Best Vocal Performance:
Dawn Tallman. Attending the Let the Singer Be Heard is a top priority for any lover of live performers. Experiencing over 20 amazing live vocalists sing their best music to a loving crowd at Set, its difficult to choose a favorite. Dawn Tallman ended the night with an emotionally-charged acapella version of "You are Why." Looking incredibly glamorous in all white, you could feel the sincerity and power in her lyrics of the song dedicated to fans of house music, as well as Georgie and Barbara who organized/hosted the event. The performance ranks as one of the best I have ever been honored to expereience in the same class as DJs are Alive at IDMA 2006 and Jes at Billboard DMS 2006. Closing out the club at 5am, I can honestly the say the night was one of the best events I have ever attended in six years of WMC. If you were foolish enough to miss the event, make it a priority for next year.
(Close second) Emory, Charlotte Small, and Mitch Matlock freestyling about the rain with a live keyboardist to the tracks being played at Sexy Sounds (Marlin).
Musical trend:
Tech/electro is still majorly huge - but I forecast a new movement of
dance rock. By this, I don't mean rock bands doing dance music, I
mean electronic artists going in a rock direction. Keep your eyes out for Speakerbox and Fans of Jimmy Century.
The honorary "Barbara Tucker" hardest working diva award:
Ultra Nate - she was everywhere this year. Walking down Collins the
first day, I heard her singing "Free" and music from her new CD at a
poolside event. The next night, while sporting insanely rocking
eyelashes, she DJed the Tommy Boy Sunset Sessions at the Hotel Victor. It takes a lot to open for Bob Sinclar and as the Sugar crew already know, Ultra can bring it. In what can only be described as "drive-by diva," Ultra was talking to fans out of a SUV parked on 15th beween gigs. Not many can pull this off. The next night at 4am, while dancing to Ron Carroll's funky set at the BMC/Slaag party, I look up and its Ultra Nate dancing her ass off. Singer, dancer, DJ - Ultra Nate is a true all-around diva.
The honorary "Roger Sanchez" best dressed award:
David Guetta - it takes a lot of guts to pull off a lemon yellow/lime
green terry cloth track jacket..
(Close second) BT - Vibrant colors for a vibrant prodigy. Leana,
Erika Jayne - Both are supermodels in their own right.
Hardest working DJ award:
Three way tie for this. Starkillers (Nick Terranova), Fedde Le Grand, and Kaskade were booked at every event and on every flyer. If you are looking for a good booking agent - you know where to go.
Best VIP room:
Paul Van Dyk listening party at Sagamore. Ceviche and mojitos while
listening to PVD's forthcoming new CD (not out until August)? Can
you imagine anything more heavenly?
(Close second) Promo-Only IDMA Afterparty - the whole commercial
American dance music industry in two suites on the 18th floor of hotel - probably the best networking experience of the week.
Best fashion trend:
Artists and DJs rocking gear from new designers and labels - 55DSL, 3J Workshop, Artful Dodger, Onitsuka Tiger, Stashhouse, American Mutt, Custo Barcelona, Mavi..
(Close second) The absence of Von Douche
Worst fashion trend:
Skulls on everything. T-shirts, jackets, jeans - bedazzled or
embroidered - the ubilquitous window display in every store on
Washington Avenue
Best commercial placement:
Walking down the street "With My Nikes On," the new single by Ron
Carroll sounds like it could be their new commercial campaign. A damn catchy song as well.
Beverage of the week:
The dance community is known for partying to excess yet the beverage I saw in just about everybody's hand was VitaminWater. With many colors and flavors, the bottles were very visible throughout the week. Maybe everyone is trying to be healthy after staying out really late? VitaminWater seemed to be the choice for everyone on the walk from home from the club.
(Close second) Red Bull - the original. Don't fall for the cheap knockoffs that some clubs try to hoist on you.
Worst annoyance:
The weather. Random bits of rain threatened several daytime events as did wind gusts. Is it time to take Al Gore and the climate change thing seriously?
(Close second) Overcrowded rooms with Fire Marshalls controlling entry. I guess they would be the 2007 remix of the sound police from two years ago.
