It was a notably dreary and windy day when I landed in Miami ahead of the 2024 III Points festival. Rain or shine, with a lineup featuring household names like Justice, Kaytranada, Disclosure and HorsegiirL, nothing could have stopped fans and ravers from all over traveling in to spend two nights in Wynwood, Miami’s coveted arts district.
I arrived to the venue at 9 p.m. on Friday night, already 6 hours into the festival. The energy was palpably high as people rushed around to catch their favorite acts. Eleven stages spanned across five blocks, with pockets of art exhibits and various brand pop-ups like Valentino Beauty and Electrolit sprinkled throughout. Around every corner it felt like there was something new that I hadn’t seen yet. Each stage was set with its own unique vibe, and subgenres of electronic music were blaring no matter where you walked. This was the epitome of a ravers playground where (nearly) anything goes.
Much of Friday revolved around the main stage, Mindmelt. I started the night off with Jungle, a wholesome entrance to an inevitable spiral. Following the release of the Volcano, Jungle stayed true to their tour circuit and played many of the songs off the album. With their analog warmth, you can’t attend a Jungle set without leaving in a good mood. The mix of their vibrant stage presence, the wind quite literally blowing 20 miles per hour, and Lydia Kitto’s vocals put me in a flow state that prepared me for the chaotic night to come as I headed to the next sets.
I then stumbled upon Elderbrook, who was performing live. At this point it was pouring rain, but I made it just in time to hear their iconic track “Cola” before I headed back to Mindmelt to see Kaytranada. As I was waiting for Kaytranada to hit the stage, I saw two ravers ordering food holding metal trays over their heads to avoid the rain. Sometimes you have to get creative in order to survive at festivals. Kaytranada’s set was exactly as imagined, filtering through his cult classics. Nonetheless, the energy was electric as he played both a mix of underground and more mainstream hits—songs the crowd could sing along to.
At this point, it was nearing 12 a.m., which meant I needed to speed up the BPM and go to the first true hyperpop dance music set of the night: HorsegiirL. The one thing you can expect with HorsegiirL is that you don’t know what to expect. When I arrived, she was mixing bops like “Milkshake” into her set. Mesmerizing visuals of horses galloping through the woods took over the screen behind her as she played “My Little White Pony.” The entire set was a whirlwind of chaotic yet captivating energy, and the crowd never stopped dancing, making it one of our favorite sets of the festival.
As I was heading back to Mindmelt, I noticed a “hot girls like techno” shirt and two guys wearing nothing but overalls. My favorite part of any festival, aside from the music, are the cast of characters that are drawn to these types of events.
I thought the rain had stopped, but once Disclosure hit the stage, it started raining again. The rain was no match for Disclosure’s upbeat set. Dancing in the rain to “She’s Gone, Dance On” made for the ultimate main character moment. What’s perfect about a Miami festival in October is the wind was warm enough to dry us off without feeling uncomfortable.
Saturday brought its own problems, not necessarily having to do with escaping the rain, but instead having to figure out how I could fit in seeing some of my favorite artists all in less than 24 hours. I started off with Soulwax who had a dynamic setup that included live instruments, synthesizers, and samples. Their set was a little bit moody, the perfect post-sunset performance to kick off the night. I then bounced around and found a new favorite, Prettygirl, who was playing a mix of “B.O.T.A.”
I continued on to Jamie xx, whose set was a masterclass in blending genres, effortlessly moving between deep house and atmospheric soundscapes. Jamie’s ability to create a sense of euphoria while maintaining a chill vibe kept the crowd mesmerized. Next, I made my way to Blond:ish, who had quite the infectious energy.
As I was heading back to catch Justice, Rick Ross snapped me back into a non-electronic reality as I heard “You The Boss” playing live in the distance. He uplifted the crowd, helping me manifest my dream of becoming a millionaire, repeatedly yelling, “Everyone make some noise if you’re gonna be a millionaire!”
Escaping the trenches of mediocrity, Justice showcased the power of combining visuals and audio to elevate live performances. The French duo stood out as the highlight of the entire festival, with their ingenious visual centrepiece perfectly complementing their sound, immersing the crowd on both audio and visual sensory levels. They seamlessly, yet subtly, wove in vocals from their recently released track “Neverender” throughout the majority of their set, without it feeling repetitive. Not to mention, there’s no overlooking the mix in of “D.A.N.C.E.” Since its release in 2007, it has remained a timeless staple in the world of electronic music.
Mall Grab was the last set for me before I decided to surrender to exhaustion. It was 3 a.m., and the dark, moody lo-fi sounds started to blend into a homogenous mix, signaling the end of my time at III Points.
III Points felt like the perfect ending to outdoor rave season. The vibrant outfits, dancing, and a collective desire to be present is exactly what makes us, as a community of dancers, addicted to these events. Festivals and music unite people from all walks of life, and I had the chance to connect with fans who traveled from New York, Ohio, Oregon, Colorado, and even Puerto Rico. The tempestuous Miami weather was no match for the incredible energy of the festival. Finding community through music is something we often discuss at Broke, and this festival provided a beautiful culmination of that exact experience.