Ultra Music Festival, the true beating heart of electronic culture, unveils its highly anticipated Phase 1 lineup for its 25th anniversary. Returning to its home at Bayfront Park in Downtown Miami from March 28th to 30th, 2025, Ultra marks this milestone by symbolically highlighting evolution of electronic music over the last quarter-century. This convergence of groundbreaking partnerships, iconic comebacks, and debut performances is set to go beyond the limits of what Ultra is already known for as a flagship festival
Ultra 2025 ignites the excitement with bold ventures and storied reunions. Anyma and Solomun take center stage in an exclusive back-to-back set that embodies the spirit of innovation and collaboration that Ultra has championed for decades. Anyma’s visual artistry fuses seamlessly with Solomun’s masterful DJ skills, creating a one-of-a-kind story that redefines what a live set can be – two distinct creative visions into a unified experience that transcends the ordinary. The Main Stage will glow with their collective energy, drawing attendees into a fully enveloping audiovisual world where art and music merge into something profound. Ultra 2025 aims to create memories that resonate long after the music fades, with this set standing as one of the defining moments of a landmark year.
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More surprises are coming. Solomun’s Diynamic label will take over the RESISTANCE MegaStructure for the first time with techno artist Four Tet, Dutch artist Mau P, and others. The event brings together artists and creates a distinct experience for fans.
Carl Cox and RESISTANCE MegaStructure
Carl Cox’s relationship with Ultra spans decades. His place on the 25th anniversary lineup shows this bond. Carl Cox will bring his new Live Show to Miami. He will headline at the RESISTANCE MegaStructure. Cox has been part of Ultra since 2001. In 2005, he launched a modest tent called ‘Carl Cox & Friends,’ which evolved into the MegaStructure, now a flagship stage. His new ‘Carl Cox Invites’ stage will feature well-established and emerging house and techno artists.
The Evolution of the MegaStructure
The RESISTANCE MegaStructure is a major part of Ultra Music Festival. It is an architectural and musical marvel with advanced lighting and sound. The MegaStructure is known for its visuals and community atmosphere. Thousands gather for underground music. Carl Cox, with his strong presence, will be at the center in 2025. His stage takeovers are known for introducing both classic and new sounds from the underground scene.
Cox curates artists for the ‘Carl Cox Invites’ stage expertly. This year’s lineup includes diverse talents from the electronic spectrum. Artists like Enrico Sangiuliano, known for immersive techno sets, and emerging talents like Anna will perform. These mixes guide fans through techno, house, and beyond. The MegaStructure is the core of the underground. In 2025, it will rock the souls seeking RESISTANCE.
deadmau5 and Pendulum Collaboration + Retro5spective Set
Ultra presents deadmau5 and Pendulum together for a collaboration. The last time something of this nature was when deadmau5 briefly joined Pendulum in 2016. This marks their first full-scale collaboration. Expectations are high. Each will also perform solo. deadmau5 offers his ‘retro5spective’ set with classics. Pendulum returns for a live showcase.
deadmau5’s ‘retro5spective’ set is among the most awaited solo performances at Ultra 2025. Known for his unique production style, deadmau5 will dive into his older catalog, giving fans a chance to relive some of his top tracks. His ‘retro5spective’ set celebrates the journey of his musical evolution. Fans can expect tracks like “Strobe” and “Ghosts ‘n’ Stuff,” along with other anthems that shaped electronic music over the past decade. The energy of a deadmau5 set and Ultra’s production will be one for the record books.
Pendulum is ready to deliver a high-energy live performance. They will combine their drum & bass sound with live instruments and strong vocals. Their shows are known for intensity and crowd interaction. This marks their return to Ultra since 2016. Fans are eager to welcome them back!
The collaboration between deadmau5 and Pendulum is notable and act has their own thing they bring to the table. deadmau5’s moody electro-house contrasts with Pendulum’s intense drum & bass. This combination is intriguing. Their joint performance is expected to explore new ideas and bring fresh energy to the festival.
New Collaborations and Returning Legends
Collaborations take focus this year! Everything Always, featuring Dom Dolla and John Summit, will debut on the Main Stage. It will be their first festival performance together and fans can expect something totally fresh. Axwell, famous for his work with Swedish House Mafia and Axwell /\ Ingrosso, will perform a rare solo headlining set. This will be the first time for the Miami crowd.
Everything Always: Dom Dolla and John Summit
Everything Always is one of the freshest collaborations in the house music scene. Dom Dolla and John Summit have become fast rising names within house, now well-established. Their collaboration blends Dom’s bass-heavy house angle with John’s uplifting house vibes, creating an intense atmosphere. Their debut at Ultra 2025 will be a highlight of the festival, bringing energy to the Main Stage. Fans can expect unreleased tracks, back-to-back mixing, and a unique connection fueled by their shared passion for making people dance.
Axwell is no stranger to Ultra’s Main Stage. In 2025, he will perform solo, a rare treat for fans. Known for his skill in reading the crowd and mixing euphoric melodies with a direct, matter of fact style, Axwell’s solo performance will showcase progressive house music.
Above & Beyond, Armin van Buuren, and the Return of Legends
Legends of the electronic scene are also making their eagerly awaited return. Above & Beyond will perform at Ultra for the first time since 2018. They bring their signature deep sound. Known for their connection with fans, their performance will be a touching moment of the festival. The set will include fan favorites like “Sun & Moon” and “Thing Called Love” along with newer tracks that reflect their evolving style.
