Miami Madness

And so the conference commences. After a mountainous all-American breakfast, DJmag catches a cab to meet Steve Bug, Germany's house and techno leviathan. It's at his hotel The Standard that we meet the legendary selector. Located in a chic spot out of the way and on a quayside with magnificent views over the harbour (very Miami Vice), it's the perfect introduction to WMC proper.

Catching up with the Bug (real name Stefan Brugesch), we hear of his Miami plans, crazy tour schedules, and fresh output for his trio of labels – Poker Flat, Dessous, and Audiomatique – the first of which is to celebrate its first decade next year. Later, after observing the parade of freaks and funky folk around South Beach, we hit up the Townhouse for the Freak 'n' Chic party, where super fresh, elastic acid, and lush deep house is banged out on a low-rise rooftop to a small but appreciative crowd.

The main event tonight though is undoubtedly to be the Ovum vs. Poker Flat party. Catching a cab to the ominous, industrial downtown sector – all immense flyovers and derelict dark streets – we arrive at the Vagabond, a veritable pearl amongst the dread all around. Part owned by John Digweed, its palatial garden and killer soundsystem is the perfect spot to catch Israeli techno titan Shlomi Aber, and Steve Bug himself, offering up bumpin' tech-infused house, and trippier, more expansive beats respectively. Bring on tomorrow!