The 25th Anniversary of Ultra Music Festival Miami took place from March 28–30, 2025, at Bayfront Park in downtown Miami, Florida. It was a landmark event, drawing over 165,000 attendees from more than 100 countries and featuring a stacked lineup of electronic music artists. The festival showcased iconic performances, surprise guest appearances, and historic main stage moments, despite challenging weather conditions, including a temporary shutdown on Sunday due to severe thunderstorms. Ultra’s 25th anniversary Highlights included Afrojack’s “Titanium” performance with Guetta and Sia, Martin Garrix’s closing set, Skrillex’s star-studded Main Stage return, and Carl Cox’s “Evolution” live debut. Despite a Sunday weather shutdown, the event reinforced Ultra’s legacy.
Key highlights included:
- Afrojack’s set on Friday, featuring a rare live performance of “Titanium” with David Guetta and Sia, marking a significant pop culture moment.
- Skrillex returned to the Main Stage for his first solo performance since 2015, joined by surprise guests like Flowdan, Damian Marley, and Young Miko.
- Carl Cox debuted his “Evolution” live set and curated the first-ever “Carl Cox Invites” stage takeover at the RESISTANCE Megastructure.
- Solomun hosted his debut Diynamic label showcase with Mau P, Four Tet, and Chloé Caillet, culminating in a rare back-to-back set.
- Martin Garrix closed the festival on Sunday for the first time, delivering a career-defining set with his own live vocals and a new collaboration with Armin van Buuren.
- Other notable performances included Dom Dolla and John Summit (as Everything Always), Tiësto, Hardwell, Zedd, Above & Beyond, and Axwell with his first solo headlining set.
The festival featured eight stages, with the Main Stage, RESISTANCE Megastructure, and UMF Radio Stage standing out. A drone show displayed patterns and the Ultra 25th Anniversary logo each night. Despite rain on the final day, fans persevered, and the event was broadcast globally via #ULTRALIVE, featuring performances and exclusive content. Ultra’s legacy, top-tier production, and vibrant community solidified its status as a premier electronic music festival.
The History of Ultra Music Festival (UMF) Miami, one of the world’s premier electronic music festivals, has grown from a modest single-day event into a global phenomenon since its inception in 1999. Below is a detailed history of its evolution, challenges, and milestones, with a focus on its significance and the context as the Construction at Bicentennial Park prompted Ultra’s return to Bayfront Park in 2012, where it sold out during pre-sale. The 2013 edition, celebrating the festival’s 15th anniversary, was held over two weekends, attracting a record 330,000 attendees. However, Ultra reverted to a single-weekend format in 2014, selling out in just five minutes. Ever since then, it attracts a lot of fans around the globe for all EDM style from new artists to the biggest stars of the Globe.
Friday’s Experience
I was so excited to watch another year of the Ultra Festival on the big screen as I prepped it for the weekend. I got up my glows and counter bar ready. The Event began with the 25th Anniversary Theme to look back of the history about Ultra Festival.
The show started off with Sam Feldt and it was a good way to start off the show with fans entering the big Ultra Stage. my favorite moments was when he bring in “Crying on the Dancefloor” and when the dancers performed with the water rising up in the air. It was a good way to began the show for an early event. Then I watched a quick show of the State of Trance from two guys on Stage before Timmy Trumpet. When Timmy Trumpet was ready to go on stage, I was eager to see him perform with his trumpet. I jumped up and down like crazy when he played the hardstyle music and danced around until I got sweaty. My favorite moments was when he played W&W & Timmy Trumpet & Will Sparks ft. Sequenza – Tricky Tricky (ID Remix) “Rave Tool (808gong Flip)” by Henry Fong, Freaks (Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike Remix) Timmy Trumpet ft. Savage, Pump It (Tantron DnB Bootleg) by Black Eyed Peas, Tarantino – Steve Aoki & Timmy Trumpet ft. STARX, Can’t Hold Us (HBz Remix) by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ft. Ray Dalton Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes, Party Till We Die (Dr Phunk Remix) by MAKJ & Timmy Trumpet ft. Andrew W.K., and so much more. Parts of the time he was using his trumpet to throw some entertainment in the melody and handed drinks to the audience. It was becoming a fucking epic showdown with the coolest style of house music into hardstyle to blend it with the greatest throwbacks. Afterwards, I listened to Substronics which he came back to Ultra for the first time in 10 years during the early days of dubstep. It was alright overall, but I only enjoyed some of his music which it was also a nice break.
As the sun began to set, Tiesto had his set and I really enjoyed the first 20 minutes of the show, as my favorite was 10:35 by Tiësto ft Tate McRae, The Only Way Is Up by Martin Garrix & Tiësto, it then rise the pitch like the radio at the moment of – Boom by Tiësto & Sevenn and Hot In It (Tiësto’s Hotter Mix) by Tiësto ft Charli XCX. There was more songs from The Motto (Acappella) by Tiësto ft Ava Max, C’mon by Tiësto & Diplo and his ID Song and it become Won’t Be Possible by Tiësto & Odd Mob vs Goodboys. After a while, I decided to watch the 2nd Division Stage and watch Maddix who is another Dutch DJ which it was a good show but the last 15 minutes was awesome. My favorite was the last one and it was Club Bizarre by Maddix and I was stumping my feet around in circles as I had a blast. Afterwards, I listened to Chase and Status which is a Drum and Bass duo. I decided to relive the moment from last years songs and enjoyed some songs that I’ve never heard yet. When it was up, I watched Afrojack and it was really good which I remembered some of his famous songs like his brand new song Never Forget You, Ten Feet Tall, Give Me Everything (Stripped Down) w/ AFROJACK, Take Over Control (Antoine Delvig & AFROJACK Edit) w/ AFROJACK ft. Eva Simons, and Turn Up The Speakers (AFROJACK Edit) by AFROJACK & Martin Garrix. There was a lot of fireworks and lights in the city of Miami. At the end of the show, it was a surprise to see Sia and David Guetta as they played Titanium their new song Beautiful People.
