The Zen of WMC

By Kris Conesa

B.E.D. co-owner Lance Tinkler and Tommy Lee. Photo by Peter Richardson

Stop the Hate. Participate

Winter Music Conference the Decade Edition was admittedly a little disappointing in both crowd size and the level of enthusiasm. Still, it did bring into town some of the most recognizable names in electronic music. Though the conference has come a long way from 500 people raving on the sand to the commercial conglomerate of madness and PR that it is now, it is still one of the most quintessential Miami events and I’m already looking forward to next year.

Maybe it’s because I’m a little older now. It’s just that the idea of dropping copious amounts of ecstasy while indulging in anonymous make-out sessions with half-naked women dressed as fairies no longer appeals. It just doesn’t do it for me the way it once did. These days I’m sporting expensive white kicks that daddy didn’t pay for, so the notion of being ankle-deep in mud, cheap beer and other people’s bodily fluids sounds like a hassle I don’t need. That’s why this year, instead of hanging in goop and puke, I ventured where no true break-beat or Miami bass fan would ever be caught dead — even wearing Adidas and a WMC badge:

In the VIP

That’s right, people. I lounged at every VIP lounge and gifting suite I could find. It was hard to work. I mean, breakdancing is frowned upon in these situations. But there’s plenty of free booze and food at all these places and no one pushes you. I like that. Oh, and the best part? Instead of dealing with the traffic and madness that come with trying to track down your favorite DJ in some godforsaken corner of the beach — get this — they actually bring the top names in electronic music right to your comfy couch in a penthouse suite.

For an OG like me and some of you out there, the skills we learned in high school sneaking into nightclubs pretending to be Duncan Ross (The Womb, FTV) or some other popular DJ came in very handy at places like The Next Big Thing gifting lounge. This was a cozy little three-floor condo on 23rd Street and Dade Boulevard. They were giving away everything from skateboards to shoes to golden headphones.

It was supposed to be for artists and industry types, but you know how I roll. That’s right, on my new skateboards and shiny blue kicks. Anyway, MSTRKRAFT and Tommy Sunshine were kicking it there, and so were DJ Aoki and DJ AM. They were just lounging around, trying on clothes and doing interviews. It was a pretty cool little shindig until the cops shut it down because it didn’t have the right permits.

After that we headed over to another VIP lounge. This one had all the right permits. The BMF Media Group with Armani Exchange created a VIP retreat and media hub in the penthouse of the Raleigh Hotel. The place was transformed into a chic and stylish lounge exclusive to artists, celebrities and VIPs, and served as a home base to recharge and relax during conference.

Belvedere Vodka cocktails, Peroni Beer, FIJI Water, hors d’oeuvres and Internet and e-mail access were free to all who had a wristband, or in my case, stole one. Acclaimed DJs including Paul van Dyk, Sasha and Digweed, Mark Ronson, Bob Sinclar, Tommy Lee and DJ Aero, Carl Cox, Dubfire, Danny Howells, Sander Kleinenberg, Steve Lawler, James Zabiela, Junkie XL and Tracy Young all made their way to this lounge, and rightfully so. It rocked.

EVERYONE was there. It was awesome. It lasted from Wednesday to Friday. Sirius Satellite radio did live interviews and Skullcandy gave out some sick headphones and gear. A/X donated some cool shades to the celebrity DJ cause. Solange Knowles, the prettier sister of Beyoncé, also dropped by. She was dressed very ladylike and looked a bit out of place. She insisted on getting her picture taken with superstar DJ John Digweed. Hmmm, what do you think, collaboration in the works?

DJ Pillow?

Later on that night Tommy Lee arrived at South Beach’s B.E.D. with a new tattoo. He got there around 1 a.m. with his girlfriend, a 21-year-old brunette with an amazing body. The couple spent the majority of the pre-spinning time hanging out with co-owner Lance Tinkler and Marketing Director Olivia Ormos. The group got to know each other and chatted about topics ranging from where they grew up to how great business has been.

Spotted:

Owen Wilson at Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink on Monday night.

Jennifer Aniston was also there on Saturday night.

Singer Paulina Rubio and actress Mena Suvari chatting about god knows what in the VIP area at Ultra Music Festival on Saturday drinking Snow Queen Vodka cocktails.

Russell Simmons at Funkshion on Friday night.