In times where mainstream music has taken control of worldwide celebrations, it’s gratifying to come by new concepts that break current tendencies and bring back the core elements that make festivals true musical experiences.
Rapture, a much-needed option during the Miami Music Week, delivered a proper edition in their first installment. The open-air event with a group of renowned DJ / Live acts, sharp sound systems in a beachfront unique location, gave some fresh air to a celebration that has lately been blurred by Art Basel Week.
In this first occasion, the festival’s organizers managed to gather some of the most important names in the ‘underground’ circuit over five different stages. Some of them sponsored by local crews like Speakerbox, Un_mute and Nomad, bringing their own sound, decoration and public.
With different top names like Diynamic’s first lady Magdalena, Miamians’s favorite Francesca Lombardo, Venezuelan duo Fur Coat, dub techno rising star Dewalta and many others, the festival took a positive direction around Miami’s unpredictable weather. With the appearance of some intense rain and strong winds, The Castaway & Soundgarden and Flying Circus stages were well covered and gave us the chance to weather the storm.
It was hard to pick a top selection from the different options and sets we witnessed that day, but we did our best to be true to innovation, crowd management, music style and overall vibes.
Photos courtesy of ValtersBoze.com for Rapture Festival 2017
1) M.A.N.F.L.Y. : Maybe the best set we listened all week and definitely one to be remembered. Audiofly and M.A.N.D.Y. delivered a symphony of tunes packed with sounds and melodies bringing their flying circus to its full glory.
2) tINI
Just before the night arrived German DJ tINI played an intimate and engaging almost-all vinyl dub techno session with minimal vibes, perfectly preparing the Un_mute dancefloor for Romanian heroes, Petre Inspirescu and Rhadoo.
3) Guy J & Hernan Cattaneo
The Argentinean progressive maestro Hernan Cattaneo and his young padawan Guy J finished things off like true heavyweights at the Castaway & Soundgarden stage with a 4-hour session of progressive bliss.
4) Carl Craig
Mr. Carl Craig showed us one more time his mixing and performance skills, playing a mind-blowing set packed with pure soul techno, showcasing Detroit’s urban sounds.
Other notable appearances: Matthew Dear, Henry Saiz, Ellen Alien, Andhim and Way Out West.
From the local crew we give big props to Kike Roldan, Atom Yard, Jason Rault, Puma & Harry, Lou Flores, and Baez, all delivering classy warm up sessions on their different music genres.