During the late night shows there was Alesso, who had a lot of good songs and some of it were epic like you don’t want to leave the moment. There was a new song Surrender with Becky Hill and I enjoyed some of the songs in high pitch because it felt good with the songs that I knew and some of the ones that I never heard before. There was a special guest on stage Nadia Ali who came to surprise the artist. There was songs from Alesso that it was a standout, featuring a high-energy mix of progressive house and EDM classics, including mashups like “If I Lose Myself vs. One Last Time” and “Heroes vs. Never Going Home.” Tracks such as his remix of “Pressure” by Nadia Ali, Starkillers, and Alex Kenji. There was fireworks and the view of Bayfront Park, and the view of traffic in the city of Miami in Florida. It was an epic show for myself and the fans as I ready to drunk in the night away. At Ultra Music Festival 2025 in Miami, the Mainstage closed Day 1 with an electrifying performance by Everything Always, the collaborative project of Dom Dolla and John Summit, from 10:30 PM to midnight. This high-energy set was a festival highlight, blending tech house, vocal house, and surprise drum & bass elements, showcasing their dynamic synergy. It was an epic moment of House, DnB to EDM as the two had some great song and a lot of the live view with fireworks. The list of songs were in my favorite moments were Everything Always 2025 Intro with Belocca’s “Ifuna”, Focus (Layton Giordani Remix) by John Summit ft. CLOVES, San Frandisco by Dom Dolla, Where You Are (John Summit & Maddix Edit) by John Summit ft. HAYLA, Saving Up by Dom Dolla, light years by John Summit ft. Inéz, palm of my hands (Odd Mob Remix) by John Summit & venbee, Miracle Maker (Acappella) by Dom Dolla ft. Clementine Douglas, Go Back by John Summit & Sub Focus ft. Julia Church, Rhyme Dust and Rhyme Dust (Dimension DnB Remix) by MK & Dom Dolla. For myself and the audience alike, it was the most remarkable experience and a performance that will last a lifetime. During the final minutes after midnight, I watched Pendulum and it was a really nice show and they got my songs like The Island and Nothing for Free. The event was wrapped up from Zeds Dead and got some dope songs and I was really drunk to dance and I suddenly got tired so it was perfect to wrap up Day 1.
Saturday’s Experience
It was the second day, but the queues got off to a wet start because it was hot and rainy at Bayfront Park in Miami, Florida. The event opened with Kapuchon, which was a good start, and I could see the Buffalo Bills and Israel flags. I turned my room into a coffee bar to boost the energy since it had a pleasant atmosphere. It was an enjoyable delight when Frank Walker took over and introduced the tropical house sound. Additionally, he included some well-known pop songs in the dance mix, which served as a useful warm-up. Some of mixes were the reworks and some of his own edits from famous dance songs. I increased my hypertension as I dinked a good amount of coffee and have some Joel Corry. His set was a vibrant blend of house, tech house, and festival-ready remixes, packed with crowd-pleasing anthems and innovative mashups. The set included his hits like “Lonely,” “Out Out” with Jax Jones, Charli XCX, and Saweetie,” “Head & Heart,” and “BED,” alongside remixes and collaborations with artists like Jax Jones, David Guetta, and MNEK. The inclusion of tracks like “Better Off Alone (Pickle Remix)” and “Satisfaction (Just_us Remix)” added nostalgic energy, while newer tracks like “Daydream” and “Tears On My Piano (Alphadogs Remix)” kept the set fresh. The setlist also featured several ID remixes, indicating exclusive or unreleased edits tailored for Ultra’s massive audience. I was eager the most to hear Head and Heart because it was my favorite Pop/Dance song of 2020 and waved the American flag during that moment.
