Regrettably, I wasn’t able to make it to Miami this year for the 13th annual Ultra Music Festival. However, thanks to the power of the almighty Internet (all hail), I got you guys covered.

Sure I could tell you about the history making 150,000 dance-loving people that attended. I could tell you about the impeccable sun-drenched weather or how trashed Downtown Miami got. Conversely, these are useless statistics. Let me enlighten on what actually matters, the music.

Laidback Luke

LL has been killing it the past couple years. His track selection is pretty extraordinary; the man drops straight bangers for an hour.

Laidback Luke Live Set @Ultra Music Festival

Exclusive Miami Tracks:

Calvin Harris – You Used To Hold Me (Laidback Luke Remix
Laidback Luke – Jump Jump Dance 2.0(192kbps)

Avicii

This young Swede impresses me more and more every time I hear his sets. Hands down, Avicii is at the top of the game right now. If there’s one kid that knows how to make a progressive set, this is it.

Avicii Live Set @Ultra Music Festival

Kaskade

Ive never been a Kaskade fan, but hey… the bitches love it.

Kaskade Live Set @Ultra Music Festival

Afrojack

Dominating Ultra this year and possibly the best Dutch House DJ on the scene, Afrojack dropped it fat. Like Laidback Luke, Afrojack keeps you on your toes with banger after crazy banger. With the release of his new track, ‘Doing It Right’, Ajack’s future is looking bright.

Afrojack Live Set @Ultra Music Festival

Exclusive Miami Tracks:

Afrojack – Doing It Right

Other Shit Waiting To Be Released:

Skrillex – Equinox

Swedish House Mafia – Save The World Tonight

fun facts released from Miami:
• Carl Cox, Steve Lawler and Ferry Corsten played at an invite-only party at the Mokai. Did I mention only 200 people were invited? Talk about intimate.
• Kim Fai announced he’s working with Snoop Dogg on a new track. Also, house legend Roger Sanchez is working on dance material for 50 Cent.

Photo Cred: belTRON

With the success of Hard and Insomniac, low-key shows are about as rare as a stylish mullet. Nevertheless, once in a blue moon an inconspicuous event will emerge. Radius Fest took over San Diego last weekend with a two-night extravaganza at one of the sickest venues I’ve ever had the pleasure of shuffling in, the San Diego Air & Space Museum. Headliners included trance prodigy ‘Wippenberg’ and house legend ‘Avicii’. Our buddies in DJ Slander hooked it up with backstage passes for Friday. The Duo that is Derek and Scott destroyed the side stage with a solid set. Lots of fresh tracks on their tables, including Michael Wood’s ‘First Aid’ and Wolfgang Gartner’s ‘Space Junk’.

Radius had two picturesque stages of madness. The side stage took over the museum lobby; guests were welcomed with strobes, lasers and the Apollo 9 Command Module. The main stage was at the heart of the museum, directly underneath a massive 20,000-pound aircraft. To top it all off, the backdrop behind the decks was an AH-1 Cobra Attack Helicopter. ^^

Wippenberg (aka Olaf Dieckmann) is a German DJ and Producer. He’s toured the world and has been tearing up the trance scene for the past decade. Wippenberg opened for Avicii and I can honestly say, it was amazing. Sure, it wasn’t loud builds, heavy drops and constant jumping; but, that’s not what it’s about. As my taste for house music has grown over the years, I’ve never truly appreciated trance. I think the subtlety is what threw me off. That is, until I got my hands on Cosmic Gate’s Essential Mix. Speechless.

Wippenberg – Pong <-♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Wippenberg – Phoenix <-♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Avicii took over the decks and the crowd erupted. Probably the loudest any museum has ever gotten. Opening with Pryda’s ‘Glimma’, I knew I was in for a magnificent set. I’ve already witnessed Avicii in all his glory at Electric Daisy Carnival 10’, but he wasn’t spectacular. Since then, Avicii has produced some mind-blowing tracks such as ‘My Feelings For  You’ and ‘Penguin’, rightfully earning super stardom. This time around, Avicii delivered one of the greatest sets my feet have ever had the gratification of shuffling to. Avicii, tack så mycket!

Phonat – Set Me Free (Avicii Remix) <-♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Armin Van Buuren Ft Laura V – Drowning (Avicii Remix) <-♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Pryda – Glimma <-♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

All in all it was an impressive lineup at an epic venue, everything I wanted and more. Radius Fest was one for the history books!

– Chronic Mncher

Bonus

Cosmic Gate BBC Essential Mix 2/12/2011

Also, snag an exclusive DJ Slander mix here