There’s no doubt about it – Ultra is a massive, sprawling festival featuring numerous well curated and impressively put together stages. Close to 200 acts will be populating these stages throughout the three-day festival, playing every single kind of dance music you could possibly think of. It can be daunting, at times, but fear not. We’ve taken the time to hand-pick a handful of our absolute must-see-acts, and included a sample set from each.
Make sure to stay tuned later in the week, too. We’ll have an artfully crafted playlist for each of the three days at Ultra Music Festival.
John Digweed | Friday @ Resistance
’John Digweed – Live From Ultra Music Festival Miami 2015’
When I think of sets that are guaranteed to be an epic time, John Digweed is one of the first that comes to mind. He has slowly built a DJ empire over the years that’s acclaimed as being one founded on quality over hype, and for many years (as many as 10 some could argue) existed as an undiscovered talent in his UK home. That stealthy Digweed. Thankfully he’s now on a global touring circuit of grand proportions, and Ultra is the perfect time to catch him. Check out his set “Live in Cordoba” and try to not have the insatiable desire to see him live immediately. I dare you. – Ninja Jordan
Gryffin | Sunday @ Live Stage
’Gryffin Flight Log 002 – Winter Solstice Mix’
Recently shifting into original material after a slew of successful remixes ranging from Years and Years to Bipolar Sunshine, Gryffin takes to the live stage for what is guaranteed to be an uplifting experience. He’s garnered quite a following already, but still seems relatively under the radar considering his millions of plays and impressive renditions of pop and alternative tunes. After working with Hotel Garuda and Josef Salvat, his stock continues to exponentially grow as a possible household name for indie dance and electronic music as a whole. – Ninja Mitch
Party Favor | Friday @ Worldwide Stage
’Wantpicks Episode 28 mixed by Party Favor’
If you’re looking for a diverse set centered around booty shaking beats, Party Favor is your guy. There’s a reason this dude has been co-signed by the likes of Dillon Francis, Diplo, Brillz and Flosstradamus, he knows just how to turn things up. He already rocked major festivals last year, including EDC and Ultra, and now he’s back to make an even bigger impact. Expect an unforgettably wild experience as he returns to Miami to top his momentous 2015 live set. – Ninja Ren
Black Coffee | Sunday @ Resistance Stage
’Black Coffee – 2nd May Mix’
The unofficial leader of Johannesburg’s booming and eclectic electronic dance scene (check out the mini-docs about Black Coffee and Johannesburg, put together by Resident Advisor for an in-depth look), Nathi Maphumulo is a national icon in his home country, known much more widely as Black Coffee. In the past few years, Coffee’s finally been receiving the global acclaim and credit that his artistic counterparts have been heaping on for years. A true programmer, Black Coffee’s sets display house music that simply oozes with soul. His take on house draws inspiration from the indigenous music of his homeland, blended with a penchant for classic hooks and simplified song structure. It’s a blueprint that’s helped him inspire a generation of South African producers, and it’s high time you got in know. – Ninja Matthew
Patrick Topping | Saturday @ Resistance Stage
’Premiere: Patrick Topping @ Tunnels, Aberdeen (07. 11. 2015)’
If you’ve got co-signs and collaborations from the likes of Claude Von Stroke and Green Velvet, chances are you’re doing something right. UK-based producer Patrick Topping has done just that on his meteoric rise to the top of the tech-house scene. “Voicemail,” his 2014 collaboration with Green Velvet, remains in regular rotation for DJs worldwide, but Topping’s sound has continued to expand making every new release an adventure–ranging from dark and ominous to uplifting and soulful. His DJ sets have been hailed as some of the best on the biggest stages so he’s definitely an act worth catching at this point in his career. – Ninja Ashraf
Miike Snow | Friday @ Live Stage
’Miike Snow live Coachella 2012 full concert HD’
After a three-year hiatus, the Swedish indie pop trio is back in full force. Their long-awaited album “iii” was finally released, including hit singles like “Genghis Khan” and “Heart Is Full”. It will be interesting to see these veterans get together again and perform at Ultra Music Festival. Their immense energy and entertaining live sets will definitely bring down the house as the Friday headliner of the Live Stage. – Ninja Ivan
Tycho | Friday @ Live Stage
’Black Sunrise – Sunrise DJ Set at Burning Man 2014’
I’ve been a massive fan of Tycho for quite some time. His passion for ambient, multi-layered electronica and graphic design is inspiring, keeping me anxiously awaiting each time he plays. I know a lot of you are heading to Ultra to rage, but please trust me. This is one act of electronic mastery you don’t want to miss. – Ninja Clayton