The best part of my Saturday was that I get to see Wilkinson because all of his songs were in high pitch by 2% like I used to hear on the radio, as he released his greatest songs and some of his new songs with some ID Songs. I danced to almost all of his songs because I was so excited to see a DJ who makes this ULTRA Festival the most exciting moment in History. Wilkinson’s 58-minute set was a masterclass in drum and bass, blending his iconic hits, new releases, remixes, and exclusive ID tracks, all infused with that signature 2% pitch-up you loved, giving it a radio-like, high-energy edge. The set featured collaborations with heavyweights like Sub Focus, Dimension, and Kanine, alongside vocal-driven anthems and underground bangers. The Worldwide Stage’s production lasers, visuals, and booming sound amplified the euphoria. The show began with the Opening song of “Lose Control” as Wilkinson kicked off with a massive unreleased collab with Camo & Krooked, Mefjus, and ILLIRA, setting a high-octane tone. Parts of the time I used my set of the Heeler Brothers to ride on Bobo to see Wilkinson’s set. He then played some songs like from Sub Focus, and famous songs into drum n bass remix. My favorite parts of the performance were when he played the songs for the first ten minutes. Other highlights include: It’s That Time (Dimension Remix), Take You Higher by Wilkinson, DJ Turn It Up by Dimension, Shine On by Wilkinson & Kaskade & Paige Cavell, Tell Me Why (1991 Remix) by Supermode, Rock It (Wilkinson Remix) by Sub Focus, and the last fifteen minutes of the whole performance, which I cherished and which included some of the most memorable songs. I yelled enthusiastically at the top of my lungs to the songs “Infinity” by Wilkinson featuring ILIRA, “Tom Cane & Iiola,” “Afterglow,” a fantastic classic from 2013, and “Shiver” (Wilkinson Remix) by John Summit & Hayla. I couldn’t help but smile during that entire time, and I nearly became emotional since it seemed like life would go on forever. When he was about to wrap up the show, he wanted to take a pictures with the fans and played – Balance by Wilkinson ft. North and The Shadows by Kanine. He was able to delivered emotional highs, resonating with the crowd’s energy. It was on of the best Drum n Bass Shows i’ve witnessed and danced in my own room having a blast and this will be the show of my highlight.
I took a nice relaxing break to save my energy for the next acts. Then I watched Armin van Buuren and he really put down a really good show. It was energetic most of the show as he include never seen before unleashed ID Songs, His new song Sound of You, Dnb remix of 50 cent In Da Club, and tried out new genres to fit in Mainstream EDM industry to make it exciting. He also encourage the fans to wave their arms around side to side to release the next song. He also brought a special guest on stage Adam Beyer and brought in unreleased songs. It was an epic show for the fans at Ultra Main Stage.
After Sunset, Crankdat but down show to make it the dopest Performance at the Stage. I was eager to hear his sick dubsteps and cool moves. He had a lot of sick dubstep songs to make it like a head bop Performance. Crankdat’s 57-minute set was a masterclass in heavy bass music, blending his signature dubstep and trap originals with remixes, mashups, and unreleased ID tracks. The Worldwide Stage’s immersive production—lasers, smoke, and earth-shaking bass—amplified the intensity, making it a fan-favorite moment of Ultra 2025. He made a lot of sick bass and wake up beats to make it a shocker. I began to hit beer o clock to party hard and get fucked up. Some of my favorite highlight for bangers were Levels (Crankdat Remix) by Avicii w/ Samplifire – PUNCH w/ Ray Parker Jr. – Ghostbusters Theme (Crankdat Remix) A high-energy rework of Avicii’s classic, paired with heavy bass and a fun “Ghostbusters” twist, evoking festival nostalgia. Another highlight was AFK & Carbin ft. Cody Ray – Boss (Acappella) w/ Sum 41 – Fat Lip w/ Chase & Status & Bou ft. Trigga & IRAH & Flowdan & Takura – Baddadan (Crankdat Remix) which it had some chaotic blend of punk, hip-hop, and drum and bass, tying into my love for Wilkinson’s DnB energy. Crankdat brought in someone who was a special guest with NGHTMRE joining for a bass-heavy banger, amplified by hip-hop acappellas for maximum crowd impact. He played his new song TYPE SH*T with NGHTMRE featuring Duke Deuce with the sickest beats and had the one reference from Dr. Dre song. Crankdat then played The White Stripes vs. Ray Volpe – Seven Nation Song Request w/ Crankdat ft. SOFI – Whiplash (VIP). I was eager to hear Turn Down For What (Crankdat Remix), The Candy Shop (Crankdat Remix) and Black And Yellow w/ Crankdat & Levity – ID, to wrapped up the show which was a nostalgic closer with a modern bass twist, leaving the crowd hyped. It was the best Dubstep show of Ultra Miami. I took a selfie of the view to wrap up the show.
After a while, I listened to Hedex which is another Drum n Bass Artist which I played most of the songs from last year. To wrap up day 2, Axwell had his show and it was really good which it had most of my favorite popular songs for EDM which most of it was in high pitch which i did not expect to be that good. Hardwell wrapped it up with hardstyle mix and had the maddest and had some fireworks to make the show magical.
Sunday’s Experience
I was looking forward for Day 3 but it had a tropical rain storm to delayed the show which I thought it was canceled. Luckily, it started around 3:15 which it started off with Brisbane’s Odd Mob. However, his set was significantly impacted by weather issues, as a rainstorm caused delays and ultimately cut their performance short to approximately 20 minutes. Odd Mob, the Australian producer known for genre-blending house and bass-heavy beats, was a highly anticipated act on the Main Stage. Their set was expected to feature tracks like “LEFT TO RIGHT,” “Lithium,” and their remix of John Summit’s “palm of my hands,” which have cemented their reputation for high-energy, innovative performances. It was a good warmup for dancing, but it was unfortunate o be cut down to move on to see Sonny Fodera.
Next I danced to Sonny Fodera like my favorite songs from him like Turn Back Time by Diplo & Sonny Fodera which was 2020 hit with Diplo, delivering nostalgic house vibes. I also like Somedays by Sonny Fodera & Jazzy & D.O.D, which was a 2024 collaboration, bringing soulful house energy. It was also short on time so I was lucky to replay Saturdays highlight from Becky Hill and KSHMR. Becky Hill began it with Surrender” (with Alesso): A new 2025 collaboration, debuted by Alesso on Day 1 and likely performed live by Hill, given her history of joining collaborators on stage. She then played Lose Control” (with MEDUZA), which i feel bad for not listening to the whole set because the live set got delayed again and played more of Saturday’s highlights. Thankfully I was able to catch up KSHMR which only played early sunday which I didnt thought it was highlighted instead of being live after midnight.
