- Crosstown Rebels' Get Lost has emerged as one of Miami's go-to parties, reveling in a vibe that is simultaneously laidback and cutting-edge. While the event is a must on many itineraries, on some level it also feels just like a really large grill party in someone's backyard, which is more or less the case. Sunday School for Degenerates used to hold this position, but since it's moved to the Ice Palace the School has become more of a mini-festival unto itself, with ticket and drink prices to match, and felt as likely to induce festival fatigue as it did catharsis. Get Lost in contrast was rollicking, unpretentious fun.
The sixth installment of the party took place towards the end of that Miami non-conference, whatever it was called, Not-the-WMC Week, Miami Ultra Week, Miami Music Week. Regardless of what you called it, it's clear that Sunday School-Get Lost forms an important axis during the final weekend in Miami, with Get Lost offering a chilled-out respite from the School's extravaganza. Down at the Pickle a number of breakout stars from 2010 were on hand that long, long Saturday, including Art Department, Deniz Kurtel and Dyed Soundorom and a number of artists tipped for 2011 as well.
Photo credit: Max Oppenheim
Guti, whose Crosstown twelve-inch with Dubshape "Every Cow Has a Bird" has earned plenty of acclaim, played early on as the venue filled up, offering up a promising set that mixed some techier tracks with more laidback and melodic work. Two sets with live vocals stood out: Subb-an and singer Beckford delivered a high-energy dose of tech house early on and the heavily-tipped Maceo Plex pulled off a one-man-band show, spinning and singing while the party was at full afternoon roar.
Get Lost feels very well-suited for the Pickle, a venue which remained an oddly divisive topic of conversation during the week, earning adoration and disgust in equal measure. It's true that the place is a bit of anomaly in the Miami club scene, and that anyone in attendance looking for bling and bottle service will come away scratching their heads, wondering why they just partied in a back lot. For the clubgoer accustomed to no-frills, however—the sort of vibe more characteristic of parties in places like Brooklyn and Berlin—the Pickle will feel quite accommodating. To be honest, it's no more gritty than any Berlin spot, and unlike most venues in the German capital, the Pickle actually has an ATM.