Miami, Australia and the UK

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Now in its 23rd year, the Winter Music Conference in Miami is the essential destination for anyone who has an interest in dance and electronic music. Fans, musicians, producers, established DJs and wannabees head to Miami Beach to talk, listen, network, spin, rub shoulders or just dance to the music that comes at you from every bar, club and venue around town. You need to register to enjoy all the goodies that  Winter Music Conference has to offer and its not cheap – but if dance music is your thing or you want it to be your thing, it’ll be money well spent.

KCRW’s own Jason Bentley will on a panel called The Producers Forum with Paul Van Dyk and other music biz luminaries.  If your budget won’t stretch to be a delegate you can always just lay on the beach , gaze at the exquisite turquoise  sea while listening to your fave tunes on your I Pod – the choice is yours – but just to whet your appetite here are some of the DJs that will be there ….

Danny Tenaglia, Justice, Underworld, Pete Tong, Photek, Benny Benassi and Calvin Harris  –KCRW’s own Jason Bentley will on a panel at the Winter Music Conference so it you see him there, say ‘Hello!’.

Perhaps the hedonism of Miami beach is not your thing but traditional folk music is? Then head to Hampshire in the UK for the Gosport and Fareham Easter Festival. As one of the largest folk events
in merry olde England, it takes place over 5 days in various venues around these twin towns over the bank holiday Easter Weekend.

Artists on the bill this year include Irish singer songwriter Luka Bloom, the much lauded Flook and Oysterband - who will be celebrating 30 years of music making this year.

There’s also workshops, Dance Displays,  a late night festival club and the all important Craft Fayre – spelt F A Y R E just in case you are in any doubt about the fact you are attending a  bone fide traditional folk event.

Also taking place on the Easter weekend but on the other side of the planet to the UK is Bluesfest – held at the most eastern point of Australia in beautiful Byron Bay. The area has long been popular with surfers, backpackers and hippies thanks to its temperate climbs and laid back atmosphere.

Artists on the bill include Keb Mo, Sinead O'Connor, KT Tunstall, Maceo Parker, Eskimo Joe, and Mavis Staples as well as being eco friendly, Bluesfest donates to a number of well deserving charities – both local and international. So if you fancy enjoying great music while doing your bit for others less fortunate than yourself,  pack your best tie dyes and head to Byron Bay.

Don’t forget to check out KCRW’s coverage of SXSW – we’ll be broadcasting ‘Morning Becomes Eclectic’ live  from Austin – featuring the US radio debut of UK singer Duffy as well as photos, video, blogs, audio diaries and more from the KCRW crew. Check it all out at KCRW.com/SXSW.

That’s it for another edition of The Global Gig Guide. If you want to hear it again you can download it as a podcast on KCRW.com or I Tunes.
 
Otherwise check back with us next week for more information on Global Gigging.

The Global Gig Guide is produced for KCRW.com by JC Swiatek and the theme music is composed by The Plush Interiors.

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