Axtone Pool Party Lights Up the Surfcomber

Axtone Pool Party at the Surfcomber Hotel

I didn’t know what to expect when I was tasked with covering the Axtone Pool Party at the Surfcomber South Beach for Miami.com. I like the occasional breezy dance track, but I’m by no means a rabid dance music fan. After all, the prospect of spending an entire day listening to window-rattling bass while tipsy, half-naked people pranced around me was a little intimidating. But after spending 10 hours at the hottest pool party of the 2012 Winter Music Conference, I totally get it now.

The Surfcomber

Dance music, and events like these in particular, get somewhat of a bad rap. When you think huge dance party, your mind usually goes to alcohol and drugs and kids rolling out of their minds. While in some respects that may be true, what’s oftentimes forgotten by people outside the scene is the massive amount of creativity and work that’s behind both the music and the spectacle. When you have world famous DJs including Axwell (of Swedish House Mafia fame), Calvin Harris, Funkagenda, and Thomas Gold at the helm, it becomes vividly clear. I don’t think I would have appreciated that had I not attended the party.

Live tweeting the event was fun. I loved being a spectator to all the craziness. And Miami, named the vainest city in America, offers the perfect subjects, for whom hamming it up for the camera is second nature. I don’t know how many times I introduced myself and asked to take a picture of someone, and they already had a preset pose. Shoulders down. Back straight. Three-quarter profile. Hand on hip. Smile, but not too much.

The vibe at the Axtone Pool Party was light and fun, and I could see why you would want to spend $100+ for a ticket to listen to some of the best DJs, lounge by a spectacular pool, and hang out with your friends. It’s the perfect recipe for leaving your real life behind and just being whatever or whomever you want to be. Nobody asks any questions. You have no responsibilities. You’re there. You’re beautiful. And you’re gonna have a good time.

Spotted: Lots of hard-bodies in various states of undress.

Overheard: “Bro, you wanna go up to the room? You’re eyes look super small right now, it’s not even funny.” – Random Guy

Favorite Partier: Guy who danced like Michael Jackson while holding half a pitcher of mojito.

Favorite Song: “Feel So Close” by Calvin Harris – It was refreshing to hear music with actual vocals.

Favorite Set: Calvin Harris – It was great having a big name play in the mid-afternoon. He really picked up the crowd’s energy.

Favorite Surprise: Mark Knight and Funkagenda vs. Joy Division – “Love Will Tear Us Apart”

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