Armin van Buuren, a mainstay of Ultra Music Festival, returns for both a Main Stage set and a takeover of A State of Trance (ASOT). Armin’s ASOT takeovers bring a curated selection of top trance acts from around the world. The ASOT stage is always a favorite. Fans gather to enjoy melodic and powerful trance sounds. Armin’s connection with his audience, his passion for the genre, and his dedication make his sets unmissable.
Martin Garrix and Hardwell, two leading figures of the Ultra community, are also back to headline. Martin Garrix, part of Ultra since his teenage years, brings unmatched energy and chart-topping hits that define a generation. Hardwell, returning after a hiatus, continues to show why he is a top name in electronic music. Their performances will feature intense drops, vocal anthems, and memorable moments.
Drum & Bass and Bass-Heavy Collaborations
The drum & bass world is not left out either. Nero returns to Ultra for the first time since 2016, while Chase & Status, following a breakout DJ set in 2024, will bring their latest live show to Miami’s enthusiastic crowd. The collaboration between CloZee and LSDREAM as LSZEE introduces an exciting aspect for bass-heavy sound fans, marking their Ultra debut.
Nero and Chase & Status: Drum & Bass Returns
Nero, known for their dramatic, dark, and bass-heavy music, returns to Ultra with a live show that promises to be visually and sonically spectacular. Their performances are intense and immersive, blending electronic with live vocals to create their stand out sound. Tracks like “Promises” and “Me & You” have become staples in the electronic music scene, and fans are eager to see what surprises Nero has in store for their 2025 performance.
Chase & Status have been a dominant force in drum & bass for over a decade. Their live shows are packed with energy, featuring a mix of their classic tracks and new material that pushes the boundaries of the genre. Their return to Ultra is sought after, especially after their powerful DJ set in 2024, which was praised for blowing the crowd away.
CloZee and LSDREAM’s collaboration, LSZEE, combines two distinct styles. CloZee’s ethereal bass will be mixed with LSDREAM’s trippy style, creating an otherworldly experience. Their debut at Ultra introduces a fresh sound that embodies creativity and originality.
RESISTANCE and the Underground Scene
The underground side of RESISTANCE maintain their own distinct presence. The legendary Richie Hawtin will debut his new ‘DEX EFX X0X’ live performance at the MegaStructure. It features a blend of digital and analog elements, highlighting the development of DJing. Mainstays like Charlotte de Witte and Adam Beyer return. Acts like 999999999 and I Hate Models make their Ultra debut, maintaining the vibrancy of the underground scene.
Richie Hawtin and the Evolution of DJing
Richie Hawtin has always led electronic music innovation. His new show, ‘DEX EFX X0X,’ reflects this – Hawtin’s set will journey through sound, using the latest DJ technology alongside classic equipment. His mixing skill, crowd understanding, and dedication to DJing make his performances unique.
Charlotte de Witte and Adam Beyer are two of the biggest names in techno, and their return to Ultra is highly anticipated. Charlotte’s hard-hitting techno and Adam’s Drumcode-driven angle will keep the crowd moving at the RESISTANCE stages. Their performances are known for their unrelenting energy and their ability to keep the audience locked in for the long haul.
Debut Performances at RESISTANCE
As mentioned, acts like 999999999, the Italian hard techno duo, and I Hate Models, known for his emotional and raw industrial techno, are making their Ultra debut in 2025. These artists represent the new of the underground scene, bringing fresh energy and a new perspective to RESISTANCE. Their performances are expected to be intense, filled with powerful sounds and a dark, immersive atmosphere!
Stage takeovers dominate this year. Carl Cox Invites and Diynamic lead at RESISTANCE. The ASOT stage and Dirty Workz, the hardstyle powerhouse, bring fans into varied sonic experiences. There’s also a debut psytrance stage curated by Vini Vici’s Alteza Records, adding yet another layer to Ultra’s showcase of varied electronic music.
The Diversity of Stage Takeovers
The stage takeovers at Ultra are always a highlight, offering fans the chance to immerse themselves in specific subgenres and experience curated lineups that represent the best of each style. This year, the ASOT stage promises a exploration of the many facets of trance, with Armin van Buuren leading the way. Dirty Workz, which has been at the forefront of the hardstyle movement, returns to bring their high-energy sound to Ultra, ensuring that fans of harder styles have plenty to look forward to.
The debut of the psytrance stage, curated by Vini Vici’s Alteza Records, is a important addition to Ultra 2025. Psytrance has always had a dedicated following, and Vini Vici’s influence has helped bring the genre to a broader audience. The Alteza Records stage will feature some of the top acts in psytrance, promising driving basslines, hypnotic melodies, and an atmosphere that is both spiritual and electrifying.
A Milestone Year for Ultra Music Festival
Ultra Miami 2025 promises to be a diverse musical experience. The Phase 1 lineup highlights this anniversary as a milestone, featuring global debuts, veteran artists, and new talent. The festival offers a chance to experience the evolution of dance music, and Ultra is prepared to provide an memorable experience.
Looking Forward to the Next 25 Years
As Ultra celebrates its 25th anniversary, it is both looking back on a rich history of significant performances and renowned moments while also looking forward to the future of electronic music. Ultra has always been about trying new ideas, whether through technological innovations in stage production, curating unique artist collaborations, or expanding to new locations around the world. The 2025 edition of the festival embodies all of these elements, offering fans a chance to be part of history while also witnessing the future of electronic music unfold.
With the Phase 1 lineup already showcasing some of the biggest names and most exciting new acts in electronic music, Ultra 2025 is set to be a important event. Whether you are a long-time attendee or a first-timer, this year’s festival will be an experience like no other—a celebration of 25 years of music, community, and the unifying power of dance.
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