Thursday 23rd Feb, 2012

I Voice weekly view: Is the WMC still relevant?

Posted: 27/1/12 14:09

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I Voice weekly view: Is the WMC still relevant? Regardless of the controversy that tarnished last year's edition, Miami is still Miami. And as long as South Beach has fancy boats, fast cars, sandy beaches and silicone beauties, it'll always hold a place in its heart for electronic music. Every 'winter', when the WMC comes a-knocking, this love affair is duly cranked up a notch, and this year thankfully, is no different. What is most significant this time around however, is that the WMC and the UMF have settled their issues, with the latter's dates (16th-25th March) once again corresponding with the formers (23rd-25th).

Mind you, 2012 could yet prove a turbulent edition, with many feeling that the full effect of last year's fallout is yet to be properly felt. If it is, it's not affected the UMF, with the $300 'festival' already sold out. But if Miami's influence on the global scene truly is on the wane, it's high time the WMC called on their 27 years of experience to provide an answer.

Unfortunately however – and in spite of the fact that it's still two months away – early signs are proving ominous, with the recently announced absence of the iconic Sunday School parties (for a long time considered the beating heart of WMC's underground), proving an unwelcome talking point (and in many cases, the final straw) for many of the conference's more discerning electronic music fans. A full announcement is due shortly, but Sunday School’s lack of presence isn't likely to appease those who descend on the Florida coastline every March in search of more credible delights.

So the real question is this: Is the WMC still relevant? Well, with increased competition arriving both from home shores (DEMF), and from Europe (IMS, ADE, Sonar), and the Internet now the dominant force when it comes to networking opportunities, it's certainly a matter for debate. So although it still looks set to more than hold its own party wise (more on that in a bit), it's a sad fact that the collective showdown that is the UMF and the WMC is becoming increasingly commercial and capitalistic. Miami might be keen to buck the age of austerity, but demanding upwards of $120 for a boat party is bad taste if nothing else - regardless of what's on offer drink or music wise.

Encompassing the ‘International’ Dance Music Awards (IDMA's) into their remit does the WMC no favours either, with a quick glance at 2011's nominees revealing an awards ceremony that's about as 'international' as baseball’s World Series and as underground as an airborne 747. Then, there’s the fact that the UMF’s attendance figures easily usurp that of the WMC’s, and with all this in mind, it's tempting to wonder if true electronic music fans are being shunned in favour of those willing to spend big, as though the UMF/WMC has morphed into a 'Spring Break' of sorts.

Yet in spite of all that's been written, all that's been said and all that's been rumoured, there are still multiple reasons to love Miami. For a start, there's the warm weather. Then there's the city itself. Then, there's the all-important fact that the vast majority of the world's most prominent Dj's and producers will still descend there this March, even if this year's line-ups differs little compared to last. A host of renowned imprints will be there in force too, with label showcases arriving courtesy of Hot Creations and Ovum, while Air London's globetrotting ventures continue unabated with the fledging promoters returning to the infamous Electric Pickle venue. On a more strictly techno note, Carl Craig, Derrick Carter and many others are all hosting their own shindigs too, in the process further emphasising WMC’s diverse sounding appeal.

So.......Squabbles. Pickles. Boat parties. Massive line-ups, predictable line-ups and – maybe - some unexpected line-ups. It all reminds us of somewhere closer to home. Nonetheless, Miami 2012 will doubtlessly deliver its fair share of controversy, fun times and magical musical moments ahead, and as always should provide us with a glimpse of what we'll be listening to come this summer. We wouldn't miss it for the world, and with that in mind; we'll meet you up front.