DJ LIFE Mag breaks down our 10 must-see acts for you to catch at Ultra Music Festival in Miami on March 24-26, 2023.
Ultra Music Festival 2023 is just around the corner, and DJ LIFE Mag suggests 10 must-see acts you should catch this year in Miami. From Friday, March 24 through Sunday, March 26, Ultra makes its grand return to Bayfront Park in downtown Miami.
This year, the Ultra 2023 headliners include: Adam Beyer b2b Cirez D, Afrojack, Alesso, Armin van Buuren, Black Tiger Sex Machine presents Portals (live), Camelphat, Carl Cox, Charlotte De Witte, Claude vonStroke, CloZee, David Guetta, Dom Dolla b2b Vintage Culture, Dubfire b2b Kölsch, Eric Prydz pres. HOLO, Gareth Emery, Gigantic NGHTMRE (Big Gigantic & NGHTMRE, live), Grimes, Gryffin, Hardwell, HI-LO b2b TESTPILOT, Jauz b2b Svddendeath, Joris Voorn, Kaskade & Deadmau5 pres. Kx5, Kayzo (live), Liquid Stranger, M.I.A. (live), Marshmello, Martin Garrix, Michael Bibi, Nicole Moudaber b2b Chris Liebing, Oliver Heldens b2b Tchami, Rezz, Stephon Bodzin, Subtronics, Tale Of Us, Tiësto, Timmy Trumpet, Vini Vici, and Zedd.
In addition to the massive headliner roster, Ultra 2023 boasts a stellar support roster consisting of more than 50 additional acts. On top of their much-anticipated annual Main Stage design, Ultra Miami brings talent across their other stages: RESISTANCE MegaStructure, Live Stage, Worldwide Stage, RESISTANCE Cove, and UMF Radio Stage. Let’s not forget about this year’s stage curators, including A State Of Trance, Dirty Workz, In The Mood, Jacked, Revealed, and Spectrum.
Check out our top picks for the DJ LIFE Mag 10 Must-See Acts to Catch at Ultra Music Festival 2023
Kaskade & Deadmau5 present Kx5
Two of the biggest names in electronic music recently joined forces on a new venture – and this year, they’re bringing the project to Miami for Ultra Music Festival. Kaskade & Deadmau5 present Kx5 is something you certainly won’t want to miss. Responsible for recent hits such as “Alive” ft. The Moth & The Flame, “Escape” ft. Hayla, “Take Me High,” and a collaboration with Elderbrook, “When I Talk,” this set is sure to be packed full of noteworthy gems.
Armin van Buuren
An Ultra headliner for nearly two decades, Armin van Buuren returns to the notorious UMF main stage for an exclusive performance. After all, what would Ultra be without the king of trance? After just releasing his 2-part album Feel Again in 2022, AvB is back to bring you the latest and greatest in trance and progressive. The co-founder of Armada Music, and his A State Of Trance radio show, van Buuren’s ASOT will also serve as a stage host again this year. In keeping with tradition, Armin, along with some of your trance favorites, will take over the Ultra Worldwide stage this year for another unforgettable weekend.
Eric Prydz presents HOLO
You should brace yourself for what’s in store during Eric Prydz pres. HOLO. Having already dropped a trailer video, as seen above; there’s been nothing but high praise for the legendary DJ and producer. On Friday, March 24, HOLO will headline the RESISTANCE MegaStructure for what’s guaranteed to be a mind-blowing audiovisual performance. As a versatile artist, Eric Prydz might have many different monikers, however, there’s nothing quite like experiencing one of his HOLO showcases.
Tiësto
Smash hit after smash hit, Tiësto is practically a household name. Over the past couple of years alone, the Musical Freedom boss is responsible for some of your favorites, including “The Business,” “The Motto” with Ava Max, “Don’t Be Shy” with Carol G, “Hot In It” with Charli XCX, “10:35” with Tate McRae, “Pump It Louder” with Black Eyed Peas, “Lay Low,” and many, many more. Slated to drop his latest studio album Drive on February 24, his set is guaranteed to include new music, a bunch of his recent hits, as well as some of his classic material that we’ve all grown to know and love.
