Sex Crime and Violence During DJ-Driven 'Ultra Weekend' in Miami -- And, Yes, Californians Were in the Thick of It
The just-wrapped "Miami Music Week/Ultra Weekend" in South Beach was marred by violence, and allegations of rape. Our sister publication Miami New Times reports that three Californians were arrested on suspicion of gang raping a college student at the Fontainebleau Hotel after they met her at a pool party at the down-the-beach Shelborne Hotel.
YouTube Headquarters, we have a wedgie.
Also, a near-riot erupted following a performance by ...
... Swedish House Mafia, whose leader, Steve Angello, calls L.A. home and happens to be a big headliner at Coachella next month.
Not his fault. The DJ session was reportedly oversold and angry house-heads went apeshit on the beach.
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Miami Beach Det. Juan F. Sanchez told the Weekly the rape suspects are from the South Bay, including Lomita, Ranchos Palos Verdes and Torrance.
They were identified as Paul Thorington, 22, Anthony Albano, 23, and Ray Joseph Laranjo, 23.
Miami Dade Corrections Suspect Paul Thorington.
Looks like organizers of Ultra will have to think about the ramifications of doing a full-on party weekend based around a rave-like event.
But we will say this. This is maybe what happens when what was once a dance industry showcase called the Winter Music Conference -- which attracted mainly industry types on Spring Break -- is abandoned by the two-day Ultra Music Festival concert in favor of a full-on spiky-haired, beer-fueled raver douche fest.
Echoes of L.A.'s embattled Electric Daisy Carnival (also a two-day electronic dance music festival) anyone?
We think Miami's annual dance music week should move back to a WMC-oriented showcase and meeting place. Leave it to the professionals.
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