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5 Things You Didn’t Know About Ultra Music Festival
Picture this: The sun dipping below an illuminated Miami skyline, the distant thump of bass teasing the air at a nearby stage, and the swaying hands, neon lights, and confetti dancing in unison. A gentle breeze carries the collective cheers, creating a harmonious atmosphere that engulfs Bayfront Park. In this moment, time loses its grip, and only the pulsating beats and the collective heartbeat of the crowd remain. This is Ultra Music Festival.
Now, Ultra Music Festival (UMF) has become a beacon of electronic dance music, with Ultra Worldwide events hosted across the world from Croatia, Japan, and South Africa to Taiwan and beyond. Each year, this festival captivates tens of thousands with its spectacular performances and unparalleled energy. Beyond the dazzling lights and booming beats, however, there are some intriguing facts that often remain in the shadows. Let’s explore five lesser-known facts about Ultra Music Festival that add depth to its legendary status:
- Ultra Music Festival was born 25 years ago, and is celebrating its 24th season this year
In its inaugural year in 1999, the first Ultra Music Festival showcased just eight DJs across two stages, drawing a crowd of over 10,000 attendees. The event took place in Miami Beach and was the brainchild of founders Russell Faibisch and Alex Omes. Initially conceived as a one-day celebration to spotlight both DJs and performers, the festival has since experienced rapid growth.
- Trolls never sleep at UMF
In one of the most iconic trolling moves in the electronic music scene, DJ Snake pranked Dillon Francis by displaying his phone number on the big screen during his 2015 main stage set. He then invited Francis to join him for their collaboration, ‘Get Low.’ While the performance was a hit, Francis found himself bombarded with calls and messages from fans. This notorious incident ranks high among music trolls, along with deadmau5‘s 2014 stunt of playing Martin Garrix‘s ‘Animals’ to the melody of ‘Old McDonald Had A Farm’.
- Martin Garrix became the youngest DJ to ever perform at the festival in 2014
At the age of 16, Martin Garrix skyrocketed to fame with his release ‘Animals,’ becoming the youngest DJ to grace the Ultra Miami main stage. His unforgettable 2014 set featured monumental tracks like ‘Turn Up The Speakers’ with Afrojack, ‘Proxy,’ and ‘Wizard’ with Jay Hardway. He also made waves that year by bringing Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike on stage to premiere their yet-to-be-released collaboration ‘Tremor.’ The Dutch DJ and producer has since performed at Ultra almost every year since, with the exception of 2018. Garrix is set to headline UMF this March too.
- UMF has their very own sustainability program
‘Mission: Home’ is Ultra’s very own sustainability initiative that strives to make conscious efforts to minimize waste, combat pollution, conserve natural resources, involve the community, and address climate change. The program is centered around five core goals: Waste Reduction, Pollution Prevention, Nature Preservation, Community Engagement, and Climate Action. It has garnered recognition and accolades on the global, national, and local stages. Most recently, UMF secured the Sustainability Team Award at the World Sustainability Awards in Amsterdam, which highlights the festival’s exceptional commitment to integrating sustainability into its core values.
- Ultra got its name in an unexpected way
Russell Faibisch, one of Ultra‘s organizers, recalled during an interview with the Miami New Times that the pivotal moment for the festival’s name came to him during Depeche Mode‘s ‘Devotion Tour’ at the Miami Arena in 1993. “It was then that everything clicked for me,” Faibisch said. The festival derived its name from Depeche Mode‘s 1997 album title, ‘Ultra’.
Ultra Europe 2026 Drops Phase 2 Lineup with Armin van Buuren, Hardwell, DJ Snake and more confirmed for Split this July
Ultra Europe 2026 has dropped its Phase 2 lineup, adding more names to its return to Split, Croatia from July 10 to 12, 2026 at Park Mladeži. Now heading into its 12th edition, the festival’s latest announcement brings in Armin van Buuren, Hardwell, DJ Snake, AFROJACK, and Subtronics, joining a Phase 1 lineup that already included Calvin Harris, Martin Garrix, FISHER, John Summit, and Amelie Lens. The update gives the 2026 edition a much fuller look across the Ultra Main Stage and RESISTANCE, while keeping more names saved for the next announcement.
