The 2024 We Belong Here Festival delivered on its goal to create an unforgettable weekend full of dancing in Miami.
As I started writing this piece, I wanted to take into account what, in the year 2024, the purpose of festivals are and what they mean to our community. If you asked me before I attended by first We Belong Here festival last year, I may have had a different answer than I do now. At that point in my life, I wanted to know how big the headliners were, how many people I knew going, and the festival’s reputation. Looking back to before We Belong Here 2023 to just after We Belong Here 2024, it’s amazing what a difference a year can make.
When I first entered the electronic music scene I was head-over-heels in love with every aspect of it: the excitement around live events, seeing your favorite artist for the first time, and discovering new music. Flash forward a decade or so, and somewhere along the way I had lost track of all of that.
In case anyone needed a reminder, festivals are supposed to be fun. They are supposed to make you feel like you are a part of something bigger than yourself. That’s where We Belong Here Miami comes in.
I was sitting on my phone in December 2022, scrolling through Instagram when I saw an ad for a festival I had never heard of. Which was a bit of a rare occurrence. Not only was it a new, but it was on the beach in Miami in the middle of winter, with two of my favorite artists playing 3-hour sets. I was immediately sold on the idea.
When I say that We Belong Here was my favorite weekend of 2023, that is a harsh understatement. It was like attending this festival for the first time took away all of my stress and let me dance easy. That’s what good festivals are supposed to do. We spent two very full days dancing to Kaskade and Lane 8 along with a packed lineup of wonderful artists. We had so much fun I decided that weekend I wanted to live in a city that had events that make you feel this at home. So that’s what I did. I went to We Belong Here 2023 and felt so much like I belonged that I uprooted my entire life and moved to Miami.
Flash forward a year to We Belong Here 2024. So much in my life had changed, but the festival, in all of its excellence, was still there. This time bigger and better than ever. Events that are put on with the aspect of community in mind typically succeed on that goal, and We Belong Here is no different. It is a beautiful festival with immaculate vibes, and I just wish more events would take a page from the We Belong Here book. Not every festival will be a life changing experience, but they are supposed to be something you truly enjoy.
We Belong Here 2024 was just a few weeks ago and I am still buzzing with the afterglow. This is what live music is all about.
THE VENUE
Nothing goes together better than We Belong Here and Virginia Key Beach. This was one of the best event venues I have ever been to, and I am so glad We Belong Here Miami returns each year. There is so much space on the venue grounds that the event never seems too crowded. With plenty of room to dance, breathe, and experience the event, you can enjoy each stage regardless of where you are standing in the crowd. Being on the beach also adds to the experience, as it makes you feel full immersed in the festival. The most magical part of the venue is being able to see the sun set over the water each night and watch it being replaced by a glaring full moon. We Belong Here is a picturesque place to dance and make memories.
THE MUSIC
Each artist felt as if they were given specific instructions to play the music they enjoy the most. You could feel an unmatched energy in every set, with songs you typically wouldn’t expect from the artist, and you could see they loved selecting. Each musician played with their heart and were on stage having the time of their lives. The addition of the label takeover stage this year was amazing with a chance to explore more artists. We of course loved the two stages of local artists and seeing Jerro and Le Youth play the The Never Happened takeover stage. Some of our other favorite sets included Duke Dumont, Bob Moses, and Gordo.
LOGISTICS
I could talk about the thoughtful stage designs, stacked lineup, and great sound production, but We Belong Here is so much more than all of that. Overall, We Belong Here Miami is an excellently run festival. From short lines across the board, to easy to find and comfortable stages, it has the logistics down pat. Our only complaint is that it only lasted two days. We are looking forward to more We Belong Here Miami events (and in other cities too), and we cannot wait for next year.
Article By: Techno Kell
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