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MIAMI BLOG: DAY TWO

Sunday March 17th

Sunday was pretty overcast day in South Beach, but the lack of Sun hasn't really influenced the wardrobe choices on display.

Regular contributor @Agarcita has been in touch again, reporting from the many stages of Ultra festival, this time with a photo of Alesso and another stage shot She assures us she is having the #timeofmylife, which is just swell by us.

Meanwhile @KeiserKat was feeling the love for a certain Italian electro act:

@DJmag ..don't sleep on @crookersdotnet murdering it now...turn up!!!

Back in South Beach, we swung by the National hotel, where R3hab was hosting his pool party. On arrival we encountered a huge snaking queue outside, headed up by the much-feared Miami Fire Wardens (cue scary music). 

For those not familiar with the running of Miami pool parties - the fire wardens are strict enforcers who have the power to shut down any event if it is deemed to fail regulations. Basically when they turn up, the promoters lose their cool in a big way!

With all the events going on each day in Miami it is sometimes hard to remember that this all sprung from an industry conference. That's right kids, Ultra and the associated chaos in is a fairly new creation. Back in the day the parties were populated by miserable industry types who would prop up the bar and rarely go near the dancefloor. How things have changed...

Anyway WMC, the industry event at the core of it all is still going strong. We turned up to get registered and have a look around before heading back to one of the official conference parties at The Surfcomber. If you are interested in networking and checking out the other side of Miami - you should fit this in too.

And while we are talking about the other side of Miami - you should also check out this great rundown of the city's alternative venues.

At the Surfcomber we are treated to the good and the awful sides of the current EDM explosion. First off, Cassius's classic 'Feeling for You' rings around The pool to cheers all round (good). Unfortunately we are then hammered by a succession of horrible remixes of indie tracks (awful). If you haven't read our RANT on this subject you should do so now. Dance music is brilliant already, we don't need to recycle Coldplay or tracks to make it better. 

Back at Ultra, Steve Aoki is entertaining on the mainstage. He seems to spend more time yelling "F*** Yeah" into the mic and smashing cake into the crowd's faces, than he does behind the decks, but there is no arguing with the crowd response. It went bonkers! Even if it did resemble some kind of weird EDM circus act.

We mopped up the evening with the guys from DJ Mag Canada and also the gents from Moog Music, who are hosting this great party at Delano on Saturday.

That is all for today. Keep your tweets and photos coming in to @djmag and if you need help planning your Miami adventures, be sure to consult our MIAMI LISTINGS.