What To Expect From The Miami Winter Music Conference 2012
written by: D E Bradley
EDM Music News - Winter Music Conference
The Miami Winter Music Conference is not simply just another music festival. Winter Music Conference includes a host of top events, which are both entertaining and informative, that draws in crowds and industry professionals from across the globe. Its status and calibre commands so much respect that it has become one the most anticipated and well-attended events in electronic and dance music – and Winter Music Conference is indeed on the American musical calender.
Now into its 27th year, the Winter Music Conference has developed into the largest of its kind - making it essentially the SXSW of the dance world - and it generates the same level of excitement as other key American music events such as Coachella. It is estimated that in 2011, over 100,000 people attended the event, which brought over 1400 artists to 403 events and 89 venues. These staggering statistics show how far the event has come and, seeing as though there is no sign of enthusiasm for the event waning, it could expand further. It is now the highlight of the genre’s annual events, partly because of its party atmosphere and partly because it plays such a vital role.
The Winter Music Conference is so important because it is not just about dance parties and showing off current talent. A major aspect of the Winter Music Conference is the seminars and workshops available to help struggling artists and teach people about the industry. Showcasing up and coming artists is something the event prides itself upon, in the past it helped launch the careers of Lady Gaga and Rihanna and it continually gives budding musicians the chance to earn a critique of their demo at workshops. WMC’s role as a tool for the global industry rather than an ordinary event is no better highlighted than with the fact that last year more delegates from the media, record labels and producers attended than artists, and of these, only 62% were American.
This years Winter Music Conference – from March 16th to the 25th – looks set to rival previous years with another great range of seminars, discussions, events and competitions that will have fans entertained and informed all week of EDM Music. Winter Music Conference begins with the Opening Pool Party at the Surfcomber Hotel, which boasts a long list of artists performing and continues across the city in a week packed full of great events. The full itinerary of Winter Music Conference is far too extensive to list here, but highlights selected by the organisers include Q&A sessions with artists such as Grammy nominated BT, the International Record Collectors Show and “The Record” - a contemporary exhibition at the Miami Art Museum.
The majority of events of Winter Music Conference can be attended by all badge holders, however one of the most important annual events is unfortunately for delegates only – the International Dance Music Awards. This star-studded ceremony on March 22nd is a chance for Miami to celebrate the best in the industry, and in 2012 will be hosted by Daniel Glass with special appearance from many artists including DJ Shadow and Deadmau5.
This is just a taste of what to expect from the 2012 Winter Music Conference, but given the success and variety of events on offer in 2011, you can be sure that this 27th event will be just as exciting and satisfying for all concerned.
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