RA has hit South Beach and much to our delight we can confirm - it is hot!

What better way to start the conference than in proper, batty '80s style, with Lee Burridge and Danny Howells at their second 'pop tarts' event at Automatic Slims!

On hand to enjoy the classics revival were Jimmy Van M and the TCA crew, including John 'Curly' Digweed and JXL, who made a very good attempt at drinking the bar dry. Still, Lee Burridge took the award for Best Male Grooming, sporting a fetching headband, wig and $2 sunnies combo. Jostling within an hour of opening, it was interesting to see many industry bods and a surprisingly large number of Danny Howells' female 'friends' turning out in full force. Drinks weren’t cheap but hey, it’s Miami.

Having plundered the depths of Michael Jackson's back catalogue it was then off to the recently renovated Suite to check out Steve ‘Porterhouse’ Porter. As we hit the pavements of South Beach, industry folks, clubbers and spring breakers could all be seen traversing Collins, Washington and Ocean; the Arrivals hall at M.I.A no doubt doing some serious business. And by midnight, queues to clubs like Mansions, Onda and Crobar were bursting at the seams with pleas of "Do you know who I am?"

Formerly Spin, Club 112 etc, Suite re-opened earlier this year with a view to being one of the key venues of the WMC. The club has been stripped back, cleaned up, and divided into an array of smaller VIP-based sections. The result is a venue that feels very heavily based around the VIP table service, catering to the rich and musically uneducated. The venue seems to epitomise the US clubbing experience and tonight the crowd on hand was as diverse as the slab of 'Porterhouse' was energetic.

Our circadian rhythms still on GMT, we threw the towel in early and headed back to our Condo to hit the hay and do the one thing that won’t be preceded by the word ‘excessive’ this week - sleep!

WMC Photos - March 22 - Wednesday
Lee Burridge & Danny Howells 80's special at Automatic Slims