Ultra Music Festival 2013 was one the best festival experiences of my life, and I highly recommend anyone who has not gone, go! I have been to my fair share of insomniac events and 4 EDCs. It is simply an electronic music lovers adventure.

Compared to EDC? I would do Ultra again in a heartbeat if I had to choose between the two. Being from SoCal, I know EDC would definitely be more cost effective (Hotels that weekend are cheaper than the ungodly charges in Miami). But to me, Ultra > EDC because the DJs tend to just "bring it" more. Trance DJs brought out more Trance than cheese, and Electro House DJs played much harder than normal. Since many were on side stages, they didn't have to play to main stage crowds.

Space Ibiza and Toolroom Knights stages we're THE BEST way to pre-party with music fans during the weekend. Everyone knew their shit, and way less drug infested than EDC was. I guess the drug problem isn't as bad at Ultra, Ultra doesn't even have security to search you into the event. LA must really really have a bad reputation!

My favorite sets would have to be Tiesto, who dropped quite a bit of Trance. His set was just a big journey from bangers to melodic hits. Loved it. Prydz was pretty damn awesome, though friends who came with me thought he was a bit boring.

BUT the highlight? ASOT 600! I have been to ASOT550, but this ASOT fully kicked my ass! Markus did a full hour of slamming cold harbor tunes, followed by Above & Beyond with a very house-y but amazing Group Therapy set... Great production overall, the best I have seen for a Trance stage! Armin came on and played a very good set, but nothing like is NYC600 set where he just hit it hard towards the close of MSG! That ASOT600 was amazing, and totally wish I was out there!

However, the sets and nights felt SHORT at Ultra. So if you want to maximize your time at Ultra I suggest coming early to see opening acts (which BTW, still kick ass... Umek and W&W opening was freaking amazing!)

EDC is still great as that event closes at 6AM... You won't ever be left feeling teased like Ultra. EDC is still the ultimate gateway, and visual experience of the two... Though the Ultra Mainstage was quite kickass (Deadmau5 had an amazing setup!) Shit I might just go this year again... please have Trance on Friday! I can't do Trance Sundays insomniac! I gotta work!

Probably my only regret of Ultra was going to see SHM... yeah I ACTUALLY ENJOYED seeing that kind of Electro House one last time... but I think I am RETIRED from that kind of Electro cheese. Swedish' set was WAY too packed, and I kind of wish I was at PVD during their set. Though I was with great friends, and that made Ultra more special than any particular DJ. Just no more Swedish DJs for me! Avicii was straight up disappointing, and I am glad the trio are not playing anymore. I hope the mainstream fans had their fix and move onto something else. Seriously people we're paying like 300 dollars for Sunday tix just to see them from a mile away. WTF? I am glad that cash cow is retiring!

Also one more note... From what I observed... Miami clubs have nothing on LOS ANGELES clubs especially when you figure in cover charges [Miami charges are insane... typical $100 covers! And its definitely not on Vegas level... They tend to be tiny and overpacked]. I think I'll take Avalon any Friday or Saturday, and keep about 200 more dollars in my pocket as well! 15 DOLLAR WATERS? WTF... I guess the club promoters don't give a shit that a clubber could DIE not getting water. Definitely plan to hit Ultra early and avoid the scam that is Miami clubs and South Beach taxis are during the week [Watch out for flat rates!]. Partying in Miami might be hyped 'legendary', but LA/Vegas do it better and cheaper. TIP: Stay in DOWNTOWN and just forget South Beach until after Ultra... Or rent a car! Taxi use this time of the year solely to make tons of cash... I bet some were just smoking tons of meth to get as many pickups as possible.

South Beach itself is awesome though, and Miami Beach is BEAUTIFUL. Spending time on that Beach was sobering [The turquoise waters are awesome!], and the weather is amazing during March. Food in South Beach is really good (South Beach Pizza > LA Pizza. Also hit up Shake Shack if your an In N' Out fan! Great desserts and burgers).

Did anyone else get SICK from Ultra... everyone I knew had the phlemmy, feverish, coughs! Something was definitely going around. Though the party was just too awesome to care! I'm barely recovering as I write this.

Some videos from my viewpoint of ASOT600 the night:

Dash Berlin (Surprsingly played an amazing set, I usually can't stand his sing-along-athons).



MARKUS SCHULZ... crazy guy looks like a bat flying during his sets:



A&B... Cool GT set, I loved the stage lights during their set!



Armin, just killing it!



Stay tuned for my next review later this Summer... hitting up Ibiza for a week, and then to Global Gathering and maybe Tomorrowland? =)! I can't wait for ASOT at Privilege!

Last edited by sightless on Apr-01-2013 at 07:18

Ha. And I thought I was the one passing on the sickness to my friends. Or at least that's what they were telling me. Glad to know I wasn't the only one getting sick.

Btw, that country-ish song Avicii played was corny as sh*t too. Reminds me somewhat of Armin's new song. My friends wanted to catch some cheese, but next year I'll mainly be hanging around the Carl Cox tent. So upset that I missed out on Luciano and Sven Vaeth.

quote:

Originally posted by brian032 Ha. And I thought I was the one passing on the sickness to my friends. Or at least that's what they were telling me. Glad to know I wasn't the only one getting sick. Btw, that country-ish song Avicii played was corny as sh*t too. Reminds me somewhat of Armin's new song. My friends wanted to catch some cheese, but next year I'll mainly be hanging around the Carl Cox tent. So upset that I missed out on Luciano and Sven Vaeth.

Yeah... I think almost everyone I knew that went got sick! Something was definitely going around!

Yeah Avicii's set was stupid and a waste of time. He needs to stop doing festivals if he wants to play his own garbage (Might be good music, but not for a rave) like that and pull everyone over.

If I go next year, I am definitely hitting up more Carl Cox and Space Ibiza to go with the Trance. Boy-cotting Electro House cheese for the time being. Tracks are just a waste of my time currently.