Another one for the books: Top 5 Highlights of WMC 2010

Lee Burridge says it all at Sunday School.

Photo courtesy of Igor Odovic, Made Event.

"The excitement for WMC is now replaced by a frenzied blur of memories - late night ventures along Ocean Drive, seedy dark rooms and glittering disco balls, sunrises with strangers, littered bathrooms, cheap sunglasses, coked up bartenders, bag-eyed DJs and whiskey breakfasts..."

The wave of anticipation towards WMC dwindled down as quickly as it was over, the dance music gathering of the year already in the shadow of other hypes – DEMF, Mutek and other spurts of spring festivals. The excitement for Conference is now replaced by a frenzied blur of memories - late night ventures along Ocean Drive, seedy dark rooms and glittering disco balls, sunrises with strangers, littered bathrooms, cheap sunglasses, coked up bartenders, bag-eyed DJs and whiskey breakfasts. It was an adventure to say the least – it always is. And even though I’m still catching up on the loss of shut-eye and begging my ears for forgiveness from the overdose of throbbing subwoofers, it was worth it to be spoiled...if you picked the right parties, of course. Here’s the final report of highlights, sealed with approval by your Trusted Board of Good Taste…

5. Hot Natured – This wasn’t nearly as magical as the party’s 2009 debut thanks to venue conflicts and cop-busts, but you have to give these guys a round of applause for fighting against the odds to throw down this Conference finale. After the party's shutdown, the remaining hopefuls were herded to downtown's Electric Pickle club to boogie the night away, with Jamie Jones and Lee Foss busting out classic goods from Shalamar to Chic. Who said disco sucks?

4. D25: Detroit Celebrates 25 Years – The jackpot D25 crew kicked off their tour for an all-night event featuring exclusive sets from the finest of Motor City’s crop (Carl Craig, Juan Atkins, Stacey Pollen, Moodymann, Monty Luke, Kyle Hall, Theo Parrish…and more). The poolside volume restriction was unfortunately not in their favor, but I guess that’s why it’s worth the pilgrimage to DEMF to see those cats go hi-fi.

3. Balance 016 Album Release Party - The morning rain may have delayed the party by a few hours but it didn’t dampen the energy and excellent sets that ensued. Listed residents and Balance starlets pounded out set after set of fun and layered tech house sets that had both sides of the two-part rooftop packed.

2. Pink Mammoth Marathon – The lobby of the Catalina may have emptied out by the time I arrived to this party but it certainly proved a packed dance floor isn’t a staple requirement for a good party. At the end of the day, it’s about good people and good music. Check and check. Line up included sets by PM residents, Sydney’s Random Soul duo and Get Physical’s label boss, DJ T.

1. Sunday School for Degenerates – hands down the best party. The rain kindly skipped over us this year and the place was abuzz with good energy and refreshing music, thanks to the hand-picked line up of Sunday School veterans and new DJs. All the acts I caught were brilliant – the spiraling techno set by Mathias Kaden, Tom Middelton’s diverse set that schooled the school, Dial’s house-man-of-the-moment, Pawel who dropped a face-melting live set (he sang too) and then of course, the unmatched tag-team set by power-duo, Lee Burridge and Danny Howells. Wow is the word. Check out pictures courtesy of Igor Odovic of Made Event.