Words by: Cameron Pazos
Images by: Hydee Muestelier
iii Points is Miami’s most eclectic and unique music festival. Founded in 2013 by a small group of individuals who were tired of the same mainstream lineups circulating the US, iii Points focuses on music, art, fashion, innovation, and creativity.
The lineup is meticulously curated to appease any attendee. From intimate live indie sets to ostentatious electronic rave scenes, iii Points has it all. If that wasn’t enough, the group also sets up satellite parties all throughout Miami for those who aren’t able to attend the event or for those wanting to keep the party going after the festival’s 4:00 a.m. closure. These events take place in scenes ranging from dive bars with a maximum capacity of 300 people to world-renowned clubs that host almost 2,000 people at a single point in time. An estimated 4,000 guests attended their debut year in 2013. This year, estimates are around tenfold, with an approximate audience of 40,000 people each night. This is a testament to the love and devotion of the festival’s curators and staff, as well as the community that contributes to this magical event’s success.
A total of 293 artists performed at the two-day festival on October 16th and 17th. Unfortunately, the technology to make 293 Cameron clones to see each set does not exist yet, but what I do have is the ability to prioritize sets and schedule out the night in a way that I could see as many artists as I possibly could. Friday was a slow burn that crescendoed in the shape of a bell curve, peaking at the middle of the night and simmering down towards the end. Saturday, on the other hand, was more consistent and offered greater sonic variety.
Friday began with some frantic jumping between sets. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony was my first destination. The classic 1990s hip-hop group out of Cleveland, OH are most notable for their Grammy-winning single Tha Crossroads. Stepping into the stage arena was like setting foot into a time machine and travelling to a period with TY Beanie Babies, Blockbuster Movie rental stores and a wondrous world without cell phones. As a 90s kid myself, I was taken aback by waves of nostalgia. It was like experiencing synesthesia; each musical note smelling like the scent of old parchment or feeling like the suppleness of a Furby’s acrylic fur.
Song: Tha Crossroads - Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
What came next was in stark contrast to the old-school hip-hop aesthetic presented by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. I found myself wandering into a disorderly sonic soundscape cultivated by the grooves of LA-based electronic artist Mary Droppinz. Way more than a teaspoon of sugar was put into her setlist. This relentless performance was characterized by heavy bass, UK garage, and classic dubstep. She commanded the crowd with confidence in her stage presence, rocking a cropped baby tank top marked with the word DROP. Shortly after, Taiki Nulight and Levity threw an insane back-to-back set that matched Mary Droppinz’s energy perfectly. This is where things got interesting. In good ‘ole Florida fashion, an immense tempest covered the venue, showering the crowd and all of its surroundings in gallons upon gallons of water. Instead of running for cover, the majority of the crowd (including myself) accepted our fate and continued the headbanging in the deluge. The lasers from the stage collided with each raindrop to create an illusion of diamonds glittering above the spectators. This spectacle was one of the most magical moments I’ve experienced at a live set. Drenched in rainwater and ears muffled by the subwoofers, it was time to go home to prepare for night two.
Songs: RiGHT TiME - Mary Droppinz, Hydraulix
Counting (Taiki Nulight Remix) - Hamdi, Princess Superstar, Taiki Nulight
Flip It - Levity, Dem Jointz
Saturday night started off strong with an outstanding live performance from Blood Orange. Devonté Hynes, the mastermind behind the project, gave an emotional, yet inspiring roller coaster of a performance that had the crowd shifting from slow sways to jumps and twirls. Originally from East London, Dev has been curating a masterpiece discography out of New York City after putting his previous alias, Lightspeed Champion, on an indefinite hiatus. His work tunes into subjects such as heartbreak, subjugation, identity, and introspection. Smooth saxophones and fleeting sounds of the flute float across his work, adding a jazzy tone to what could otherwise be described as both R&B and indie.
Song: Uncle ACE - Blood Orange
A sharp turn took me to an impressive hybrid set put on by the one and only HorsegiirL. This unique artist hides her face behind a garish horse mask, yet her emotion can be seen through it clearer than glass. This set was easily a standout; not only did the Berlin-born DJ hop on the decks, but she also trotted around the stage with an awe-inspiring live performance. Beside her were two seductive snails that shed their shells and morphed into slick, sexy slugs, showcasing modern jazz dance, as well as classical ballet and contemporary styles. This was juxtaposed by HorsegiirL’s fast-paced happy hardcore and UK hardcore sound. By the end of the set, I felt one with nature. With my chakras now aligned, I was ready for the final acts of the night.
Song: eat, sleep, slay, 🔁 - HorsegiirL
The final few hours of iii Points required a lot of movement from stage to stage. Simultaneous sets from Four Tet, MPH, Machine Girl, and HAAi sent me through a whirlwind of confusion.
A quote from the 16th US President, Abraham Lincoln, hit my psyche like a brick. “Determine that the thing can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way.”
I was determined to see each of these artists, and there wasn’t any option to leave a single one out. Alas, out of all of these artists, HAAi was by far the most momentous set I saw. The Australian-born DJ based out of London performed on a square-shaped stage built by scaffolding with speakers at each corner. She graced the decks in such a nonchalant, suave manner. Her bleach-burnt blonde hair and oversized soccer jersey gave me the impression that she was here to play music, not to be performative or to appeal to anyone or anything. A cigarette in one hand, the other tuning knobs and twisting decks, her aesthetic was so subtle, yet powerful. The set was filled with ruthless UK garage that kept my legs moving and jumping when I thought I had nothing left in me. She will be playing in Miami again during Art Basel in December, and I intend to relive that intense mania that flooded my body from head to toe.
All in all, if you are looking for a music festival that doesn’t abide by the norms of modern music culture and emphasizes creativity, innovation, and the idiosyncrasies of diversity, iii Points is the place for you. Set your calendars for October, because this is a festival you will want to attend again and again.
Songs: Technology - HAAi
Talk To Me - Four Tet, Skrillex, Naisha, Champion
Scroll of Sorrow - Machine Girl, guayaba
Funk Master - MPH