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Phase 2 Adds Trance, Big-Room, Bass, Techno and House to Ultra Europe 2026
The Ultra Europe 2026 Phase 2 lineup strengthens both sides of the festival. The new additions bring more mainstage names into the July weekend, while RESISTANCE also gets a heavier presence through techno and house bookings. With Phase 1 already led by names such as Calvin Harris, Martin Garrix, FISHER, John Summit, and Amelie Lens, this second announcement gives the 2026 edition a fuller lineup across its main festival stages.
Phase 2 additions:
- Adam Beyer
- AFROJACK
- Armin van Buuren
- CamelPhat
- DJ Snake
- Hardwell
- Jamie Jones
- Nico Moreno
- Oliver Heldens
- Subtronics
- HALO
- Maddix
Subtronics Stands Out Among Returning Ultra Europe Regulars
While several Phase 2 additions are familiar names for Ultra Europe, Subtronics still gives the 2026 announcement one of its more interesting talking points. He played Ultra Europe 2024, appearing on the same day as AFROJACK and DJ Snake, so his 2026 booking is not a debut. What makes it worth noting is the context around the booking. Ultra Europe has long been associated with mainstage EDM, house, techno, and its RESISTANCE programming, while large-scale bass bookings have not been as constant in the festival’s Croatia lineup. Bringing Subtronics back after 2024 keeps that part of the lineup visible and gives the July weekend a different pull next to the festival’s more established returning names.
For many of the other additions, Ultra Europe 2026 reads as a return to artists with a longer history in Split. Armin van Buuren, Hardwell, AFROJACK, and DJ Snake have all appeared at past editions, while Adam Beyer, CamelPhat, Jamie Jones, and Oliver Heldens have also been part of previous Ultra Europe lineups in recent years. That matters because Phase 2 is not relying only on newness. It brings back names already tied to the festival’s mainstage and RESISTANCE identity, then places Subtronics inside that structure as one of the less typical bookings for the Croatia edition. For a lineup that already had Calvin Harris, Martin Garrix, FISHER, John Summit, and Amelie Lens in Phase 1, this second announcement makes the 2026 edition feel more complete without giving away the full final lineup yet.
Ultra Europe 2026 Still Has More Names To Come Before July
With Phase 2 now out, Ultra Europe 2026 has a much clearer outline, but the lineup is still not complete. The festival has already confirmed a strong mix of mainstage names, RESISTANCE artists, and newer additions across the first two announcements, while the poster also confirms that Phase 3 is still on the way. That next update will likely help fill out the remaining stage programming, daily structure, and support acts as the festival moves closer to its July return to Split.
For now, the 2026 edition already has enough confirmed names to show how Ultra Europe is building its 12th edition. Calvin Harris, Martin Garrix, Armin van Buuren, Hardwell, DJ Snake, Amelie Lens, Sara Landry, Adam Beyer, FISHER, John Summit, and Subtronics give the lineup both familiar Ultra names and bookings that widen the festival’s appeal. More artists are still expected to be announced before Ultra Europe 2026 takes over Park Mladeži from July 10 to 12, with tickets and updates available through the festival’s official channels.