I was too thrilled with the rest of the show until the final 4 acts of the night.
When I moved back to Worldwide Stage which was the 2nd Division Stage, I was eager to see Andy C. & Tonn Piper perform at the Worldwide Stage as I knew all of his songs would be in high pitch, just like they are on the radio. While Andy C mixes the tracks and inserts additional songs to keep things fresh, Tonn Piper makes announcements to the audience. The sounds like an electrifying experience at Ultra Music Festival Miami 2025! I was hyped for Andy C & Tonn Piper’s performance on the Worldwide Stage on Day 3 (March 30, 2025), and their high-energy drum and bass set, with that signature high-pitched, radio-like vibe. Despite the rain was still there until the evening started as it began to clear up. During the first 5 minutes, I heard songs like Can You Feel My Heart? (Sota Bootleg) by BMTH, Last Resort (Bugwell Bootleg) by Papa Roach, A nostalgic nu-metal remix, pitched up for DnB intensity, creating a massive singalong moment. I also heard a little bit of the unreleased song of Lost Tonight by Kanine and Arcando. Then I heard Shiver (andromedik bootleg) by John Summit, then the great Liquor & Cigarettes by Chase and Status, A 2024 vocal-driven banger, perfect for Tonn Piper’s crowd engagement. Andy C played a lot of good Drum n Bass songs and House Bootlegs to make it entertaining. At 16:29 Andy C played his brand new song Indestructible VIP by Becky Hill & Disrupta Remix, which it was double-drop of his song for two different remixes ike a mashup. When it moved on to another song, the rain finally stopped and ready to continued some bangers. After some bangers, he played Baddadan by Chase & Status x Bou. I was dancing in my room and enjoyed every moment to live while it last for his energetic set. During the final 5 minutes, Andy C’s layering skills and played songs like Take You Higher by Wilkinson, machete (A.M.C remix) by Sota, Tour (entity bootleg) by Mackey gee, Get down by Kanine, positions VIP by Andy C, and illuminate by Sub Focus x Wilkinson. He made it incredible even some of the songs I don’t usually play in general which turned into sick beats. When Tonn Piper’s crowd engagement, he let the crowd know that he had one more song of the set and played I Found You (Andy C Remix) by Axwell, A closing track blending house and DnB, leaving the crowd buzzing. It was another awesome show just good as Wilkinson and Crankdat which sadly the rain did missed out the first 30 minutes of the set.
After a While I listened to Dimension and played most of his songs that was played from last year. He enjoyed playing Drum n Bass with smoking cigarettes. It was a nice little workout performance. He Started with Culture Shock’s “The Time Is Now” and Wilkinson’s “Take You Higher (Culture Shock Remix),” setting a melodic yet driving D&B tone. The inclusion of “Klubbhopping (ID Remix)” and “Levels (1991 Remix)” early on nods to classic EDM anthems, reimagined for a D&B audience. He then Builds intensity with Dimension’s “DJ Turn It Up” and “Offender,” alongside festival bangers like “Solar System” and “Devotion.” Remixes of Armin van Buuren’s “Lose This Feeling” and FISHER’s “Atmosphere” bridge D&B with mainstage appeal, ensuring broad crowd engagement. The unreleased “ID” at 17:00 adds exclusivity. During the Climactic Build, he features heavier D&B tracks like “Fine Day,” “Ghost Town,” and “BACKBONE,” interspersed with vocal-driven remixes like “Shiver (Andromedik Edit)” and “Jungle (Metrik Remix).” The “Numb” bootleg by Metrik and Dimension is a nostalgic peak, blending rock and D&B. He Ended with anthemic collaborations like “Angel” (with Sub Focus and NGHTMRE) and “Ready To Fly,” alongside “Desire” and the unreleased “ID (You’re the River),” delivering an emotional, high-energy finale that resonates with Ultra’s festival vibe.
During the moment of Sunset, back to the Main Stage, it was Gryffin and it was ready for the act. He Started with familiar Gryffin tracks like “All You Need To Know” (ID Remix) and “Body Back,” building energy with melodic hooks and acappella layers (e.g., Elley Duhé’s “Forever”). Incorporates a high-energy shift with “Touhou Riddim” (Subtronics Remix) and “Dead To Me” for bass-heavy impact.Mid-Set (9:06–34:45): Maintains momentum with mashups (e.g., “Feel Good vs. In The Silence”) and festival edits (e.g., DubVision’s “Underwater”). Acappellas like Rihanna’s “We Found Love” and Florence + The Machine’s “Spectrum” enhance crowd sing-alongs. Tracks like “Barbarian” (ID Remix) and “Air” (with Excision) add heavier electronic elements.Climactic Build (34:45–48:05): Features an unreleased track, “Spin Me Slowly” with Julia Church, likely a festival highlight due to its exclusivity. High-energy trance and techno influences emerge with “Techno Is My Only Drug” and “Electric Sky vs. Remember.”Closing (48:05–56:56): Peaks with Armin van Buuren’s collaboration “What Took You So Long” in multiple versions, layered with Ace Aura’s “Vapor” for a bass-heavy finale. Closes with a VIP version of “All You Need To Know” and “Tie Me Down” (ID Remix), looping back to Gryffin’s melodic roots for a euphoric end.
