Post
by pandabear » Mon Mar 30, 2009 10:24 pm
ViRAM:
***Copy and pasted from blog. Sorry, don't have time to edit cos my readers (read: family and friends) want to know EVERYTHING.***
I took the bus to Downtown Miami for ViRAM. I had to get dropped off 3 blocks from the venue and it was by far, the scariest walk I've ever had. As I got off the bus, I saw some homeless people (mostly men, and sober-looking) scattered in the area. The area wasn't well-lit. I turned on 1st Ave and I saw more homeless people and a Rescue Mission Center. I told myself, "shit, I'm in a ghetto neighborhood". I have two blocks to go and I don't see a crowd of people as far as my eyes can see but within 50 meters, I see 7 guys hanging out in front of what looked like a run-down apartment building. They were all wearing red, one's smoking weed in the street with his shirt off. I began to panic. As I walked by them, the guy in the street kinda blocked the sidewalk and he was like, "How's it going, Miss". I wanted to cry, my heart stopped beating. The other guys also said the same thing. I tried not to look scared and I just said, "Doing good, how's it going". Smiled and kept going. I wanted to run when I passed them but I just kept walking. Then I saw the venue and people in line. I wanted to cry more. I'm safe.
The party. They started letting people in at 10 pm. When I checked the setlist posted inside, Ewun's time was from 8-9. I was pissed off! I planned to see him, Evol Intent, Noisia, Ed Rush & Optical, Andy C, and Chase & Status. I tried to go during their sets but they were running behind. So I stayed mainly in the Dubstep "room" which was outside, thank god! It was a good show but I liked London Bass better because it was more intimate despite some of the crowd giving off bad vibe. Skream and Benga were on the decks back to back, then Mala, then Infiltrata/12th Planet, then Plastician. I saw most of their sets but I went in and out of the dubstep room to the drum and bass room. Caught some of Chase & Status and DJ Bailey. I didn't mind not seeing the rest because I am going to see Ed Rush & Optical and Andy C at another party. I loved Mala's set. Can't get enough of it. I definitely enjoyed Plastician's set even if I was dead tired already. I saw **** and ** again so I asked if they can give me a ride to the main bus station but they said they'll take me to the hostel after we watch the sunrise. Fun!
Overall, ViRAM was all I expected. Huge. Different crowds. Good vibe in the dubstep room I think mostly because there were different kinds of people there. It most likely opened dubstep to a lot of people but I don't know if there are newly converted bassheads. We left around 6ish, went straight to Nikki Beach until 8ish. It was cloudy and by the time the clouds parted, the sun was already up. Slept for a couple of hours and couldn't sleep anymore cos it's too bright and my cortisol is already stimulated. With my eye mask, I think I got 1 1/2 hours more but it didn't get to 6-7 hours. As usual, my body aches all over cos of dancing but I loved every single part of it.
Just heads up if people are gonna go to any show in this venue next year, there's a water fountain inside by the drum and bass entrance. Much colder than the water they sell for $5 +tips.