Tomorrowland Thailand 2026 Confirmed Artists So Far include Swedish House Mafia, Martin Garrix, Afrojack, and more
As we gear up for the historic debut of Tomorrowland Thailand from December 11 to 13, 2026, the first confirmed artists are already setting the frame for one of Asia’s most closely watched festival debuts. Ahead of the complete lineup announcement, Tomorrowland has shared an early group of confirmed names for the Thailand edition, including Swedish House Mafia, Martin Garrix, Afrojack, Lost Frequencies, NERVO, and Dimitri Vegas. Unlike the usual Tomorrowland lineup reveal, where the full artist list is released alongside stage hosts and wider festival details, the Thailand confirmations have been shared through separate official moments. Axwell mentioned the Swedish House Mafia appearance during a One World Radio interview, while other names were introduced through Tomorrowland and Tomorrowland Thailand posts, giving the debut edition a more gradual artist reveal before the full lineup is published.
Swedish House Mafia Are Set For Their First Thailand Show As A Trio
Among the first Tomorrowland Thailand 2026 confirmed artists, Swedish House Mafia carries the clearest headline value because the December booking would bring Axwell, Sebastian Ingrosso, and Steve Angello to Thailand together under the Swedish House Mafia name for the first time. All three members have played in the country across separate appearances, and Axwell Λ Ingrosso previously performed in Thailand as a duo, but the trio has never performed here together as Swedish House Mafia. That gives the confirmation more local context for Thai audiences who have followed the members’ individual and duo appearances over the years. The confirmation came through a conversational exchange on One World Radio, when the host asked Axwell where the group was going next in the Tomorrowland world. Axwell first pointed to Asia, then narrowed it down to Thailand, saying, “I think it might be somewhere in the Asian regions. Uh more like Thailand actually,” before adding, “We’re going to be there in December.” When the host asked if that meant Tomorrowland Thailand, Axwell replied, “Yeah. Yeah. That’s the thing.” The host then repeated the point back for clarity, saying Swedish House Mafia’s next stop in the Tomorrowland world would be Tomorrowland Thailand, with Axwell later adding that he had seen Wisdom Valley, loves going to Thailand, loves Tomorrowland, and said, “So let’s mix the two.”
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NERVO Announced Their Tomorrowland Thailand Set On The Tomorrowland Winter MainStage
NERVO were one of the first names confirmed for Tomorrowland Thailand 2026, with the announcement made during their Tomorrowland Winter MainStage set instead of through a standard lineup graphic. Mim Nervo set up the reveal by telling the crowd that “there’s something new happening” before she and Liv Nervo turned around to show the message printed across their shirts: “She Is Playing At Tomorrowland Thailand.” The moment was later shared by Tomorrowland Thailand as the first artist reveal for the 2026 line-up, placing NERVO in the earliest group of artists confirmed for the festival’s debut edition from December 11 to 13, 2026. Their booking also connects the Thailand launch to Tomorrowland’s wider history, since NERVO have been regular names across the festival’s stages over the years and were part of The Way We See The World, the 2011 Tomorrowland anthem with Afrojack and Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike.
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Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike Were Confirmed After A Tomorrowland Winter Stage Moment
Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike were confirmed for Tomorrowland Thailand 2026 after another Tomorrowland Winter stage reveal, this time during Dimitri Vegas’ set. Although Dimitri Vegas was the one performing in the clip, the announcement pointed to the duo’s Thailand booking, with the message “See You In Thailand” appearing near the decks as he gestured toward it. The follow-up post from Tomorrowland Thailand then confirmed Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike for the 2026 edition, placing them among the first names announced for the festival’s debut in December. Their place on the early list makes sense given how closely they are tied to Tomorrowland, where they have been staple MainStage names for years and have helped carry the festival’s big-room identity across multiple editions. The next detail to watch is whether Smash The House will also appear in the stage host program when Tomorrowland Thailand releases the complete lineup and stage host details.