When it got dark outside, more lights and lasers pointed out around Main Stage with neon lights as I was excited to see Zedd perform on stage for the first time at Ultra Miami in years. Zedd opens with a remix of Radiohead’s iconic track, setting a cinematic and atmospheric tone. This choice aligns with Telos’s experimental and genre-blending influences, showcasing Zedd’s ability to fuse indie and electronic elements. The remix likely features lush synths and a gradual build to hype the crowd. It was a nice warmup song to get ready to dance. Then he played Starving (Bali Bandits Remix) by Hailee Steinfeld & Grey ft. Zedd, a high-energy rework of Zedd’s 2016 pop-EDM hit, the Bali Bandits remix adds a festival-ready bounce with heavier bass and electro-house elements. This track serves as an early crowd-pleaser, blending familiarity with a fresh twist. After that, Zedd wanted to introduce a special guest on stage as Mesto joined Zedd on stage, introducing an unreleased ID (likely a collaborative track) layered with the acappella of “Tangerine Rays” from Telos. This track, featuring Bea Miller and Ellis, is a melodic highlight of the album, with its dreamy vocals and uplifting chord progressions. I was happy to see him on stage. He played another ID, this time from Jay Eskar, mixed with “Out Of Time” from Telos, featuring Bea Miller. This track is a cinematic, emotional piece with soaring vocals, likely paired with a euphoric drop tailored for Ultra’s massive crowd. Zedd then played I Want You To Know by Zedd ft. Selena Gomez, and I was excited to play it because I loved that song when it came out. A throwback to Zedd’s 2015 hit, this track is a festival anthem with its infectious melody and Selena Gomez’s vocals. Its inclusion energizes the crowd with nostalgia while maintaining momentum. It was known for its huge synth leads and driving beat, this track likely featured synchronized visuals and lights, a hallmark of Zedd’s Ultra sets and fireworks started to light up in the air. I began to party and started drinking to live up the moment. Afterwards, he played Where You Are (Zedd Remix) by John Summit ft. HAYLA. As Zedd’s remix of John Summit’s 2023 hit adds his signature progressive house flair, with lush chords and a festival-ready drop. This track bridges modern house trends with Zedd’s melodic style. Remixing a contemporary hit shows Zedd’s relevance in the current EDM scene, and this track likely resonated with Ultra’s diverse audience. I jumped out up and down for excitement when Zedd played Stay The Night by Zedd ft. Hayley Williams, which was another classic from Zedd’s Clarity album (2013), this track features Hayley Williams’s powerful vocals and a euphoric drop. It’s a fan favorite that never fails to ignite festival crowds. Its placement here keeps the energy high, with visuals likely emphasizing the track’s emotional and anthemic vibe. I took a little break when he played Good Times (Ellis Remix) by Chic and Do It To It vs. Pink Soldiers (Zedd Edit) by ACRAZE & Cherish vs. 23. I went back to the Dancefloor when he played Rude by MAGIC! This time Zedd’s remix of MAGIC!’s reggae-pop hit is a festival staple, with its bouncy drop and catchy melody. It’s a crowd-pleaser that bridges pop and EDM. This track keeps the energy light and fun, appealing to both casual and dedicated fans. I did a slow dance when he played 818 by Wolfgang Gartner, with a nod to electro-house roots, Wolfgang Gartner’s “818” brings a gritty, high-energy vibe. Zedd’s inclusion of this track pays homage to his influences while maintaining the set’s intensity. The start of Zedd’s live drum solo, this Telos track samples Jeff Buckley’s haunting vocals, blending rock and electronic elements. Zedd’s drumming adds a live, organic feel. He played Dream Brother by Zedd & Jeff Buckley, This moment showcases Zedd’s musicianship, stepping away from the DJ booth to perform live, a highlight that differentiates his set from typical EDM performances. During my drinking break, I heard Sona by Zedd & The Olllam and Lucky w/ M83 – Midnight City, Zedd ft. Remi Wolf. Zedd did a drum solo set when he played Happy Now with Elley Duhé. A 2018 pop-EDM hit, “Happy Now” features Elley Duhé’s emotive vocals and a melodic drop. It’s a feel-good track that resonates with Ultra’s uplifting atmosphere. While he resumed the drums, he played the Marc Benjamin’s remix adds a harder, festival-ready edge to “Happy Now,” with a beefier drop and driving bassline. The remix keeps the momentum going, transitioning into the next high-energy segment. He then did a Drum n Bass version with the drums while he played Ultrasound by Arcando & Pirapus with No Gravity by Ultrasound Zedd & Bava. A blend of Arcando & Pirapus’s “Ultrasound” with “No Gravity” from Telos, featuring Bava. This track likely features a futuristic, bass-heavy sound, aligning with Telos’s space-inspired theme. He then went back to Pop Dance with the song Stay by Zedd & Alessia Cara. A 2017 chart-topping hit, “Stay” is a pop-EDM anthem with Alessia Cara’s soulful vocals and a memorable synth melody. A singalong moment for the crowd, this track is a staple in Zedd’s sets for its universal appeal. He made the song faster with Stay In Sin City (Bust-R Mashup) for a mashup of “Stay” with CMC$ & NUZB’s “Sin City,” adding a gritty, house-infused twist to the original. He surprised the beats when he played Break Free by Ariana Grande ft. Zedd as it started off with him waved his arms with the crowd and add as many beats before to start. Likely accompanied by explosive visuals and pyrotechnics, this track marks a high-energy peak. Another 2014 pop-EDM banger, “Break Free” features Ariana Grande’s powerhouse vocals and a massive drop. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. I just went for another drink when he played Keep It Real by Eleganto and One More Time (Zedd Remix) by Daft Punk.
