Headstash

Skip to content

Back You are here: Home

Features

Festival Files

Headstash's ULTRA 2012 Review Guide

: By Matthew Rainey; Published on March 27, 2012

Comments

0

Headstash's ULTRA 2012 Review Guide

March 23-25 – Miami, FL
14th year – Estimated attendance: 150,000 total for three days

2012 Lineup:
Friday, March 23: Tiësto, Kraftwerk, Carl Cox, Skrillex, Afrojack, Mike Snow, Pretty Lights, New Order, Groove Armada (DJ set), Dirty South, Loco Dice, A-Trak, Dada Life, Porter Robinson, Neon Indian, Jack Beats, Chris Lake, Michael Woods, Nicky Romero, Tommy Trash, Katy B, DJ Icey, The Knocks, Afrobeta, Jon Rundell, Benny Bennasisi

Saturday, March 24: Justice, Avicii, Fatboy Slim, Duck Sauce, M83, Sven Väth, Laidback Luke, 2manydjs, Flux Pavilion, Borgore, Doctor P, Metronomy, Little Dragon, Hardwell, Datsik, Andy C, Zeds Dead, 12th Planet, Magda, Skream! and Benga, Zedd, Mord Fustang, Cedric Gervais, Netsky, High Contrast, Mt. Eden, Camo and Krooked, Big Chocolate, Carbon Airways, Yousef

Sunday, March 25: David Guetta, Armin Van Buuren, Kaskade, Bassnectar, Chase and Status, Bloody Beetroots (DJ set), Fedde le Grand, Knife Party, Magnetic Man, John Digweed, Steve Aoki, Ferry Corsten, Gareth Emery, Sander Van Doom, Flying Lotus, SBTRKT Live, Adam Beyer, Steve Lawler, Joris Voorn, Jamie Jones, Seth Troxler, Damian Lazarus, Nic Fanciulli, Layo and Bushwacka!, Marcus Schossow, Popof, Art Department, Big Gigantic, Savoy Live, Tritonal, Jochen Miller, Keys N Krates, Elio Riso, Remo, Eco, RioTGeaR

Rest of the lineup: Aleksus Sanchez, Alvin Risk, Ammie Graves, Andres Fresko, Andrew Parsons, Annie Mac, ATB, Azari & Ill DJ Set, Bass Control, Bass Nacho, Bassjackers, Beltek, Benny Benassi, Bingo Players, Bishop Magnetic, Brodinski, Busy P, Cassy, Cazzette, Christopher James, CO/OP, Cosmic Gate, Dabura, Darick Gyorgy, Dash Berlin, Deekline, Deniz Koyu, Deniz Kurtel Live, Digitalism DJ Set, Dillon Francis, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, DJ Dragon, DJ Icey, DJ Koo, DJ LC, DJ Naomie K, DJ Shadow, DJ Stellar, DJ Wags, DJ Xta-C, DMP, Dubfire, Electric Soulside, Erick Morillo, Felguk, Felix Cartel, Flynn Nolan, Foniko, Gesafflestein, Gossip, Gui Boratto, Gypsy, Hard Rock Sofa, Hatiras, Heather Holiday, Hil Huerta, Hugh Cleal, IDeaL & J-Break, Jackmaster, Jakpot, Jared Coetzee, Jason Daniel, Jeff Thompson, Jefferson Funk, Jefr Tale, Jelo, Jeremy Olander, Jes Live, Jimmie Page, Joachim Garraud, Joe Bermudez, Junior Sanchez, K-Ahz, Kcis, Krafty Kuts, Lance Blaise & Gabriel Ben, Laura of Miami, Lazerdisc Party Sex, Lazy Rich, Lee Foss, Lightfield Live, Loco Dice, Love & Light, Luke Da Duke, Madeon, Maetrik, Manuel De La Mare, Martin Solveig, Maya Jane Cole, Metaphysical, MiM0SA, Miss Nine, Muggs, Mykris, Nadastrom, Nate Campbell, Nervo, Nobody Beats The Drum, Noel Sanger, Paper Diamond, Paul Thomas, Pedro M, Pendulum DJ Set, Phunk Investigation, Pierce Fulton, Plump DJs, Professor Genius Brains, Proxxy & Lantern, Ranidu, Renato Ratier, Rhino & Miss Cooper, Rhoan Troy, Richard Dinsdale, Richard Fraioli, Richie Hawtin, Robert Dale, Rod B. & Re Dupre, Rogrigo Vieira & Ferris, Ryan Morales, Sandro Silva, Schwann, Shira - Masss, Shut Da Mouth, Sidney Samson, Sinden, Spencer & Hill, Spinfantastic, SpinnZinn, Stanton Warriors, Stefano Noferini, Stripe, Subguys, Sultan & Ned Shepard, Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano, Swanky Jones, Swanky Tunes, Switch, Sydney Blu, Tale Of Us, Tensnake, The Flash Brothers, Transoverload, Treasure Fingers, Umek, Vida & Hannah Rad, Wolfgang Gartner, Wyzzard

Festival Website: http://www.ultramusicfestival.com

--

Weather

Festivalgoers braved the Miami afternoon sun all three days in line, only to be later graced by the warm, moderate nights Florida is famous for. While early afternoon Sunday started off a little cloudy, the weather held out long enough for one final day of madness in Bayfront Park.

