Miami, FL - Looking for a Miami Music Week Awards show in 2026? MMW has no shortage of special events. But watching Seven Lions accept an award and then immediately step behind the decks to play for the crowd in front of you? That was a different kind of afternoon for me.
The 2026 Electronic Dance Music Awards (EDMAs) on Friday, March 27th, an annual fan-voted awards ceremony, had a new home this year at the Clevelander South Beach. They played pool party host leading up to Ultra Music Festival weekend powered by iHeartRadio.
The EDMAs aren’t just an awards ceremony, but a place where artists, industry professionals, upcoming artists, and fans collide, and where some winners play a set.
A few highlights from my afternoon:
- Armin van Buuren accepts his EDMA in front of all his fans
- The world-renowned Carl Cox claims his well-deserved Legend Award on stage
- Seven Lions performs after receiving his award for Favorite Album
- Esther Anaya mesmerizes us all with her DJ set and live violin play
Miami Music Week 2026: Artists Spotted
Armin van Buuren accepting his award in person still holds a special place, no matter how many times you’ve seen his name on a lineup. Not only has the man been a legend to trance for decades and somehow finds a way to keep up with current times without compromising who he is. I remember being a kid and listening to A State of Trance episode, his long-running radio show, on my iPod Shuffle, so seeing him receive an award in front of huge fans was so moving.
Carl Cox is the king of mixing music on three or four decks. There’s a reason he’s considered the king of techno and house. The crowd’s reaction when his name was called showed us he is one of the greatest DJs. Proudly, he accepted his gold Legend Award for the 2026 EDMAs smiling at his fans.
Seven Lions didn’t just pick up his award for Favorite Album, Asleep in the Garden of Infernal Stars – he performed. The set at the pool party felt like I went on a journey from upbeat to vibrant. The crowd was whipping their hair due to the punchy kick and snares.
Meanwhile, there was Esther Anaya, Colombian-born DJ, violinist, singer, and producer who combined live music and dance music together offering a unique performance. All the cameras are up and you realize you need to be in the moment for it. In a live pool party setting, it creates a vibrant atmosphere in the best way.
Miami Music Week 2026 ends with everyone processing their week. Overall, the EDMAs stood out as I processed the week – a reminder why this community is as big as it is. Multiple legends showing up year after year with the right crowd to be surrounded by.
And the Seven Lions set still left an impression on me. Stay locked in at Electric Feels for more music coverage at festivals all year long.
