Ultra Music Festival Solidifies Position as Top Electronic Music Festival in the US with 2022 Return – [Review]

After a three-year hiatus, Ultra Music Festival returns to its coveted venue and re-establishes its place as the United States’ elite electronic dance music festival 

Whether you’re a bass music or techno lover, Ultra Music Festival continuously offers a unique experience for every strain of electronic music devout. The highly-anticipated return to Bayfront Park only further defined Ultra’s impact on the US festival season with a versatile yet cohesive roster of talent. Spanning three glorious days in the idyllic Miami location, the sold-out Ultra Music Festival reminded the world of its unwavering dominance over the start of festival season and why it continues to shape the dance music scene with each passing year.

Unlike any other, Ultra represents a multitude of fans across the globe. The iconic brand hosted over 165,000 attendees spanning 101 countries with an energy that was palpable. This melting pot of dance music lovers creates an aurora of acceptance and love that continues to remain unmatched across a plethora of worldwide festivals. 

Attendees could revel in the wonder of Carl Cox’s three-day takeover at the Resistance Megastructure while also catching 50 Cent’s guest appearance during Kygo’s set on the staggering mainstage. The seemingly never-ending lineup of talent ensured a distinct experience for each 2022 attendee.

Known for its special guest appearances and unrevelead headliners, Ultra redefined its place as the leading electronic music festival in the States with a handful of surprises. Not only did Hardwell make his first performance in nearly five years, but Joe Jonas’ band DNCE and Kodak Black made unannounced appearances with Kygo and David Guetta, respectively. 

To kick off the festival, the first day hosted notable perfromances from Martin Garrix, Svdden Death as VOYD, Nina Kraviz, Pendulum, and more. Armin van Buuren and Reiner Zonneveld also took to the Worldwide Stage for a never-before-seen b2b set as Alison Wonderland effortlessly captivated the Live Stage. Additionally, Boris Brejcha contributed a three-hour set at the Resistance Cove with some action from his wife and frequent collaborator Ginger.

The second-day electricity matched the flawless weather that was provided on Saturday in Miami. Continuing the momentum from day one, Saturday featured the highest-regarded acts in both EDM and underground techno. Illenium, DJ Snake, Afrojack, and Tiesto captivated the audience at the Mainstage while Carl Cox, Tale of Us, and ANNA transported the sounds of the underground to the Megastructure.

If that wasn’t enough, Gareth Emery debuted his ‘ANALOG’ album and live show ahead of one-of-a-kind live performances from Sofi Tukker and Madeon. John Summit and Dom Dolla packed the crowd to the brim at the Resistance Cove before Solardo and Camelphat closed for the evening. To round out the evening, KSHMR delivered his stirring live experience while Knife Party delivered an unforgettable genre-bending set on the Worldwide stage.

The final day of the festival proved to be worth the wait with an abundance of prominent acts in dance music. Hardstyle was represented in full at the Dirty Workz takeover at UMF Radio while EDM was symbolized by Whipped Cream, Krewella, Kill The Noise, Seven Lions and Zeds Dead at the Worldwide Stage. Carl Cox also hosted Hannes Bieger, Amelie Lens, Reiner Zonneveld, and Drumcode head Adam Beyer to close out his three-day Resistance takeover. 

Making history on the mainstage, Vintage Culture and Claptone went back to back ahead of iconic performances from industry titans Armin van Buuren and David Guetta. The long-awaited return of Hardwell proved to be the most groundbreaking set of the weekend and closed the festival on an undeniable high note. Showcasing his wonderous new big room-techno sound, Hardwell made a tearful and triumphant return while giving attendees one final moment under the Miami sky.

Sprinkled with nostalgia of the EDM boom while still providing a promising glimmer of the future of dance music, Ultra Music Festival established its post-pandemic grasp on the global festival circuit. The festival organizers’ knack for curating a creme de le creme lineup paired with the finest festival production is the reason Ultra remains one of the most prolific electronic music festivals in the world. 

As teased by the live drone show before the final act of the weekend, Ultra revealed that the notorious Swedish House Mafia will in fact headline the festival in 2023. The next edition is slated for return on March 24th, 25th, and 26th at the beloved Bayfront Park venue. Fans can be on the lookout for tickets at https://ultramusicfestival.com/tickets/miami/