Art Basel Miami 2024 truly offered a wild and unforgettable experience. From the very beginning to the very end, every moment was filled with excitement and wonder. Whether it was sipping cocktails under the stars or getting lost in the grooves at various venues, this week was a treasure trove of memories. Here is how my adventure through Art Basel unfolded...

Unforgettable Moments at Art Basel Miami 2024

Thursday: Art Meets Music At ‘The Deck’ & Factory Town

My Art Basel journey kicked off with The Miami Guide's party at The Deck Island Gardens. The event was flawlessly executed, providing complimentary canapés and drink tokens along with breathtaking skyline views. The live art and painting sessions were a standout, with artists like Yas Cohen and IC3Y showcasing their exceptional talents. A live DJ and musicians, including an outstanding saxophonist, enhanced the sonic ambiance, setting a fantastic tone for Art Basel.Later that night, Factory Town took things to a whole new level. Stage takeovers by GOLFOS (Dennis Cruz B2B PAWSA), Mayan Warrior, Eastenderz, Seth Troxler B2B Victor Calderone and friends at the new ‘Chains Stage’ were nothing short of amazing. Usually, at multi-stage venues, one might bounce around between stages, but on Thursday, every act at every stage delivered a top-tier set. Walking by each stage, it was impossible to resist getting sucked in for at least 30 minutes before moving on. The fear of missing out (FOMO) was always at the back of one's mind, but once at another stage, that FOMO would disappear instantly.We started the night at Mayan Warrior at the Park stage with DESIREE, whose set was truly remarkable and has now made her 100% on my radar. Then, we got trapped in the best way possible at The Chains stage for Seth Troxler B2B Victor Calderone. These two veterans erased any sense of time, and before we knew it, two hours had passed.Next, it was off to the Eastenderz takeover at the Cypress End stage. East End Dubs unleashed a wave of groovy house anthems, followed by Josh Baker, who was the shock of Art Basel night one and took gold as the best set at Factory Town on Thursday night (with Seth and Victor closely behind).Securing the bronze spot was Ben Sterling and Carlita going back to back for Mayan Warrior. Their combined signature sounds and mixing styles perfectly matched the insanely detailed and beautifully designed stage.We closed out the morning at GOLFOS, who reigned in the sunrise with chart-topping minimal hits like PAWSA’s “Dirty Cash (Money Talks),” leaving everyone singing along.

Friday: From Cyclops Cove To Afro House

I began Friday by cruising north to Boca Raton for the third edition of Subtronics’ iconic bass music festival, Cyclops Cove. Although not an “official” Miami Art Basel event, it was definitely worth diving into for any ravers.I was lucky to arrive just in time to hear Steller's recent track “FUNKSTEP!” and her latest anthem with Jessy Covets “Chasing Butterflies” at the mainstage. Her fusion of funk and wubz was uplifting and perfectly complemented her colorful visuals.Steller was followed by VEIL B2B Khiva, who blessed the crowd with a blend of all corners of bass music, opening their set with a lethal ID that had us roaring.Rusko threw down a barrage of drum & bass and previewed a ton of upcoming music. His smiley psychedelic visuals fit his unshakable happy energy, and he was a mad man behind the decks, bringing an unrivaled intensity and bouncing across the stage in his socks.Shifting the vibes, Dirt Monkey ripped a house set that made him the standout performance from Day 1. It was as if his legendary wub-fueled signature sound collided with Dirtybird-styled underground house music.Although I wanted to see the headlining performances, it was time to drive back to Miami for Deep Root Tribe’s Afro House takeover at Toe Jam Backlot, headlined by the label’s founder Francis Mercier. This venue is incredibly immersive, filled with palm trees, Tiki Huts, and other features that capture the Miami vibe. They had a cool room with a ton of mini-art canvases, each unique and affordable at $25 a piece. At the main-stage, Francis Mercier played a percussion-packed extended set full of Afro House heaters like his remix of “Yamore.”

Saturday: Rest & RESISTANCE

Saturday was mostly spent resting the legs and getting ready for the rest of the Art Basel weekend. As midnight approached, we headed to M2. When it comes to performers, lighting and visual production, sound quality, and global DJ talent, M2 has become my favorite club not only in Miami but on the entire East Coast.Sandwiched between sets from top-notch selectors Sam Shure and Denis Horvat, Mind Against headlined this special Art Basel show hosted by Ultra’s RESISTANCE. As I mentioned, M2 combines so many elements to create a one-of-a-kind experience for attendees. World-class dancers and acrobats wore futuristic helmets with their own lighting displays.Bright green lasers shot across the club as Mind Against put on a masterclass in taking their audience on a journey across underground techno and house. Highlights from their set included a mesmerizing edit of RÜFÜS DU SOL’s “Break My Love.”

Sunday: Cyclops Cove Finale & Factory Town Magic

On Sunday, it was back to Boca for Day 3 of Cyclops Cove 3. Before diving into my favorite performances, I'd like to sponsor my favorite vendor at the festival, Daytripper. What makes this rising fashion brand special is that many of its options are also great for everyday wear. As a movie and cinema lover, I went with the purple and pink tie-dye shirt themed around Jurassic Park.Daytripper embodies unique, USA-made apparel, empowering ravers and customers to embrace their individuality and roots. Committed to sustainability, the brand uses recycled fabrics and ethical practices to combat pollution in the fashion industry. Every piece is handcrafted with care, from cutting and sewing to artwork, ensuring one-of-a-kind designs and sweatshop-free production. Along with the shirt, they had a wide selection of sweatshirts, pashminas, hats, fans, sunglasses, and more.While there were many outstanding performances throughout the weekend, the crown has to go to Tape B, who showed out for his home crowd in an incredible way. With his high school just five minutes away from the venue, Tape B threw down a melting pot of bass-fueled edits, spine-tingling IDs, and wubbed-out flips from his own catalog. My favorite track was an unreleased Levity edit of “Sweet Dreams” that left the crowds in awe. Of course, there were also a ton of remixes that bridged rap, hip-hop, and wubs.Heading over from Tape B’s set to the second stage for a Wubaholics takeover, we made it just in time to see Evalution close out his performance in remarkable fashion. He played some anthems from his brand-new EP, Press Play, that dropped this past Friday on WAKAAN. He also mixed in some classic rock meets new-age bass edits that had the crowd roaring.Next up was Gunpoint, a sleeper pick that I was highly recommended to see. I had already heard a lot of great buzz about his project, but after experiencing his set live, I was embarrassed not to be more familiar with his music. From the opening track, it was clear that Gunpoint was serious and took full control over the crowd, wreaking havoc with bone-shattering riddim and dubstep. He guided us into a pit of bass-powered chaos, which even sparked a literal pit where many ravers moshed throughout the set. It's safe to say I won't miss a Gunpoint set the next time I get the chance.Unfortunately, like Friday, my time at Cyclops Sunday was cut short, and I headed back to Miami to finish Art Basel at Factory Town. We split our time between Elrow, the new Chains stage, and Infinity Room. At Elrow, confetti rained down while thumping tech house basslines filled the Park stage.ChaseWest ripped a banger of a set at the Chains stage. His song selection was on point, and it was impossible to stand still.We capped the weekend off by witnessing the final hour and a half of Adriatique’s extended set. The crowd was beyond thrilled when Jon George from RÜFÜS DU SOL made an appearance. As the sun rose, this globally renowned duo played their unreal unreleased melodic techno remix of “In the Moment” from RÜFÜS DU SOL’s new album, along with a dreamy edit of “Lately.” Coupled with beautiful visuals, it was a truly magical ending to my first Art Basel.