Last year, it seemed you couldn’t go anywhere in Miami without seeing Dusky. Their busy schedule included a stop at Hard Miami, a surprise appearance at the inaugural Anjunadeep Party, and they even hosted their own headlining party that very same night. This year, they took a much different approach, only dropping in town for a night, but this time with a few more friends in tow.
Though house music was prevalent last year, it was nothing compared to WMC this year, where every party had at least a hint of those delicious beats. Still, if you truly loved house music, then there were few places where you’d never be disappointed, like at Treehouse right on South Beach. On Wednesday night, the Miami early birds gathered at this deep house watering hole for the sole performance from Nick Harriman and Alfie Granger-Howell. For those who had just landed that day, or simply those who were going out for the first time since arriving to this hazy city, conditions were right to groove.
I must say, Dusky’s list of “friends” is quite impressed. Agoria, Jackmaster, KiNK, and Murk split themselves between the two rooms to start the night, as the duo walked around saying hi to other acquaintances old and new. If you were fortunate enough to be there, then you probably caught glimpses of Tony McGuinness of Above & Beyond, Andrew Bayer, Maya Jane Coles, Arnej, and plenty more weaving through the party. In all honesty, Dusky’s “extended” set was too short, but this is coming from someone who was spoiled by a 4-hour marathon in New York just a few months back. Even so, any length of time proves to be enough for Dusky, who brought us all our favorite tunes from their new label 17 Steps like “YooHoo,” and “Akebono.” The crowd was both respectful and rowdy, doing their best to keep off their phones and out of each other’s way. In terms of quality vibes, Dusky & Friends was easily a high point, especially since I stayed until the end. While Dusky handed the reigns to the legendary Brit Skream, Danny Daze closed out the other room, refusing to quit even after the lights came on. It took a security guard’s multiple threats before Danny Daze finally let off, much to the dismay of the crowd, just after 5am. As Skream and his crew spilled over, talks of breakfast, more whiskey, and a cloud of cigarette smoke lingered in the air, ending the perfect first night in Miami.
Dusky & their friends may be gone, but they’ll be back! Catch Nick & Al in Chicago at Spring Awakening next month, Skream at Coachella, and then once more with Jackmaster at The Mid on April 17.