Scene
When you think about festivals as gigantic shitshow spectacles, Ultra is right near the top of the list. Miami New Times put it like this in 2014: This is “a phantasmagoric fun parade starring famous people, nearly naked ladies, the beefiest of beefcakes, the kandiest of ravers, and the most ridiculously costumed of party people.” That could have been written this morning. The attendance tops 155,000. Plus, the music. In 2022, which is the first after a year off due to COVID-19, features David Guetta, Carl Cox, Martin Garrix, DJ Snake, Alison Wonderland, Nina Kraviz, Zeds Dead and more. There are a 100 total listed on the Ultra site, and another announcement of additions is expected. Considered the starting point of electronic music “festival season,” Ultra is one (along with EDC Las Vegas) of the country’s premier EDM events. Held in Miami at the end of Miami Music Week, it’s also the flagship for a roving international festival, Ultra Worldwide.
