This year’s festival season started off with a bang, some rain, and lightning this past weekend, March 22nd to March 24th, as Ultra Music Festival faced some unprecedented weather conditions. However, this didn’t hinder attendees from dancing and singing amidst the rain. Despite the weather challenges leading to an early closure on Day 1, all 55,000 attendees remained resilient and made the most out of their weekend experience.
Amidst an unprecedented storm that swept through Miami on Friday, the majority of attendees remained undeterred as they eagerly awaited their favorite artists to grace the stages. Despite the downpour, concert-goers embraced the rain, donning fashionable rain ponchos and refusing to let the rain dampen their spirits. Whether it was splashing in the puddles or diving and rolling around in the deep pools of mud, it’s a testament to the unwavering dedication of ravers and their ability to always make the best out of any given situation. Tiesto weathered the storm (literally) and expertly maneuvered his set despite the CDJs being absolutely drenched. (FYI – those things aren’t all that waterproof). Fans were treated to an emotionally charged set by Slander at the Main Stage before Ultra decided to end Friday’s event prematurely due to the persistent rain. Unfortunately, this decision resulted in the cancellation of some of the most anticipated sets of the weekend, leaving headlining artists like Hardwell, Masterhand, and Chris Lake & Fisher to express their disheartenment on social media.
Saturday posed a challenge for Ultra, as most of the festival grounds at Bayfront Park were inundated in deep flooding, a first for the festival. However, Ultra organizers and city officials collaborated swiftly and diligently to devise a solution to ensure Day 2 would proceed as planned. With a delayed opening, Ultra didn’t open their gates until 4PM, prompting adjustments to the scheduled set times for Saturday and extending the festival hours to conclude at 1AM, surpassing the typical city curfew. Despite the inclement weather, the atmosphere remained electric with eager fans flowing in. Ben Nicky electrified the fist-pumping crowd with a dynamic hardstyle set at the UMF Radio Stage. Hardwell seized the opportunity to deliver his highly anticipated set, originally slated for Friday but rescheduled for Saturday at the Main Stage. Trap left its mark on Ultra this year with a historic closing back to back set with RL Grime and Knock2, with a special guest appearance of the rising trap sensation, ISOxo. Despite the weather challenges, fans persevered and kept the energy alive and electric throughout Saturday.
The “sun” in Sunday lived up to its name at Ultra, as the sun shone brightly, casting a radiant glow over the festival grounds. The final day of Ultra was blessed with clear skies, amplifying the already roaring and infectious energy of the event. Attendees from around the world proudly waved their flags representing their countries, as they danced across all seven stages, immersing themselves in a diverse array of electronic music genres. Armin Van Buuren took command of the Main Stage, delivering a powerhouse performance that included a surprise appearance by the legendary Jon Bon Jovi, who joined him to perform “Keep The Faith.” If you had that on your Ultra 2024 bingo card, you might as well buy a lottery ticket. Adding to the spectacle, 420 drones illuminated the Miami sky, forming various mesmerizing scenes, including a very meta scene of a robot DJing. Calvin Harris made a triumphant return to Ultra after a decade-long hiatus, closing the Main Stage with a blend of his timeless classics seamlessly intertwined with the latest sounds of the electronic music soundscape.
In the face of adversity, the festival, the attendees, the artists and the staff stood resilient, uniting as one this past weekend. The undeniable force of music prevailed. Despite its challenges, all participants weathered the storm, leading Ultra Music Festival to triumph in a historic weekend filled with dynamic performances, unforgettable moments, and a genesis of a new wave of memes.
Ultra Music Festival returns to Bayfront Park next year in 2025 from March 28th – to March 30th for its 25th year anniversary. Tickets are available here.
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