5 reasons why you need to visit Miami Music Week
Held annually in March, Miami Music Week remains an integral aspect of the electronic music industry and looks set to continue to have a huge influence way into the future. There are three main aspects to the event, the Winter Music Conference (WMC), Miami Music Week (MMW), and Ultra Music Festival. WMC and MMW usually run simultaneously, with WMC covering the conference and MMW covering the recreational events, pool parties etc. To round off the week with a bang, Ultra Miami takes place at the very end, showcasing some of the finest talents in the industry.
Established in 2011, Miami Music Week has not been running for as long as the Winter Music Conference, which started in 1985. While the two events are closely knit, they offer a completely different experience and target a completely different demographic. Miami Music Week has quickly become one of the most important conferences on the electronic music calendar and looks set to continue to draw international interest from all over the world. But why exactly is the conference so important for artists to attend? In this article, we’ll look at five reasons why you should make sure to visit Miami Music Week.
The diversity of experiences available
The diversity of the experiences available for attendees is one of the many aspects that makes Miami Music Week so worthwhile to visit. From label pool parties to warehouse showcases, from exclusive rooftop parties to panels with industry experts, Miami Music Week really does have everything. In fact, there is so much going on during the week that it is near impossible to plan a schedule and fit in every single event you’d like to attend. No matter what your reasons are for attending the conference, you’ll find plenty of events to fit your needs.
Unique networking opportunities
The whole week also offers unique opportunities for networking with industry leaders, potentially opening the doors to opportunities. During your time at Miami Music Week, you’ll encounter plenty of artists and industry professionals, you simply need to look out for them when you’re out and about. With that being said, make sure to choose the right moment to approach people, you don’t want to give anybody a bad impression. Interacting with somebody and shedding a negative light on yourself could do long-lasting damage to your reputation within the industry. On the other hand, if you grasp the opportunities available and manage to make connections with influential people, you could see endless benefits way into the future.
For example, individuals like Maykel Piron, CEO of Armada, Valerie Lee, Global Culture Editor for Mixmag, and Carl Loben, Editor-in-Chief of DJ Mag are all set to speak during panels. While it isn’t guaranteed that you’ll manage to secure a conversation with any of these people, the opportunity is certainly there, and the opportunity alone has great value. Even some of the world’s leading artists are set to speak at the event, including Armin van Buuren and Carl Cox, both of whom are incredibly difficult to gain access to at any other kind of event. Being able to witness a panel from the two artists is rare, one of the many reasons that Miami Music Week holds so much potential for artists.
Content opportunities
Miami is naturally a very photogenic place, making it the perfect backdrop for your social media content. Even the colour of the ocean gives the imagines you publish online a more clickable quality. Particularly if you aren’t from Miami, travelling to the location to be part of Miami Music Week is a great opportunity for sharing content on social media and provides an exciting storyline for fans. People love to catch up on where other people are visiting and what they’re doing on social media, and Miami is one of those places that draws interest from around the globe. To take full advantage of the content opportunities, make sure to document your experience with visual evidence. Film a vlog, pose for photos in front of the ocean, live stream a Q&A on the beach, the options are endless.
Legitimising your brand
All eyes will be on Miami during the iconic music week, and being part of the action is incredibly beneficial. Simply being able to be in the moment and experiencing everything first hand is a great way to draw interest to your social media channels. Not only this but being at the centre of the action is a great way to further legitimise your brand. Public opinion is that everyone who is anyone attends Miami Music Week. For this reason, missing out makes it look like you’re not an important member of the community. Simply being at the event gives fans the impression that you have a big future and are set to work your way up the ladder.
Learning opportunities
Everywhere you look during Miami Music Week there are opportunities for you to learn and develop your skill set as an artist. Naturally, the most obvious learning opportunities are the many panels hosted as part of the Winter Music Conference, but these aren’t the only chances to learn more about the industry. Simply being in Miami, witnessing live performances and engaging in conversations with like-minded individuals, these are all learning opportunities. In terms of panels, you can learn everything there is to know about the electronic music industry. Everything is a learning opportunity, from listening to artists give tips to watching debates between leading industry professionals. Not only will you learn, but you’ll also gain a great deal of inspiration simply by engaging with other people.
The truth is that Miami Music Week is one of the single best opportunities for artists to gain experience and further their careers. While for many it may be a long way to travel, the rewards of attending far exceed the disadvantages of travelling a long way. Who knows, you might attend Miami Music Week and meet the individual who will facilitate your next great opportunity. You might get the chance to put your new music into the hands of a label boss or a leading artist. You might meet a like-minded individual and collaborate on a brand new project. It is almost impossible to measure the benefits of attending Miami Music Week because there are so many ways that you can improve as a result. To find out more about MMW 2019 check out the official website.