III Points and the Three Rules to Hosting a Music Festival [Event Review]

It sucks whenever you get up the following day again at dwelling after a music competition.

Picture this.

You coordinated with preferrred mates to get off work early, what units to see, and who the designated driver will likely be each evening. Then you get there. Past the safety and the doorway, you begin to see eye-popping trend you gained’t see wherever else. You hear a number of the smaller phases enjoying a music you’ve by no means heard earlier than however that may meet up with you by Day 2. You begin to discover this multi-million greenback playground constructed in your look.

Right as you begin dancing to the primary set, the time begins to cross. And then, you’re dwelling in your mattress. It’s over. You’re sore and pondering of calling off from work tomorrow. The day after the music competition appears like a real loss. You knew it was a fleeting second, nevertheless it felt like the largest factor you probably did this yr. You noticed your favourite musicians and artists in a single place in a scenic place. And now you possibly can’t return.

That’s what a tremendous music competition does. It makes you depressed you’re nonetheless not there the following day.

That’s what III Points pulled off this previous weekend.

Across final Friday and Saturday, the music and humanities competition pulled off its smoothest iteration in current reminiscence. This has to do with three key components.

1.) Artist Curation

The lineup this yr was extra closely digital than earlier years. Whether large headliners or the opening acts, most of the musical expertise at III Points 2022 had some incorporation of electronica of their artwork. For instance, LCD Soundsystem headlined with divine renditions of hits from throughout their discography. From “Daft Punk is Playing in My House” and James Murphy riffing on the drums to a surprising take of “You Wanted a Hit,” every music had its rock edge laced with synthesized sounds. This similarity in soundscape allowed a variety of varied acts current to be extra viscerally related than beforehand thought.

The venue competition additionally carried 11 totally different phases. That’s how III Points was capable of have one stage with Tycho with a sundown slot, Joji taking rest room breaks mid-set (in jest), and Rosalia serving an earthshattering set, whereas nonetheless having the ability to catch techno legends like Orbital, producers like Kenny Beats, and bands like La Femme with out being misplaced within the literal noise. Even phases that had classically been devoted to at least one style hastily had overhauls and inclusions of artists of varied kinds. The RC Cola stage on Saturday definitely did this with a curated lineup from Black Coffee that included himself, Busta Rhymes, Moscoman, and extra. They might not usually stream collectively at different festivals. But at III Points, these acts definitely do.

Meanwhile, the set instances have been additionally arrange brilliantly. For one, a number of phases together with the primary stage often called Mind Melt had somewhat giant gaps between every set. This allowed a few issues to occur. Festival goers may freely meander wherever with much less anxiousness about returning in time for the following headliner. Meanwhile, smaller phases had the chance to honeypot potential listeners with surprising gems. While strolling from the Mind Melt stage (primary) over to the RC Cola stage, there was a DJ set-up close to the loos the place the DJ was dropping the heaviest techno. This occurred round noon on the primary day of the competition and it could have been Winter Wrong or Generous B. Either approach, operating into some sort of engaging, concentrated vibe was the norm at III Points.

2.) Vendors, Utilities and Activities

Aside from the musical acts, III Points outdid themselves in different departments too. There was a big assortment of meals stations, merchandise, and bars with out the fear of lengthy traces that would sacrifice time at any of the phases. Utility-wise, the venue additionally had a good arrange of restrooms for the final admission and the VIP, quick access to the free water, and a transparent presence of medical workers and regulation enforcement.

Activity-wise is the place issues get a bit extra attention-grabbing. There was a mini-replica of Downtown Miami’s cityscape. The inflatable mannequin was simply the precise measurement to take nice pictures pretending to be Godzilla. There was additionally a limousine parked in one of many solely inside sections of the competition. Around it have been two bouncers, a crimson carpet, and velvet rope boundaries. Inside have been a gaggle of individuals having the time of their lives laughing and smiling. I wasn’t fairly positive if this was a particular five-figure costing VIP possibility or if it was an artwork set up with very devoted actors. Either approach, it appeared cool as hell.

But arguably and by far probably the most wonderful aspect of the night was the Skate Park. Next to the Mind Melt and Outer Space phases was the constructing advanced referred to as Mana Wynwood. There, III Points organized a roller-skating rink with a tower DJ sales space within the center. They even had assistive units for novices that appeared like PVC-made walkers however on wheels. This allowed friends who’ve by no means skated however wished to strive an opportunity to provide it a shot with a model of coaching wheels. It’s one thing I can’t consider some other music competition internet hosting or having.

3.) A Little Luck

Some components of a great competition are exterior the management of the occasion organizers. They can swing in a approach that may completely detract from or break an occasion. In different instances, situations can journey so easily that it elevates the expertise from terrific to divine. Sometimes, just a little luck goes a good distance.

For instance, the climate was good. The well-known Miami humidity wasn’t going wherever, however the temperature was cool between mid 70s and low 60s (a South Florida rarity even in late October). Past years have confronted heavy rain or been cancelled as a consequence of encroaching hurricanes. And though this iteration of III Points nonetheless had some rain, it was akin to drizzling that felt extra refreshing than the rest in comparison with the torrential downpour of the yr prior.

Meanwhile the group was extremely relaxed and pleasant. Some music festivals can have hyper and immature audiences, particularly when sure lineups contribute to overcrowding and claustrophobic situations. None of those points have been an issue at III Points.

Two units come to thoughts that spotlight this. At Sector 3, the Marias performed a set that amassed a pretty big crowd spilling into the road on Day 1. But somewhat than bunch up, a lot of the followers discovered a comfortable spot, sipped their beers and swayed to their indie pop cadence. Meanwhile, Overmono commanded the Main Frame stage with a extra sturdy and dense crowd. But even this crowd was simply navigable compared to different exhibits hosted in the identical area all through the years.

III Points is sort of 10 years previous at this level. It grew out of a necessity from the group to see the sort of acts you wouldn’t simply see at Ultra Music Festival or Rolling Loud. Since then it has develop into one in all South Florida must-attend occasions and this yr continues to solidify that reality. With an impeccable lineup that delivered, excellent group, and every part else falling in the precise place, III Points in all probability had its greatest yr but.

See you subsequent yr.

All pictures by Adinayev