In a mere three months, hundreds of thousands of people will descend upon Bayfront Park in downtown Miami for Ultra’s 25th anniversary weekend. And with multiple stages, dozens of different styles of dance music, and lots of options to be weighed…it can be tough deciding who to see and who to skip.
Ultra was actually the first time I began to navigate away from more of the melodic and dubstep guild and dipped into more of a techno and house level frequency.
This battle still rages within me today and as I plan out my three days in Miami for late March…I thought I would share them with you all who try to have a diverse, memorable, and for lack of a better word – lit experience with every set you invest in.
As far as priorities go, these are my top 10 for Ultra 2025…
Get your tickets here: https://ultramusicfestival.com/tickets/miami/
10. Zedd
I have seen Zedd three times and all said times, I cried.
Not only for being a huge sap for ending a show with Clarity (spoiler alert). But because his rise to prominence is tied to a very unique point in my life.
I remember the early 2010’s so fondly and it’s largely because of sounds like Zedd’s I can tie those memories back to.
And I’m willing to say that each time I’ve seen him, not only have those feelings grow stronger but his performance never disappoints.
I like to think of myself of a collector of live experiences. And since I’ve gotten the Las Vegas and Orlando edition Zedd performances, it will be interesting to see what happens to his visual performance with the Miami skyline within range.
I personally cannot wait for this one if only to belt out the same songs I have been for the last almost decade and a half.
Bring some tissues, please.
9. Odd Mob
If there is one go-to I have in my car playlist, it’s a heavy dose of Odd Mob.
Upon my descent into house music, this particular sound has my ear in a way only OM can. I admit that part of this is having mixes of other artists fusing Left to Right to whatever their flavor of choice might be, but all the same – the jams are there.
Having only seen bits and pieces of Odd Mob’s shows in the past, this is me declaring I would like to arrive for and complete the entire set as a means of priority.
Partially because I have completion anxiety. And not having this show accounted for actually stresses me out..
Which, can be good problem to have depending on your values.
I value live music more than just about anything.
House music in Miami has yet to fail me in providing a good time and I’m pretty sure it won’t start to now.
Also worth mentioning, their remix of Sean Paul’s Get Busy slaps in a way that improves upon the original. I am visualizing this moment it plays at Ultra with definite fervor and cannot wait to report back my experience.
8. Marauda
My background in musical fanaticism goes back to the days of being the only kid in my graduating class of 2021 who would admit to his favorite band being Metallica. In a word, heavy will always be my thing.
This being the case, I am fond of what Marauda brings to the table stylistically. I will also admit that this is an artist I’ve yet to spend a lot of time diving into the works of.
My interest largely comes from what I’ve heard Scott and Derrick of Slander mix into their live sets transitionally.
And being real with you, I’m reaching more of a point where I’d like to be presently surprised by a live performance and let that be the overriding reason I invest in an artist.
While Miami is more of a space for house and techno, my appetite for heaviness must be satisfied at least part of this weekend. Marauda will be one serving of what I expect will be limited, yet fulfilling brutal vibes for the weekend.
7. KSHMR
Speaking of I have heard so much about but never took the time to appreciate, next up is KSHMR.
As a producer, I’ve seen the credits.
And as far as recent memory goes, I saw video of this man breaking down how he came up with the beat for Like a G6.
The simplicity with which he did this monumental track was awe inspiring.
And for me, this is much like the last artist mentioned – I am going into this set with only a limited knowledge of songs committed to memory and the word being that what I witness will be worth the time invested.
Of course, when he goes into Secrets…I’ll lose it. Based on the opinions I’ve heard from those who have partaken, this should be a great investment to go into blind.
6. Gryffin
I’ve seen Gryffin four times, one of which was last Ultra. And much like with Zedd – I am here for all the sadboi anthems Gryffin can supply.
One thing I really do love about Gryffin that I can’t say about most artists I’ve seen multiple times is that he certainly switches up his setlist every set I’ve seen him.
Seeing him in Miami is different than Vegas and that’s way different than the Orlando set and everything feels unique to the first Chicago set.
Gryffin is a guy I love seeing not only because his songs are my vibe – but also because of his musicianship and energy on stage.
Not only will the show sonically be memorable, but he himself brings a presence to the stage that feels like he’s having just as much fun as we are.
I need that, he provides it.
5. Crankdat
Did I mention I like heavy? I also like fun. If you can combine the two in a tasteful way, I’ll likely be a fan of what you do.
Crankdat does this I think better than anyone and it’s why I’ve seen him three times. Not only will this guy drop something like Big Bang that feels like the world beneath you is being torn apart, but hearing him mix memes over the last few years is art in and of itself.
Like, I’m serious. I look forward to Pepper Spray and Baja Blast.
Are they stupid? Yes.
But am I having fun? Also yes.
There’s plenty of things I listen to because I simply want to have a good, heavy time. Crankdat provides this but even more so, he might be the most vibrant and charismatic stage presence on this list.
Like myself, he is a midwesterner. Makes sense, if you ask me.
4. Boris Brechja
This is a special one for me.
My good friend, to whom I have shared many experiences with in the dance music world over the two plus years, told me that it was when I started to really mature in this journey, I’d see the value in house and house adjacent music.
He told me this a year ago while we were in Chicago, remaking on meeting Boris the night before and unintentionally seeing him preform a super high quality set that same night.
Moments later, this man Boris appeared in front of us en route to a cab to go God knows where.
I’ll be with that friend this weekend, so sharing this with him is important to me. Another artist I barely know, but I have high hopes for.
3. Dimension
I’m not sure what it is about Dimension’s sound, but the thing that really gets me here is the diversity with which he can preform with.
It could be one fourth of a dnb ensemble. Or even mixing in with Slander’s heavier flow.
“I barely know what to expect but I like what I’ve been exposed to.”
This is about the vibes in Miami as much as it is making it up to my friends saying “I told you so.”
In 2025, I actually have three sets including Dimension to knock off.
This one in Miami I believe will be my favorite.
2. Alesso
I am by all accounts a huge Alesso fan. I’ve seen this guy four times and not yet in Bayfront Park. That changes Ultra 2025.
Much like Gryffin – I’d say his show is quite different event to event. While we’re all here for the big bangers like If I Lose Myself and Calling, I am also just as here for when he’s mixing different styles of house and prog house throughout his set.
Alesso does something so unique with his sounds that it can be hard to describe. I get both the highs of the singalong radio hits, but also get the cool, super grimy vibes of late night Miami. The low from one accentuates the high of the other and vice versa.
Adding this one to my collection will be so sweet. Keep those tissues handy, if you would.
1. Dom Dolla b2b John Summit
This is one of those sets where just saying “yeah I saw that” is a flex in and of itself.
I’ve been on a huge Summit kick since Where You Are dropped last summer. But even more so than that, I can say I genuinely love his sound.
Summit has remarked in the past that he struggles with when to go heavy and when to keep it house. If this doesn’t describe my internal battle, I don’t know what does. But with this performance with Dom Dolla, we know what we’re getting.
Super focused on a dirty house party in the middle of Miami.
Sign. Me. Up.
I say this knowing it has the potential to be the most crowded, jam packed set from wall to wall. I say “worth it”.
Having seen both artists separately, I know what I’m getting with the pieces. Putting them together should prove most interesting and most memorable. And that’s why its my #1 priority at Ultra 2025.
Get your tickets here: https://ultramusicfestival.com/tickets/miami/
