Some things are a given during Miami Music Week: Ultra Music Festival going bonkers, Swedish House Mafia throwing their own party, outrageous prices at LIV, and good tunes at pool parties from the Catalina to the Shelborne. While you could practically spend each day swimming from one pool party to another, you certainly can't do MMW in one place. With Ultra and Masquerade a given -- and both long sold out -- here are ten great options for tunes, sun, and plastic cups, from tropical bass blends in Brickell to big room house by big time names.
(Can't get enough? Check out Winter Music Conference's all-event roundup The List here -- and the 'official' Miami Music Week club roundup here.)
Hard/Mad Decent Moombahton Massive
Wednesday, March 21 at 10 p.m.
Grand Central
$25 advance
You can see Diplo about five times a year in Miami, but then, it's always a good time. Those who missed out on Holy Ship! will be please to see Hard isn't content with cornering the boating crowd, but is now setting up their own mini-fest during MMW, too. Dillon Francis, Nadastrom, Buraka Som Sistema, DJ Craze, Tittsworth, and more make up the moombahton and bass-loving lineup. Bonus for the kids: this is one of the only events that's 18+.
Tormenta Tropical vs. Mixpak vs. Grizzly
Thursday, March 22
10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Blackbird Ordinary
We know, we know: a MMW event in Brickell! And you may have never heard of Tormenta Tropical, because the long-running soundclash of cumbia, dancehall, reggaeton, tribal guarachero, moombahton, and other tropical sounds is based all the way in San Francisco. But Miami loves tropical, and dancing, and bass, and dancing to tropical bass, so shake yourself over to one of the most envelope-pushing events of the week featuring the exotic sounds of Sinden, Jubilee, Jackmaster, Dubbel Dutch, Samo Sound Boy, Shawn Reynaldo, Jillionaire, Dre Skull, Brenmar, and Sabo.
Ed Banger Records tribute to DJ Mehdi
Friday, March 23rd from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The Standard Hotel
RSVP required
With sets from A-Trak, Boys Noize, Brodinski, Busy P, Riton, Surkin, and a special guest, this tribute to one of the decade's best talents is already one of the best-spun parties of the week. That it's bayside at The Standard means it's also going to be one of the most beautiful of the entire year. RSVP to MWeekEvents@standardhotel.com to attend, but beware: this one's filling up fast.
Pete Tong's Pool Party
Friday, March 23 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Surfcomber Hotel
$75 to $95
As if you're going to work on Friday. Some of EDM's biggest names hit the pool along with its biggest ambassador for a sunny day of choooons. Calvin Harris, DJ Chuckie, Guy Gerber, Joris Voorn, Nic Fanciulli, and the WMC-loving Seth Troxler hit the decks at this Club Space/Go Big-approved bash.
Get Lost 7th Session
Electric Pickle
Saturday, March 24 from 'early morning' to midnight
Good luck at the door!
We don't need to tell you how incredibly popular this after-hours-to-all-hours annual housefest is. Art Department, Danny Daze, Damien Lazarus, Guti, Macio Plex, Shaun Reeves and more spin this Crosstown Rebels-led, three-floors-filling untztravaganza -- and we know 'sold out' has never stopped many of you from finding a way into a hot Miami party. Good luck!
Dim Mak Pool Party
Obey the Kitty Miami Edition
Saturday, March 24 from noon to 9 p.m.
Highbar at Dream South Beach
$50
Sidney Samson goes from Riverside (mother------!) to ocean view with Lil Jon, Felix da Housecat, Junior Sanchez, Joachim Garraud, and more. It's a pool party, so you already know how this is going down.
Chicken n Beer No. 3
Saturday March 24 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The Standard Hotel
RSVP Required
You like chicken, and you like beer, and you really, really like-a da bass. This is the party for you! Find Jillionaire, Jubilee, Samo Soundboy, Johnny Love aka Deathface, Rice n Peas, and special guests getting down on the Bay with the grill a smokin' and beats a-bangin'. RSVP to MWeekEvents@standardhotel.com to attend before it's too late.
Giant Throbbing Electric Pickle Invades Miami
Electric Pickle
Sunday, March 25 from 7 a.m. to 5 a.m.
$45
Sunday School 2012? Sort of. This 22-hour bacchanalia features a murderer's row of underground house stars, from an exclusive live set from Benoit & Sergio to Tensnake (making his much-anticipated Miami debut this week!) and Guy Gerber, Jesse Rose, Heidi, Soul Clap, Wolf + Lamb, and more inbetween. Three floors, an entire day, and none of that South Beach valet business.
The Do-Over Miami
Sunday, March 25 from 4 p.m. to Midnight
Blackbird Ordinary
Free; no RSVP required
This beloved L.A.-bred party is based on the element of surprise -- no one but hosts Haycock, Strong, and Blacc knows who's spinning until they show up, but the guests are always great (last year's sun-drenched soiree at Bar brought out Cosmo Baker, Nick Catchdubs, Rich Medina, and Gaslamp Killer). A rare spot of funk and hip-hop in a week of untz and untz, the very casual Do-Over is just the spot for maxing and relaxing (and a little bit of macking).
Size Matters with Steve Angello
Sunday, March 25 from 6 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Fontainebleau Poolside
$50 - $15,000
If you can't squeeze in Swedish House Mafia's Masquerade Motel and you missed out on Angello at Space, consider this your re-do of the season. 1/3 of Scandinavia's hottest export takes over the sprawling Fontainebleau's pool area for a sun-drenched session with Max Vangelli, AN21, and Junior Sanchez.
Okay, we lied: here's an 11th event that dubstep fans won't want to miss:
Skrillex at Music Loves Fashion/OWSLA Pool Party
Wednesday, March 21 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The Raleigh Hotel
$60 and up
Dubstep's pied piper hits the most gorgeous pool in Miami alongside Zedd, Kill The Noise, Dillon Francis, Koan, Alvin Risk, The M Machine, and Nick Thayer. Wub wub wub! For anyone hoping to have the most Miami experience of all, there are VIP beds, cabanas, and tables available for as high as $20,000.