Ultra Music Festival has long been a spiritual home for dance music fans and DJs alike. As the event celebrates its 25th anniversary, three icons of the electronic scene — Carl Cox, Armin van Buuren, and Afrojack — reflected on their most unforgettable memories from the Miami stage that helped define modern dance music culture.
Afrojack: “Ultra Starts It All Off”
For Afrojack, the story of Ultra is deeply personal. His first real performance came in 2011 at the Carl Cox & Friends stage, following a quick 10-minute changeover slot for David Guetta. That same year, Ultra unveiled its now-famous MegaStructure, setting the tone for a new era of large-scale festival production.
“Ultra starts it all off,” Afrojack said, recalling how the festival launched his global career. He also shared memories of Avicii’s emotional debut of “Wake Me Up” — a track that was initially booed but later went on to redefine EDM and crossover dance music forever.
Armin van Buuren: Defining Moments in Dance Music History
Few DJs have been as central to Ultra’s legacy as Armin van Buuren. For him, Ultra was always about the moments that captured the pulse of an entire generation of fans.
He vividly remembered Madonna joining Avicii on stage in 2015, Swedish House Mafia premiering “One”, and Hardwell’s surprise return, which sent shockwaves across the global EDM community.
“One of my favorite moments was doing the GAIA set, because people are very open,” Armin reflected, pointing to the festival’s willingness to embrace innovation and deeper, more experimental sounds.
Carl Cox: The Energy of Ultra’s Dancefloor
As one of the longest-running ambassadors of Ultra Music Festival, Carl Cox has been integral to shaping its energy and identity. His iconic Carl Cox & Friends stage has consistently brought forward both legends and rising stars, cementing the festival’s reputation as a global showcase for electronic music’s best.
When asked about defining records from the past 25 years, Carl named Joe Brunning’s “Now Let Me See You Work”, a track that still resonates with his signature brand of high-energy techno.
Tracks That Defined Ultra’s 25 Years
When the three DJs were asked to select the tracks that best defined Ultra’s cultural impact, their answers highlighted the festival’s influence in shaping global dance music trends.
- Afrojack: Eric Prydz’s “Pjanoo”
- Armin van Buuren: Swedish House Mafia’s “One”
- Carl Cox: Joe Brunning’s “Now Let Me See You Work”
These tracks, timeless in their own right, became anthems thanks to Ultra’s massive platform. They represent not just memories, but milestones in the evolution of electronic dance music.
Looking Ahead: The Next Generation
Even as these legends look back, the conversation naturally turned to the future. With artists like Martin Garrix already stepping into headliner roles, the hope is that a new generation of DJs and producers will carry forward the legacy of Ultra.
Ultra Music Festival remains more than just an event — it is a cultural movement, a place where records are broken, moments are etched into history, and dance music continues to reinvent itself.
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