I can’t believe it’s been a little under two weeks since Ultra Music Festival’s 20th edition, WOW! If you have no idea what Ultra Music Festival is, or UMF as we Ultranauts call it, feel free to check out my Ultra Story on IG for a good time
First and foremost, Ultra is the festival that sets the tone for festival season. With dozens of tracks being premiered every year, it’s an opportunity for DJ’s and artist alike to release their next big hit and watch it become the summer’s new festival anthem. It’s no wonder that artist like Daddy Yankee, Justin Bieber, and Sean Paul have all made appearances to perform their collaborations with the various DJ’s.
This was only my second time attending the festival in Miami and it did not disappoint! All I can still think about is the stupid heat from the pyro at Swedish House Mafia’s reunion set and how it basically burned off my eyebrows as I stood at the very front of the stage. SWEDISH FUCKING HOUSE MAFIA! GAHHHHH!!!! I can go on and write a full blog post just on this experience alone. Let’s just say we are all picking up the tears from 5 years ago when Axwell, Ingrosso, and Steve Angello disbanded. (If you are still wondering what year I first went to Ultra, it was during their last show in 2013 when iPhones were only okay at taking photos)
Ultra Music Festival takes place literally in the heart of Downtown Miami at Bayfront park, and it’s truly a magical experience dancing and fistpumping to your favorite jams surrounded by the incredible Miami skyline. People always ask me to compare Ultra to various other festivals I have attended and I simply can’t. Ultra creates a unique world embracing the Miami lifestyle, and what Ultra is doing in Miami can’t be ranked against other festivals.
Though the layout and stage designs have not changed much since my first visit in 2013, the vibes are incredible. There is definitely a sense of unity at UMF, something that I haven’t seen much of in recent times at other festivals.
For those of you who have been to festivals please vouch for me in the comments on how rude people can be at festivals, especially when you are at the very front of the stage for your favorite artist.
This was totally not the case at Ultra, I don’t think I have ever been at the front of the stage where the people around me (30 or so strangers from around the world) all became friends after a few hours. It can be a struggle camping out at the front of the stage, and if you are not prepared for it you’re not going to have a good time. We all had each other’s back, shared our supplies of food and water, and made sure everyone had enough space. I was mind blown by how nice everyone was because usually it’s a bloodthirsty fighty from the people behind you trying to steal your spot. This viby experience was super chill, and have never experienced it at other festivals.
The people were great but obviously we go to Ultra for the music. Honorable mentions to Dash Berlin, Axwell and Ingrosso, Laidback Luke, Marshmello, The Chainsmokers, and David Guetta. These are the DJ’s who you will see at any major festival across the globe, but my favorite moments from the festival can not be replicated in other parts of the world.
We are living in a beautiful time where Hip-Hop, EDM, and Latin Music are all prospering and Ultra showcased it all! Who’d ever thought that I would see Daddy Yankee share the stage with Elvis Crespo during Steve Aoki’s set. I have no idea where else in the world this could happen! And what about DJ Snake bringing out J Balvin (insert fire emoji x 3)!!!
I LOVED that latin wave that came about a little over 10 years ago when Pitbull and Daddy Yankee brough latin music to the US mainstream charts. To see what latin music is evolving into today is incredible. Honestly, I’ve been on a Latin music binge since I got back home. It also didn’t help that every major radio station in Miami is currently playing latin fire all day. I am still mesmerized by the unexpected that I did not expect at this year’s Ultra.
Though the Kings of EDM conquered the masses at Ultra, my favorite set hands down is Audien. I’m pretty sure I watched his set on day 2... I entered the festival blacked out drunk (no thanks to Fat Tuesday), and I must have been wandering around for a good two or so hours. I regained consciousness and found myself in the middle of a crowd listening to Frank Walker, who was also really good and a great musical discovery. As Frank Walker ended Audien took the stage and took us all through a magical journey. A good 15 or so minutes pass by and if you were in that crowd I am sure you heard me scream, “WOOOAAAHH LIVING ON A PRAYER!!!” The whole crowd sang every single word to Bon Jovi and just as we all thought we were “halfway” there, Audien mashes it up with the festival anthem, Mammoth. Figuratively, I. Lost. My. Shit. (peep here for actual footage of this)
I want to dedicate this last portion to Porter Robinson, who I admire on so many levels for his musical creativity. Porter wasn’t on the lineup, but his alter ego Virtual Self premiered his first festival appearance. Honestly, his time slot was my biggest dilemma at the festival since he was playing at the exact same time as Axwell and Ingrosso. Now, Swedish House Mafia was still rumored to appear and it had not been official as to when it was happening. I told myself, I can’t miss Swedish House Mafia and I was like 60% sure it was happening during Axwell and Ingrosso’s set. Thankfully it didn’t!
I watched Axwell and Ingrosso for about 15 minutes when I realized the reunion wasn’t happening. Axwell and Ingrosso were playing their respective biggest hits and were teasing us with the tiniest snippets of their SHM hits. I left. There was a gut feeling inside of me like when you do something that you know is going to let your momma down. I felt like I was betraying Porter if I stayed any longer at Axwell and Ingrosso’s banging set.
Before I could catch my breath I start to hear a combination of white noise, ambient music, hardstyle, and hardcore trance all coming from the same speaker. There was a part of me that was scared that I was not going to like this new style of music, but Porter proved me wrong! He has mastered the future of EDM once again, and took us all at the live stage on a wild ride previously only known to happen in anime adventure games. I’m beyond stoked to see where Virtual Self goes musically and I can’t wait to see him at more shows this year!
I can keep writing about everything that happened at Ultra Miami but let me know down in the comments what you want to know. I hope you feel my experience via this post and as a PA, if you see something at a festival say something. You don’t know whose life you could be saving.
