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EDITORIAL > ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL 2024: A TALE OF TRIUMPH

There was a problem though, the rain was not getting any But then again, this is Ultra Miami. And on Saturday
lighter as the night crept in. It was becoming apparent, just afternoon, they pulled the biggest rabbit out of their hat
from surveying the area and also the announcement from in the history of the event. Even with a delayed start, Ultra
Damien Pinto (the mainstage host), that things could get announced the rest of the day’s acts would take place
worse and there might be an instance for an evacuation as scheduled, and Hardwell would get to play on the
of the park. Miraculously, the crews were doing everything mainstage, thanks to the festival extending its hours for
they could to keep the show going. Then came the iconic the first time in its history at Bayfront Park. Once the gates
Tiësto sunset slot as he was welcomed with the heaviest opened, the energy was unlike anything Ultra Miami had
rain of the day. But as one would expect, the electronic ever seen before. With only a few technical issues during
legend put on a masterclass anyway that mixed his new sets, such as KSHMR’s due to the rain, that was eventually
music with some of his classics. It didn’t come without its fixed, Saturday was starting to take shape as an all-timer in
problems though, as the mixer on stage became flooded the festival’s history.
and the performance came to a halt as the sound stopped.
Luckily, the crew was able to get things going again, and The crew tremendously cleared out a fair amount of the
Tiësto then arguably had the moment of the festival when water from the park, and there was barely any chance of
he played a mashup of Adele’s ‘Set Fire To The Rain’ and his rain. The day began with KSHMR, Steve Aoki, Gryffin, Mersiv,
song ‘Secrets’ during the downpour. Kill Safari, Amelie Lens, Mathame, Deorro and others who
all were brilliant. Then began one of the all-time runs in
After him came Slander, playing a night slot on the mainstage history as Hardwell played, arguably his best
mainstage for the first time in their careers. The rain fit Ultra set ever and what many considered the show of the
perfectly with their emotionally driven set, but it was weekend as he sent the energy levels through the roof with
becoming clear, as many began to file out of the park his blend of big room, hardstyle and techno. Following him
that the weather was getting out of hand. Slander walked was Excision, as his appearance marked an iconic moment
off the stage, and now it was time for one of the most in the history of dubstep. Next was Martin Garrix, who was
anticipated performances of the festival, Hardwell. But then celebrating the 10th anniversary of the first time he played
the house lights came on throughout the park, and over the mainstage. As he brought his world-renowned ‘IDEM’
the speakers came the message nobody wanted to hear. production to Miami, he put on another iconic set full of IDs,
“This area is now unsafe and must be evactuated,” the rest new mashups and even drum and bass, and had one of
of night one was officially canceled. As attendees walked the biggest crowd turnouts of the entire weekend.
through ankle-high puddles of water and heavy rain, it was
uncertain if we would get to see any of the headlining acts Lastly came David Guetta, who was premiering a brand
that anybody had waited all day for. It did not look good. new experience with his ‘Monolith’ show. Toward the
end of his set, he shocked the crowd as he brought out
It rained through the night, and the Ultra Miami team found OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder to sing his dance
themselves out at 7 am trying to unflood the Bayfront classic ‘If I Lose Myself’ and then closed with their new song
Park and save the next two days. The festival found itself ‘I Don’t Wanna Wait.’ But it might have been a show across
in an unprecedented spot. For the first time, the show was the park that stole the night, RL Grime b2b Knock2. Playing
canceled due to weather, and now it faced a delayed to one of the largest crowds the Worldwide stage has ever
opening on Saturday after already canceling the early-day seen, the legend and the newcomer mesmerized in their
acts. There was no guarantee that the show would even headliner set with a mix of heavy trap beats, house music
go on. DJs of the night before had expressed how crushed and drum and bass. With a guest appearance for other
they were to not be able to play. One message came from new trap star, ISOxo, it became evident quickly that the new
Hardwell who stated he had worked multiple months just generation is here, and this would be a set that goes down
on the Miami show. The event found itself in a tough place. as an all-time favorite amongst people. The night ended,
Was there a way to keep the show going to the level that and it was a collective feeling that through all the trials that
was expected but also find a way to find times for the took place earlier in the morning and the night before, out
canceled DJs to perform? It was something that Ultra had came one of the most special days Ultra had ever had. The
never dealt with. energy was through the roof the entire day, and every artist
brought out their best.

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