The newfound administration has initiated some revisions to the venue in hopes that it reins supreme in the club scene. March is the first month that Billboardlive is supposed to hit on all cylinders, with modifications from the office to the dance floor.
"We're undergoing substantial changes," 57-year-old club director Rudolf (no last name please) says through a genteel voice that carries a slight Spanish accent. The construction was underway at press time. "We want to make the place more flexible," the 30-year club veteran says. "The way it is, only one DJ can play at a time. Considering how the crowd these days is musically divided, that is not good enough."

The modifications at Billboardlive include extra sound equipment so up to five DJs can spin at the same time. Some of the interior décor will change, as will some furniture, and a few portable bars will be brought in. All the alterations are designed to make each DJ area as autonomous as possible. The sound system will be revamped so the five new systems can run separately, or all together for one main act.

Does it sound strange that a place supposedly catering to live music is changing to accommodate more DJs? Yes it's strange, but South Beach is a bizarre place, and sometimes to survive you have to change your stripes. But Rudolf maintains that the focus of the club will not change from live music to DJs. "That's why we have the flexibility with the different sound systems," he says with assurance. And he should be confident, because Billboardlive has so much invested that they're not going to walk completely away

The three-story, 40,000 to 50,000 (depending if the terrace is opened) square foot building was already packed with over 110 speakers driven by more than 40,000 watts. The entire joint is wired for recordings, conventional broadcasts, or digital webcasts - plus there are multiple web cam outlets in the performance area. On the visual side, the place has enough monitors (including a wall made with four 50-inch screens) to make people see trails all night, even if they're just sipping tea. The main lighting system is handled by a huge truss, which is loaded with a blinding plethora of lighting equipment. The entire unit moves agilely above the dance floor with the help of 25 one-ton motors. And every piece of equipment was installed only after careful consideration of its relationship with the 32x23-foot stage. As of yet, no performer has used the venue to its fullest capabilities.

"The plan is to have as much live music as possible," Rudolf deadpans. "The question isn't if we can bring the talent in, because we can. The question is whether there is a public around Miami capable of filling this place two or three times a week? And that's a question we will answer the hard way."

Local talent is also something the club would like to present, and Rudolf notes that in the next few months they will have some industry showcases for area musicians. But he concedes that Billboardlive is still looking for the preeminent way to stage local talent. "There is no point in presenting a band if no one sees them - no matter how good they are," he says.

But one thing that Rudolf is sure of, "now all the elements are right," he says happily. "Now this club will finally reach the level of social prominence that it was destined to."
Okay, but will South Beach care enough to keep it around?

Billboardlive Open Friday and Saturday from 10pm.
$20 cover (305) 538-2251
15th Street & Ocean Drive, at Ocean Steps, Miami Beach