My excitement rolled back when he played Beautiful Now with Long Island singer Jon Bellion. I sing the whole song screamed in top of my lungs with pure excitement and happiness. A 2015 anthem from True Colors, this track features Jon Bellion’s vocals and a soaring, festival-ready drop. A nostalgic peak, likely paired with vibrant visuals to enhance the track’s uplifting energy. When Zedd brought the tick tock of the clocking ticking and tells everyone “How are you feeling Miami?” I knew the song and it was The Middle by Zedd & Maren Morris & Grey. A 2018 pop crossover hit, “The Middle” is a singalong staple with Maren Morris’s catchy vocals and a bouncy drop. This track keeps the crowd engaged with its universal appeal and radio-friendly melody. Zedd also made a speech about the weather before the show that it rained earlier in the day. Another plot twist that he added the extra beats in the concluding part of The Middle. He then played VROOM Virtual Riot with the instruments of The Middle. A heavy dubstep track by Virtual Riot, “VROOM” brings an unexpected bass-heavy moment to Zedd’s set, showcasing his willingness to experiment. Likely a surprise for the crowd, this track adds variety and appeals to bass music fans. Before he brought the last song of the Night, he talked about his first Ultra Festival Show 15 Years ago as he brought up the story of his first major song Clarity after Spectrum. He decied to play Clarity (Evan Duffy Piano Cover) by Zedd ft. Foxes. A piano cover of Zedd’s iconic 2012 hit “Clarity,” setting up an emotional transition into the original. This cover adds a stripped-down, intimate moment. A perfect setup for the set’s climax, building anticipation for the final track. He wrapped up the last 5 minutes with Clarity by Zedd ft. Foxes. The set closes with “Clarity,” Zedd’s Grammy-winning anthem featuring Southampton’s very own Foxes with her soaring vocals. It’s an emotional, euphoric finale that leaves the crowd in a frenzy. He then asked his fans to use their phones to light it up in the air. Paired with iconic visuals and possibly fireworks, this track is a timeless closer for Zedd’s Ultra sets.
When I was waiting for Martin Garrix, I listened to Nico Moreno, a French DJ and producer from Caen, is a prominent figure in the industrial techno scene, known for his fast, hard-hitting kicks and raw, high-energy sets. His Ultra Miami 2025 set, performed on the RESISTANCE Megastructure, was a standout for techno fans. He played a lot of hardcore EDM and style leans heavily into industrial techno, it’s interesting you noted hardcore EDM vibes—his sets can sometimes blur genre lines with their aggressive, high-energy approach, which might resonate with fans of harder EDM subgenres.
To wrap up the Weekend Highlight, Martin Garrix closed up the Main Stage
The show opened up with the Build up Hype Gravity (Intro Edit) by Martin Garrix & Sem Vox ft. Jaimes. Opens with a cinematic, vocal-driven intro. “Gravity” sets an emotional tone with Jaimes’ vocals, likely extended with atmospheric pads to captivate the Ultra crowd under the Mainstage lights. Like That vs. Turn Up The Speakers (Martin Garrix Mashup) by Bassjackers vs. AFROJACK & Martin Garrix as I was hyped for the showcase theme. A high-energy mashup combining Bassjackers’ gritty electro with the 2014 Garrix-AFROJACK banger “Turn Up The Speakers.” This drop-heavy track ignites the crowd early. Then he did Limitless vs. Scared To Be Lonely (Martin Garrix Mashup) by Martin Garrix & Mesto vs. Dua Lipa. A fan-favorite mashup blending the driving “Limitless” with the emotional vocals of “Scared To Be Lonely.” The updated list adds a second layer, This triple mashup incorporates Pirapus’ “Ultrasound,” adding a bass-heavy, possibly drum-and-bass edge, showcasing Garrix’s knack for creative blending. He played a Drum n Bass song Set Me Free by Martin Garrix & Arcando which I was speechless to try out a new genre to his collection. I was eager to danced to DnB because it was my top genre of EDM. A fresh release with Arcando, likely a melodic progressive house anthem with a festival-ready drop as it turned into a Drum n Bass for the beats. He tried dubstep with his song Good Morning by Martin Garrix & Matisse & Sadko, which was a bright, uplifting track to keep the crowd engaged, setting the stage for the set’s emotional peaks. The next song was Empty by Martin Garrix & DubVision ft. Jaimes as a vocal-driven anthem with Jaimes, ideal for crowd sing-alongs and emotional connection.The Only Way Is Up by Martin Garrix & Tiësto, which a 2015 classic, this Tiësto collab brings nostalgic progressive house vibes. Then Martin Garrix did a mashup of Quantum vs. Summer Days (Martin Garrix Mashup) by Martin Garrix & Brooks vs. Macklemore & Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy – Quantum vs. Summer Days (Martin Garrix Mashup) as I jumped up and down to hype up the final performance. Updated from just “Quantum” with an acapella; this mashup pairs the punchy “Quantum” with “Summer Days” vocals, creating a fun, sing-along moment.
