​​So, Fedde Le Grand rocked the hiz.

Back in 2006, homie exploded out of the Netherlands with "Put Your Hands Up 4 Detroit" and landed loads of worldwide awards, including several International Dance Music Awards. He released his debut, 2009's Output, on his own Flamingo Recordings imprint with a little help from friend (and business partner) Funker -- plus Fedde's remixed Madonna, Robbie Williams, Will.i.am, Mr V, Martin Solveig, and Sharam.

And his Day Two set at Ultra Music Festival was only one of three performances he threw down this weekend, preceded by a demolition of Ultra's Main Stage on Friday and an afterhours invasion of Mansion later last night.
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via Digital 21 vs. Ana Curra's Flickr

The lady half of duo Digital 21 vs. Ana Curra.

​So, we're officially in the midst of Miami Music Festival. Or Ultra Week. Or Winter Music Conference V.2. Or WMC A.D. Or whatever the hell you feel like calling it.

And basically, this is the gist: Another week of parties uniting some of the best electronic music talent in the world with some of the electro scene's most rabid fans. It's an opportunity to see some of your favorite acts, and catch performers you might not get to see otherwise.

The Centro Cultural Español and Ableton understand this. And that's why they're bringing you Eléctrico tonight.
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Ghostwridah and the downtown skyline.

​Despite the virtually non-existent crowd and Iceberg's no-show, yesterday afternoon's New Times hip-hop stage was pretty solid. Kicking it off, Ramzez rolled through a rapid-fire set of gritty shit and hard beats. And then, Ghostwridah ran things a little deeper in the same direction.

Why didn't Iceberg make the gig? Who knows. But he was running two hours late and the MMF sound crew made the executive decision to shut it all down.

No matter. Check the cut for video of Ramzez and Ghostwridah ripping it up.
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Photo by Ian Witlen

Vivian Girls rip it!

​See the full 22-photo Vivian Girls slideshow.

Over the weekend, there was this thing called the "Miami Music Festival." We here at Crossfade chattered about it for days like a bunch of monkeys on speed. Some of you seemed to take notice. Others simply dismissed that noise as schizo babble.

So for all of you who ignored us and failed to show up for Vivian Girls on Saturday, here are some photos and a concert review to help you pretend to have been there. The CliffNotes: Beers cost $10, the club mistreated the band and its best friends, and no shorts were allowed. (At an indie show?!) It could've been a generally shitty time, except for the fact that Vivian Girls and local sidekicks Beings fucking ripped it.

Anyway, see the cut for a few select pics.
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​Day 3: My Miami Music Fest triathlon concluded yesterday with a two-part event: the Miami New Times stage at Bayfront Park in the afternoon, and Charcoal Studios at night.

I was looking forward to both because we got to share the stage with the likes of King Bee and the Auctioneers from New York. The funny thing is that Juke was cofounded by myself and Auctioneers guitar player Erik Broberg some years back when we met at the Titanic Brewery's blues jam. He was a frustrated University of Miami blues disciple. Those jazz kids really frown on the blues.
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Photo by Ian Witlen

​See the full 22-photo Vivian Girls slideshow.

Vivian Girls
Miami Music Festival: Tom Tom Magazine Showcase
Gemma on Lincoln Road
Saturday, November 13, 2010

Better Than: Swindling the doorman of a traditionally pretentious South Beach nightclub into letting you forego a cover, and walk into the joint wearing shorts.
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Photo by Eric Garcia

​Day Two: "It's like deja vu all over again."

I'm back at the same venue, the Stage, for my first real crack at the whole Miami Music Festival experience. Tonight, however, they have added an outdoor stage to accommodate all the rocking that is planned to go on.

Actually, the lineup is pretty good. Most of the bands know each other, and there is a smooth ease to loading in as musicians shake hands, half-hug, and decide who's going to share whose equipment.
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Marta Xochilt Perez

Arboles Libres' Eddie Moreno.

​It was the 28th hour of the Miami Music Festival. And out in the Tobacco Road parking lot amid broken beer bottles and oil-stained asphalt, Fernando Perdomo and Forward Motion Records laid down a low-key powwow.

The night's full lineup included Lauren & Alexandra Mann, Lizette Santana, Jill Hartmann, Vic Kingsley, Sylvia Emmerson, and Omine. By midnight, though, the local label's marquee crews -- Dreaming in Stereo and Arboles Libres -- were due for some stage time.

Check the cut for video from those two late-night sets.
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Victor Gonzalez's iPhone

​​Where were you last night? Did you hang around Cafeina for the acoustic Taylor Guitar showcase, or get your Christian on at the Urban Inspired Gospel gig inside the Hyatt Ballroom? Whatever the case, there were a bunch of options last night, and Miami Music Festival's Friday night showcases highlighted some of the city's best in commercially viable music. Miami <3 radio rock.

At Transit Lounge, however, music felt a little more passionate and authentic thanks to Bright Light Social Hour and ArtOffical's after-midnight sets.
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Photo by Eric Garcia

Teepee shreds at the Stage.

​Day One: It's called a "soft opening" of Miami's newest live music venue, The Stage. An optimist might say that the seeds of culture are beginning to sprout as these new clubs see the light of night.

It's also New Times' VIP kickoff party for the Miami Music Festival, and the two seemed to make a good match for this sophomore event. I'm standing here with my favorite shoes on, all set to play four shows in three days and ready to sing my heart out with Juke for free. Hopeful for new opportunities, yet skeptical from experience.More >>