We Belong Here Takes Over the DuPont Building for New Year's Eve

Best known for its March boutique music festival at Virginia Key Beach Park, We Belong Here is returning to Miami for New Year's Eve for another intimate party experience.

For a second time, dance music will radiate throughout the Alfred I. duPont Building downtown, starting at 9 p.m. and rolling through sunrise.

"With every event we organize, the location is so important," Justin Dauman, cofounder of We Belong Here, tells New Times. "We found our beautiful beach where we get creative in March, and the DuPont Building is just so beautiful in its own way. To have performances in a setting like this is rare, and, at the same time, we'll certainly have our own ways of getting creative, too."

There will be two stages with 19 performers, ranging from local DJs to globetrotting producers. Highlights on the main stage include sets from Calussa, Purple, and Benjamin Lloyd and a unique live-instrument-infused set from Mojave Grey. Ina Nia, Mary Jane, and Peace Control round out the lineup. Part of the main stage's allure is its proximity to floor-to-ceiling windows, where attendees can watch the first sunrise of the new year.
There is also a vault stage. Yes, performances will happen inside the building's former bank vault. "Soundproofing that room is a very important part of the whole experience, with so much potential for echo," Dauman adds. We'll be getting our sound team in there a full day in advance to ensure our acoustics are set up right and we nail it."

An immersive art installation focused on the past, present, and future will round out the experience. There will also be photo moments, a premium bar, and late-night food offerings. Guests are encouraged to dress to impress.

Last year's festival attracted approximately 1,500 patrons throughout the evening, and Dauman expects a similar attendance this year. Based on feedback, the biggest change from last year will be the bathroom setup. For those who experienced longer waits last year, Dauman says, "We've gotten all the right permits to add bathroom trailers outside the venue, too. There will be a ton of bathrooms."

Looking ahead to March's festival, the fourth annual We Belong Here, at Virginia Key Beach Park, Dauman isn't quite ready to make an artist announcement, promising a mix of returning and new big-name acts. "There will be a re-imagination of the main stage area in terms of the lighting, perimeter, and layout. It will be on a level that far surpasses our first three," he teases.

We Belong Here New Year's Eve Miami. 9 p.m. Tuesday, December 31, at the Alfred I. DuPont Building, 169 E. Flagler St., Miami; webelonghere.world. Tickets are $20 to $250 via posh.vip.