Swedish House Mafia
It was announced at the very end of last year’s Ultra that Swedish House Mafia would be making their return to the festival. As their three signature dots appeared over the Main Stage with drone lighting, attendees were roaring with anticipation for the coming year. Since then, SHM have gone on to release their debut album Paradise Again, as well as co-headline Coachella with The Weeknd. Known to many for their familiar favorites “Don’t You Worry Child,” “Save The World,” “One” with Pharrell, and “Moth To A Flame” with The Weeknd, it’s sure to be a set full of both new and old tunes, as well as plenty of their signature mash-ups.
Becky Hill (Live)
BRIT Award-winning songwriter, vocalist, and artist, Becky Hill, is slated to grace the Ultra Live Stage with her presence this coming Ultra weekend. As one of UK’s most sought-after performers, Becky Hill is responsible for some of your favorite tunes, and has collaborated with the likes of David Guetta, Joel Corry, Galantis, Sigala, Shift K3Y, Topic, MEDUZA, Jonas Blue, Oliver Heldens, Rudimental, Matoma, Pete Tong, and so many others. We’re looking forward to what the UK songstress brings to the Live stage this year.
Joel Corry
More recently exploding onto the scene, UK’s very own Joel Corry has been known to thrown down very high-energy DJ sets. On top of this, Joel Corry has released some colossal originals and remixes, which have dominated in dance radio and on streaming platforms. If you’re looking for a fun set that might include some of his very own hits and collaborations, you just might hear “Head & Heart” ft. MNEK, “BED” with David Guetta & RAYE, “Lonely,” “Lionheart (Fearless)” with Tom Grennan, “I Wish” ft. Mabel, Becky Hill “HISTORY,” “What Would You Do?” with David Guetta and Bryson Tiller, “OUT OUT” with Jax Jones ft. Charli XCX & Saweetie, and “The Parade,” among others. Corry has also remixed for the likes of Elton John & Britney Spears (“Hold Me Closer”), Megan Thee Stallion (“Body”), Charli XCX (“Good Ones”), Nina Simone (“Feeling Good”), Tiësto ft. Tate McRae (“10:35”), H.E.R. (“Damage”), Ed Sheeran (“Bad Habits”), and Sam Smith (“Diamonds”), just to name a few.
Rezz
Rezz always takes full control of the stage as she captivates the crowd through spellbinding tunes and hypnotizing visuals. No stranger to domineering a musical festival, Rezz has played Ultra, Coachella, and recently headlined the world-famous Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado. With three studio albums under her belt, Mass Manipulation (2017), Certain Kind Of Magic (2018), and Spiral (2022), Rezz continues to build a budding repertoire full of bass-heavy hits.
Carl Cox
What’s there to say about Carl Cox that hasn’t already been said? When it comes to Ultra in Miami, Carl Cox is a festival staple. It just wouldn’t be Ultra season in Miami without Carl Cox, which is why you shouldn’t pass up on the opportunity to catch this techno titan dominate the event. It’s clear why Carl Cox has been an Ibiza go-to for decades, and why underground aficionados gravitate to his genius. Known for his striking, extended sets, Carl practically leads the RESISTANCE at Ultra.
Nicole Moudaber b2b Chris Liebing
Two techno and underground greats, Nicole Moudaber and Chris Liebing will go back-to-back during this year’s Ultra Music Festival in Miami. Nicole Moudaber, who is famously known for her In The MOOD brand and events, will also serve as a stage host for this year’s festivities. The pair previously played a b2b set live from ITM New York, which aired as episode 395 of Moudaber’s In the MOOD radio show. Chris Liebing, German techno DJ and producer who has been playing shows since the early 90s, is also a radio host and founder of the label CLR.
For more information, tickets, and VIP, visit https://www.ultramusicfestival.com.
Photos by aLIVE Coverage, courtesy of Ultra Music Festival