Highlights

Steve Aoki. Asian Jesus’ set was certainly one of the most memorable events of the festival. Filled with Aoki’s usual antics, including cake throwing, “whiteraverrafting” (crowd surfing in a giant inflatable raft) and pouring champagne all over his fans.

The energy on the Main Stage was palpable and though he danced around without doing too much manipulation, it was a daylight party that set the scene for a wild night to come.

Little Dragon. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect going into Little Dragon, but was surprised at the attendance of their set, considering it was early in the day. Truly “live” music performed with real instruments and vocalists didn’t make up a large part of Ultra’s lineup, so this was a rarity.

Photo Credit: Matthew Rainey

I was immediately impressed with the band’s overall unique sound and obviously large, devoted fan base – something that couldn’t be said about many of the other artists performing while the Miami sun was still so high in the sky.

Pretty Lights. Derek Vincent Smith, better known by his stage name, Pretty Lights, closed out the first night of Ultra with an awe-inspiring performance. Smith opened with an extended version of his hit “Hot Like Sauce,” diving into his set with live remixing and a blinding light show.

Favoring more of the upbeat songs in his catalog, Pretty Lights kept the energy level high and the crowd moving – a decision that the thousands of fans in attendance certainly didn’t object to.

New, improved venue. Fellow festivalgoers praised Bayfront Park’s delightful view of the water and surplus of concrete, organized areas for food, drinks and merchandise. This year’s festival was much more structured and better maintained than in previous years, with a massive cleaning crew doing constant rounds throughout the park.

Diverse crowd. While there were still plenty Florida locals making up Ultra’s massive crowd, many people I talked to had traveled from all over the world, including Holland, Switzerland and Portugal all to enjoy the Miami weather and the world’s finest selection of electronic dance music.

Bassnectar’s festival-closing performance. Bassnectar packed the Live Stage on the final night of Ultra, performing a setlist full of material from his newest album, “Divergent Spectrum,” as well as some old favorites.

Many of the park’s security guards could be seen moving to the beat as Bassnectar rounded out the final few songs of his set. He ended the night by releasing a mind-blowing amount of confetti into the air before wishing everyone a fond farewell – a perfect end to amazing three days.

Lowlights

Extermination. Deadmau5 did not take part in this year’s Ultra Music Festival, citing it’s high ticket prices and strict contracts with artists as reasons he decided to opt out after many years as a headliner. VIP tickets were almost $600.00, so he had a point.

M83-minute delay. What appeared to be last-minute technical adjustment for the beginning of M83’s first performance in Miami soon turned into a 45-minute frenzy by the stage crew and sound technicians.

As the minutes ticked by, an anxious crowd waited what seemed like an eternity until M83 finally took the stage long enough to perform just three songs. While the French group’s first performance at Ultra surely wasn’t their best, the band’s determination and enormous amount of energy still made the performance worthwhile.

Surprises

50-year-old (like a) virgin. Madonna made a surprise appearance at the start of Avicii’s set at the Main Stage late Sunday night, confirming the rampant rumors about her traveling down to Miami to promote her new album. Her not-so-subtle reference to illegal substances was also a bit of a shocker and many (like Deadmau5 for example) blasted her the next day for it.

The pretty lights. Taking advantage of the new venue in downtown Miami, Ultra dazzled the crowd with massive light shows, using the surrounding skyscrapers as a canvas for an array of colorful patterns and designs.

On Friday, Ultra went out with a bang as the explosive noise of fireworks echoed through the downtown streets of Miami as the massive crowds dispersed into the city.

Notable Sit-Ins

Aside from the aforementioned Madonna appearance, Lil Jon made an appearance during Afrojack’s set early Friday night and Steve Aoki’s set Sunday afternoon, helping to hype the crowd. Timbaland also made a surprise appearance during Dev’s performance.

Atmosphere

This festival was absolute insanity, and the good weather and positive atmosphere created from the staff and other festivalgoers ensured everyone was in good spirits. With a lot of sitting areas as well as a variety of food, stages and genres to choose from, there was festival subculture for everyone to enjoy.

Best Pictures