Mixmag - Sonar is the new Miami
Author: Jonty Skrufff
Friday, February 16, 2007
“As a magazine we've been focused on Europe in recent years because that's where the music and artists we get excited about are coming from. And Sonar is where you'll get to see all those artists in one place,” he explained. “Plus none of us go to clubs for $300 Premium Vodka Bottle Service. We go to clubs to rave,” he laughed.
“Miami’s not as important as it used to be. I think the days of going to Miami to find the big record are behind us,” James continued. “As a business, Mixmag isn't hosting any parties there this year because the effort and cost involved wouldn't provide much of a return.”
He also admitted being discouraged from Miami by the increasingly violent behaviour of door staff at some of the city’s biggest clubs, with numerous European delegates complaining of being assaulted in recent years. In 2005, Mixmag staff writer Gavin Herlily told Skrufff how he was brutally attacked as he innocently queued outside one of the city’s biggest superclubs, in an incident he said reflected the atmosphere throughout Miami Beach.
“Every club I went to seemed to be staffed by rude and aggressive security. The complete lack of respect for customers, especially Europeans there for the Conference, made me wonder why the industry bothers with Miami in the first place,” Gavin complained.
“The clubs themselves are overpriced and the staff that work in them arrogant and disrespectful. Most of the people that go to the South Beach superclubs are vacuous Americans with more money, silicone and steroids than sense. Music seems to come second best to hiring tables and showing off how much money they have. If I were to advise someone interested in going, I’d say save your money and go to Ibiza.”
www.skrufff.com
Tags