE in electronic music is there, there is no shortage of evening parties from the world’s top DJs for a fraction of the price you’d normally pay to see these guys on tour. There is also a single site where you can buy tickets for every event you want to see that week. WMC Ends on Friday and that’s the day that UMF begins (at 4PM) and runs through the weekend.
UMF was the WMC music festival even though they are completely separate businesses. This year, things changed.
WMC took place on the 1st week and UMF continued their 3rd week of March plan. This news forced a lot of people to pick which week they would attend. Do you go to Miami with the rest of the industry (attending WMC and the International Dance Music Awards Ceremony) or do you go during the time when the majority of “fans” are in town who will, in turn buy tickets to your party the week of Ultra?
Everyone made up their minds and “Miami Music Week” was formed.Now, WMC was panels and small parties with some evening festivities from a couple of notable DJs as well as the IDMAs (award ceremony) and Miami Music Week came two weeks later and that is now “the fun week”. Who wants to sit on boring panels all week when you can come two weeks later and see the world’s best DJs followed by the worlds best electronic music festival?
I hear WMC was not the same this year.
I figured this would be a one time thing but, on the hand out at Ultra, Miami Music Week 2012 is being promoted with a web URL and UMF is officially a part of that (not WMC). Even if WMC changes its dates to be in line with Ultra, it would appear that every party, DJ appearance, promotion and “fun activity” will be tied to MMW and not WMC going forward.
So now, if you want the industry aspect, you go to WMC and then come back 2 weeks later for the fun. It sounds insane but the rumor for all of this and how it got startes was simply because WMC neglected to book the conference center in time forcing them to choose a different date. Everyone moved on within a 60 day period and started their own thing and WMC is left out to dry.
It’s pretty sad how quickly things turned this way but, “Miami Music Week” is now an official name for the 3rd week in March and with Ultra Music Festival, the people are deciding to go that week instead of WMC week. I know which one I’ll be choosing next year.
The winner is clear and I feel bad for the WMC people because, after 20 years, they became the uncool event in Miami for the month of March.