The beats got more excited when he played Tremor (Sensation 2014 Anthem) by Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike & Martin Garrix. A big-room banger from 2014, still a festival destroyer. The crowd likely erupted for this one with a blasting amount of bass for the beats. He then blend it with Told You So (Brooks Remix) by Martin Garrix & Jex. Brooks’ remix adds a modern, bass-heavy twist to this track and added some quotes from Jex in the Brooks remix. Surprisingly, Lauv came on Stage and Lauv’s appearance signals the next track. The song was called MAD by Martin Garrix & Lauv. As Lauv joins Garrix for this pop-EDM crossover, blending catchy vocals with festival energy. I got drunk so I got hyped up when Garrix played my favorite winter 18/19 song High On Life by Martin Garrix ft. Bonn. It was One of Garrix’s most iconic tracks, its euphoric melody and Bonn’s vocals make it a festival highlight. I sing it in the top of my lungs as I did the same with the music and extend the time with my hands up in the air. I did the same idea with the ID song by Martin Garrix & Matisse & Sadko. He then blend it to Don’t Look Down by Martin Garrix & Usher as it transitions into the 2015 hit “Don’t Look Down,” a nostalgic crowd-pleaser. Martin Garrix then did the another teaser of the new song as an ID Song which it was confirmed to be Weightless by Martin Garrix & Arijit Singh, this Arijit Singh collab is confirmed as “Weightless.” A bold cross-genre move blending EDM with Bollywood influences, likely melodic and emotional. I was excited when I heard Gold Skies by Sander van Doorn & Martin Garrix & DVBBS ft. Aleesia. It was the most heartwarming song I could remember since 2020. A 2014 classic, its euphoric drop brings back early EDM vibes with a feel good moment of happiness and excitement. He did another excited twist with Hero (DubVision Remix) by Martin Garrix & JVKE –with Footrocker (Get Your, Get Your Hands Up Acappella) by Mightyfools, as The DubVision remix of “Hero” gets a festival boost with the “Footrocker” acapella, hyping the crowd.
Another 2010s EDM Legend Zedd came on Stage and I was excited to see Zedd’s appearance sets up the next collab. I saw the most amozing view of Miami, the light rail, taxis in the background and the view of the other 7 Divisions of different Stages of Ultra Miami. The song Follow by Martin Garrix & Zedd ft. Emily Warren came out as massive collab with Zedd, blending their melodic styles for a Mainstage moment. After the two jumped in the air, they played Something To Believe In vs. Stephanie (Martin Garrix Mashup) by Julian Jordan vs. Cloonee & InntRaw & Young M.A & HNTR. this mashup replaces a Julian Jordan ID with “Something To Believe In,” paired with a tech-house track “Stephanie” for a surprising genre shift. After a new song, I took another coffee and beer to try to survive my hyperness. Martin Garrix then played Hurricane by Martin Garrix & Sentinel ft. Bonn. A festival anthem with Bonn, perfect for Ultra’s high-energy atmosphere. AFROJACK’s entrance adds hype for the next track as he made an appearance on Martin Garrix’s guest list. The song Our Time by AFROJACK & Martin Garrix & David Guetta & Amél ft. Zack Hall making it a star-studded festival banger. Guest appearances by Lauv, Zedd, and AFROJACK elevate this section, with “High On Life” and “Weightless” as emotional and cultural peaks. The “Quantum vs. Summer Days” mashup and “Gold Skies” hit the nostalgia button hard. After the collaborated, Martin Garrix played Breakaway by Martin Garrix & Mesto ft. WILHELM as a melodic banger with Mesto, keeping the crowd soaring. The last special guest came on Stage and it was Armin van Buuren as I was pleased to see him on the Stage. Armin’s appearance signals a trance-infused moment. The two played Sleepless Nights ft. Libby, which it was a cool collaboration. A trance-leaning collab, blending Garrix’s festival sound with Armin’s uplifting style. Martin Garrix then played Lewis Capaldi’s Someone You Loved (Martin Garrix & Matisse & Sadko Remix) A festival-ready remix of Capaldi’s hit, turning it into an EDM anthem with a massive drop. I was happily drunk and sing like crazy in the final 15 minutes of the show. He brought the lights and fireworks when he played Carry You by Martin Garrix & Third ≡ Party ft. Oaks & Declan J Donovan . An uplifting track with emotional vocals, perfect for crowd connection. The music stopped for a sec and I knew the rhythm which it was Animals as it was now of my favorite bangers since my Top 40 Radio days as it became Animals vs. Game Over (Martin Garrix Mashup) Martin Garrix & LOOPERS. The iconic “Animals” (Garrix’s 2013 breakout) mashed with “Game Over,” reigniting the crowd with a nod to his legacy. It was legit with the style of the mix, as I was thrilled to listen to before the next song. After that he played his next famous Virus (How About Now) with MOTi ft. Jenny Wahlström, A 2014 big-room classic, pure festival energy. I bopped the song with the excitement of the journey. Martin Garrix then played Pyro by Mike Williams & Blinders with Burn Out (Acappella) by Martin Garrix & Justin Mylo ft. Dewain Whitmore – Burn Out (Acappella). After that, I got so excited because I love Bebe Rexha’s attractive voice and did the double mashup of Rise Again vs. In The Name Of Love (Martin Garrix Mashup) by DubVision vs. Martin Garrix & Bebe Rexha with Aurora vs. In The Name Of Love (Martin Garrix Mashup) by Martin Garrix & Blinders vs. Bebe Rexha. I went crazy in love with the double mashup featuring “In The Name Of Love” vocals over DubVision’s “Rise Again” and Garrix-Blinders’ “Aurora,” creating an