There was a time when the cynics believed that record stores were doomed to go the way of Blockbuster video rental joints: abandoned and forgotten by the masses who once flocked to their doors. But the resurging popularity of vinyl has created a new niche market in which local music…
Since 2007, every third Saturday in April has been set aside for the observance of Record Store Day, when vinyl lovers and music fans show love and appreciation to the their local shops. In Miami, though brick-and-mortar music retailers like Spec’s, Virgin Megastore, and F.Y.E. are certainly a thing of…
Ultra is safe … For now. During yesterday’s Miami City Commission meeting, Mayor Tomás Regalado and Commissioner Marc Sarnoff backed off on their most recent blitz to ban the EDM Festival from Miami. At about 12:45 p.m., the mayor and commissioner announced a surprise withdrawal of their resolution “prohibiting the…
What happened with the Ultra ban? Well, we won’t find out for another two weeks, because the Miami City Commission has just delayed the issue till its next meeting on April 24. Originally scheduled to be discussed, considered, and voted upon today, the resolution was withdrawn by both sponsors, Mayor…
Ultra Music Festival has issued a “call to action.” Responding to Mayor Tomás Regalado and Commissioner Marc Sarnoff’s proposed ban, the EDM fest has launched a petition to “Keep UMF in Miami.” “In order to stay at Bayfront Park,” Ultra writes, “we need your support now.” And at the time…
Where’s Molly? Wrong question, party people. It’s a ridiculous myth that any drug purchased on the street advertised as “real molly” is ecstasy in its purest form. That tab’s more likely to be some mystery pill that could kill you. So follow the advice of Miami’s TestSure and try asking:…
In a galaxy not so far away, Telekinetic Walrus and the Pride of Ions is captivating audiences with a fusion of electronic booty-bouncing hip-hop and fantastic folk. After a two-year hiatus spent recording music and building the Walrus Cave, this team of intergalactic superheroes returned to the Miami music scene…
Chaos. Gatecrashing. Drug use. Graffiti. Crime. In the wake of Ultra Music Festival 2014, Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado and Commissioner Marc Sarnoff have hyperbolically enumerated the evils of the EDM fest in pursuit of a city-wide ban. There were two undeniable tragedies at this year’s fest: the trampling of security…
Speakeasy. Whorehouse. Music landmark. For the last 101 years, Tobacco Road has stood at 626 S. Miami Avenue, serving a clientele of locals, drifters, and legends in need of booze, good times, rhythm, blues, and rock ‘n’ roll. This tavern survived Prohibition. It lasted through the lawless coke-addled days of…
It’s done. According to Churchill’s Pub founder and owner Dave Daniels, the sale of the legendary Little Haiti boozing establishment and live-music venue has been finalized. “Yes, it is,” Daniels tells Crossfade. “I am meeting with the buyer tomorrow. There will be further details then.” See also: Churchill’s Pub Owner…
Two years after the release of their last mixtape, Wig Party, Cuci Amador and Tony Smurphio of Miami indie-dance sensation Afobeta are eager to unleash some new music on the world. But even though they’ve been recently performing new material at shows, an official EP or full-length release appears unlikely…
Loaded gun. Suspended driver’s license. Cocaine. Yesterday morning, Trick Daddy (government name Maurice Young) was stopped by members of the Broward County Drug Task Force while leaving his home in Miramar. According to the arrest report, the 39-year-old lupus-afflicted rapper was behind the wheel without proper certification. So police requested…
In the wake of security guard Erica Mack being trampled during the very first day of Ultra 2014 by an out-of-control gatecrashing mob, the festival has been called out for negligence by Miami politicians, including Mayor Tomás Regalado and City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff. Meanwhile, Ultra organizers have even been targeted…
Amid calls from some Miami officials to cancel Ultra after one fence storming resulted in the near-death of 28-year-old security guard Erica Mack, a new video has surfaced showing more than a dozen Ultra fans hopping another fence to sneak in. (Tickets to the three-day event retailed at close to…
Miami Police Chief Manuel Orosa was defiant during a news conference on Monday, saying his department warned Ultra about the weak spot in the event’s fence where a security guard would later be trampled. He went so far as to suggest that Ultra organizers could face criminal charges over the…
UPDATE: Medical examiner report showed that Adonis Peña Escoto passed away due to “acute alpha-Pyrrolidinopentiophenone (alpha-PVP) toxicity.” Alpha-PVP is a type of synthetic bath salt sometimes sold as “gravel.” A young Ultra attendee has died under mysterious circumstances. Adonis Escoto, 21, passed away in a car parked near the music…
Hey, Ravers … Arrested? Apprehended? Busted? Collared? Pinched? Just call the Law Offices of Chad Piotrowski. He’s a former state prosecutor and he’s giving away legal help to party people in need. “Did you get in trouble at Ultra? Do you need a criminal attorney?” he asks in a Vine…
Two days after a horrifying trampling incident that has city officials, including Mayor Tomás Regalado, calling for an end to Miami as host city of Ultra, the massive EDM festival carried on like, well, a massive EDM festival. Throughout Sunday afternoon, thousands of revelers — many in colorful body or…
Beat freaks dreaming about Ultra tix are usually shit outta luck for months before the fest even swings opens its kandi-covered gates. In 2011, UMF ran out of tickets with a full 34 days left until the festival was scheduled to get goin’. And the next year, Ultra passes disappeared…
The 305 helped invent modern dance music. In the late 1970s, Henry Stone’s TK Records, headquartered in Hialeah, pumped out disco hit after disco hit from KC and the Sunshine Band, even introducing the word booty into the pop lexicon. Today, Miami party music is still making asses shake. And…
No matter what you tell yourself, there is absolutely no way to catch every act you want to see at Ultra Music Festival. Our advice: Find a stage (or two) with lineups that you like and hang ’round till you’re ready to call it a night. Another piece of advice:…
Go, raver. Go, raver. Go. Chug a Red Bull. Down a vial of Five-Hour elixir. Pop a packet of Jelly Belly energy beans. The Winter Music Conference and Miami Music Week marathon starts now. And it doesn’t end till next month. Here are the 20 best parties during WMC and…
