Miami Music Week offers a diversity of experiences for dance music lovers. There’s bottle service galore pool parties in South Beach, massive Ultra Music Festival at Bayfront Park and countless warehouse parties in Wynwood. Then there’s Get Lost Miami, a 24-hour circus celebration of house and techno at the border of Miami and Hialeah – close yet far from all the more commercial offerings, in every way, shape and form.
Damian Lazarus‘ 15th session of Get Lost came to life at Factory Town from 5 a.m. Saturday, March 26, to 5 a.m. Sunday. It was billed as “fit only for the world’s most hardcore party people” and it’s true. The festival booked more than 70 artists across five stages. The stages were packed with talent and attendees around the clock, whether at midday or midnight. At Get Lost, you lost a sense of time and gained an elevated experience with music.
The Music
As many music week events were ending, Get Lost commenced at 5 a.m. with a special Detroit meeting of the minds. Seth Troxler and Carl Craig started the celebration with a back-to-back in the darkness of the Time Tunnel stage, finishing their two-and-a-half hour set just as day broke. Fans who stayed into Nick Warren‘s b2b with a secret guest wouldn’t know it was bright outside. Hot Since 82 kept the vibes on high at 10:30 a.m., followed by Felix da Housecat.
There was no slowing down at the Time Tunnel stage, with MK coming on at 4 p.m., Gorgon City at 5:30 p.m., Mathame at 7 p.m., and Dubfire at 8:30 p.m. We feel for attendees who wanted to catch a break, because the intensity continued with Danny Tenaglia at 10 p.m., Nicole Moudaber b2b Sama’ Abdulhadi at midnight, Maceo Plex at 1:30 a.m., and Carl Craig returning for a b2b with Luciano at 3 a.m. to close.
Stacked Lineup
That was just one stage. Programming also started at 5 a.m. at the House of Freaks stage, with Danny Daze. It also hosted Audiojack b2b Kevin Knapp at 1:30 p.m., DJ Tennis b2b Carlita at 7:30 p.m., and Audiofly at 12:30 a.m., among other artists.
A few other stages came to life later, but were no less stacked. The Sunshine Alley stage ignited with Desert Hearts co-producers Mikey Lion, Lee Reynolds, Marbs and Porky at 8 a.m. Soul Clap played at 2:30 p.m., Doc Martin b2b Joeski b2b Harry Romero at 11 p.m., and Serge Devant from 3:30 a.m. until close.
The Carnival of Souls was the last stage to kick off at 3 p.m. It brought Major Lazer Soundsystem at 9 p.m. with Diplo spinning a deep and soulful Ampiano set for the first time in the US. Dennis Cruz came on b2b a secret guest at 10:30 p.m., Art Department at midnight, and Bedouin at 1:30 a.m. The Get Lost creator himself, Lazarus, closed it out with a two-hour set.
The Venue
Get Lost featured five stages across the cluster of buildings that form the industrial venue. Carnival of Souls was considered the main stage. Two other stages were indoor, the Time Tunnel and House of Freaks. The Sunshine Alley was outdoor, with some artfully designed huts providing shelter from the Florida sun. The Engine Room, in gear from 2 p.m. to close, had turntables creatively set up in a building behind jail-looking bars. Amalgamation Sound System featuring Jonny Rock and special guests made it a vibe.
Yes, it was a circus theme with performers and other carefully crafted details. There were also massages, fresh coconut drinks and local foods to sustain hardcore music lovers for hours on end. But all attendees had re-entry – which was only human to utilize.
The People
Get Lost attracted real lovers of the underground sound. People were often lost in their own worlds, united only by the constant driving beat. But they were also chill, open to conversation and generous. They shared water to keep each other hydrated and sunscreen to prevent burning. It was, in a sense, a 24-hour mini city. And some artists acted as members of the community, too. Mikey Lion, Lee Reynolds and Marbs were dancing among the crowd after their set, at the House of Freaks.
Get Lost organizers wrote on social media:
“An unforgettable 24h of pure joy at Factory Town over the weekend. Thank you to everyone who joined our crazy circus and all the artists, staff and performers who orchestrated it.”
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re exclusively in the underground scene or occasionally wander into the house and techno scene, Get Lost is an experience you have to immerse yourself in, at least once in your lifetime.
For those who can’t wait until next March, the next edition of Get Lost, an Off Sonar celebration, takes place in Barcelona on June 17. Purchase tickets here.