emotional, high-energy peak. The fireworks and lights which the neon lights explored the view of Bayfront Park Miami with a The set closes with another Arijit Singh collab, likely a heartfelt, melodic track. This cross-cultural anthem leaves the crowd with a sense of unity, perfectly capping Ultra’s 25th anniversary. To wrapped up the show Martin Garrix got his new song Angels For Each Other by Martin Garrix & Arijit Singh. The set closes with another Arijit Singh collab, likely a heartfelt, melodic track. This cross-cultural anthem leaves the crowd with a sense of unity, perfectly capping Ultra’s 25th anniversary. “Angels For Each Other” is a bold, emotional closer, blending EDM with global influences to honor Ultra’s legacy while looking forward. It has fireworks and neon lights to make it Entertainment and I almost shed a tear to the most beautiful message it was a great way to wrapped up the 25th Anniversary Weekend. The Ultra’s 25th Anniversary Closing the Mainstage for Ultra’s milestone year is a bucket-list moment. Ultra Miami is a global EDM mecca, and Garrix’s set was a fitting tribute to its legacy. Garrix’s Journey began from playing Ultra at 17 in 2013 to closing its 25th anniversary, Garrix’s growth from prodigy to headliner is remarkable. Tracks like “Animals” and “High On Life” tie his past to his present. The 25th anniversary likely featured a stacked lineup, with Garrix as the closer due to his global draw and history with Ultra. The Mainstage’s production (lasers, pyrotechnics, LED screens) would’ve made tracks like “Tremor” and “High On Life” visually spectacular.
The Ultra Music Festival 2025, held at Bayfront Park in Miami from March 28-30, celebrated its 25th anniversary with a memorable Sunday drone show over the Main Stage. This nightly spectacle featured intricate patterns, including designs of past Main Stages and the special Ultra 25th Anniversary logo, captivating the 165,000 attendees from over 100 countries. The drone show complemented the festival’s electrifying finale, headlined by Martin Garrix’s historic first Sunday Main Stage closing set, which included a surprise collaboration with Armin van Buuren and his own live vocals. Despite a brief rain delay on Sunday, the drone show and performances resumed, with attendees embracing the energy, undeterred by the weather.
Final Act with the Trio was he B3B (back-to-back-to-back) set featuring Armin van Buuren, Maddix, and Oliver Heldens took place at Ultra Music Festival Miami 2025. This performance occurred on the A State of Trance (ASOT) Worldwide Stage, marking a significant highlight of the festival. It was really cool to see The set blended trance, techno, and house, reflecting the unique styles of each artist as Oliver Heldens infused house and Eurodance-inspired sounds, with a focus on groovy, festival-ready beats, Armin contributed melodic and uplifting trance elements and Maddix brought his signature “acid techno” and big room influences, including heavy basslines and driving rhythms.
The Conclusion of the Ultra Festival of Miami was one of the shows to remember as it had a lot of acts and performances in the last 3 days for the whole weekend from Friday to Sunday.
Traffic heading Home was a zoo after 10PM, while exacerbated traffic as fans sought cover and later returned, contributing to the gridlock. Despite extended public transit options like Metrorail and Metromover running until midnight on Sunday, and special late-night Tri-Rail and Brightline trains, the sheer volume of attendees overwhelmed the area. Local residents also noted the “horrible traffic,” advising avoidance of the area during the festival. Traffic conditions after 11 PM on Sunday, March 30, 2025, following the Ultra Music Festival at Bayfront Park were heavily congested due to the event’s conclusion and the 165,000+ attendees dispersing. Key road closures on Biscayne Boulevard, in effect from 9 PM Thursday to 7 AM Monday, significantly impacted travel. Northbound traffic was rerouted to southbound lanes at Southeast First Street, returning to normal at Northeast Fourth Street, while southbound traffic was diverted westbound at Northeast Sixth Street to Northeast Second Avenue or North Miami Avenue. No southbound traffic was allowed on Biscayne Boulevard from Northeast Sixth Street.
Downtown Miami, with delays persisting past midnight due to the high volume of vehicles and rideshare activity. Uber and Lyft had designated drop-off/pick-up zones near Bayfront Park, but the surge in demand likely caused wait times and gridlock, especially in surrounding areas like Brickell and Wynwood, where afterparties added to the traffic. Public transit options, such as Metrorail and Metromover, operated until midnight on Monday, with Tri-Rail and Brightline offering late-night trains at 11 PM and 12:45 AM, respectively, but many attendees still relied on cars, contributing to delays. Locals advised avoiding the area entirely due to the chaotic traffic patterns. Some people stayed at the station overnight to wait for the first rail of the morning. For those driving home, using the Port of Miami Tunnel via Interstate 395 was recommended to bypass some of the downtown congestion. Expect delays of 30 minutes or more, particularly on routes like Biscayne Boulevard, Northeast Second Avenue, and North Miami Avenue, with normal traffic flow resuming closer to 2 AM as crowds dispersed. While the main path at Bayfront Park became worry free after 1AM while traffic on the I 95 going north had some minor delays but quickly went back to normal volume as it resumed busy of Florida cars until after 2AM.
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