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Lost Frequencies Was Confirmed Through A Tomorrowland Winter Travel Guide Reveal
Lost Frequencies was confirmed as one of the first Tomorrowland Thailand 2026 confirmed artists through a Tomorrowland Winter reveal centered on a Thailand travel guide. The moment pointed directly to the Belgian artist’s next Tomorrowland destination, with the later Tomorrowland Thailand post confirming that he will perform at the festival’s debut edition from December 11 to 13, 2026. His place in the early artist list carries a strong connection to the festival’s Belgian roots, as Lost Frequencies has become one of the country’s most internationally recognized electronic acts while remaining a regular name across Tomorrowland over the years. His previous Tomorrowland Belgium MainStage sets have often brought out the more melodic, vocal-led side of the festival, from crossover records to singalong moments that translate well beyond the EDM core. For Tomorrowland Thailand, that history gives his booking a familiar link to the main festival in Boom, and it leaves a lot of anticipation around how that same Lost Frequencies magic will translate to Wisdom Valley in December.
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Afrojack Was Confirmed Through A Tomorrowland Thailand Studio Intro Reveal
Afrojack was confirmed for Tomorrowland Thailand 2026 through a studio-based reveal, marking a different type of announcement from the earlier Tomorrowland Winter moments. In the clip, the Dutch producer was shown working on an intro before the camera revealed the project name saved as Tomorrowland Thailand intro v1, turning the studio session into the confirmation. His place among the first Tomorrowland Thailand 2026 confirmed artists fits closely with the festival’s history, as Afrojack has been a staple name at Tomorrowland for years and remains one of the most recognizable Dutch artists connected to its MainStage sound. The confirmation also links back to several early names already announced for Thailand, including NERVO and Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, with all three connected through The Way We See The World, the 2011 Tomorrowland theme. For the Thailand debut, Afrojack’s reveal adds another long-running Tomorrowland figure to the list while raising interest around whether the intro he was working on will be used for his own set or for a wider festival moment in December.
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Martin Garrix Was Confirmed Through A Bangkok Tuk-Tuk Reveal
Martin Garrix was one of the next major names confirmed for Tomorrowland Thailand 2026, with his announcement moving the rollout from Tomorrowland Winter moments to Bangkok itself. The reveal showed Martin Garrix inside a tuk-tuk in Bangkok, with the Tomorrowland Reflection of Love stage visible on his shirt, tying the announcement directly to Thailand and to one of Tomorrowland’s most recognizable stage concepts. His confirmation gives the debut edition another artist closely connected to Tomorrowland’s modern MainStage history, from repeated appearances in Boom to festival moments that have made tracks like High On Life, Pizza, and Scared To Be Lonely part of the wider Tomorrowland catalog for many listeners. For Tomorrowland Thailand, his Bangkok reveal also feels like the strongest local visual so far, because it places the announcement inside the city instead of using a clue from another festival setting.
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Alok Was Confirmed Through A Hotel-Room Teaser Featuring Pad Krapow
Alok was confirmed for Tomorrowland Thailand 2026 through a hotel-room teaser that used a Thai food order as the reveal setup. In the clip, he is seen making music in his hotel room before ordering pad krapow, with the order leading to the Tomorrowland Thailand confirmation. The reveal placed Alok among the early names announced for the festival’s December 2026 debut, following the same artist-by-artist rollout that has already introduced names through stage moments, visual clues, and Thailand-specific teasers. His early confirmation also fits Tomorrowland’s wider lineup direction, since Alok has played major Tomorrowland editions before and remains one of Brazil’s most recognizable electronic artists on the global festival circuit. The next detail to watch is where Alok will be placed once Tomorrowland Thailand releases the full stage breakdown and stage host details.
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What To Watch For Next In The Tomorrowland Thailand 2026 Lineup
With the first Tomorrowland Thailand 2026 confirmed artists now revealed, the next major piece is how the full lineup will be arranged across the festival’s stage structure. Tomorrowland Thailand has already confirmed six stages for its debut edition, including the Mainstage, CORE, and Freedom, while the remaining stages have not been announced yet. That makes the next update important because it should show whether Thailand follows a familiar Tomorrowland structure with major MainStage names, label-linked stage hosts, and deeper programming across CORE and Freedom, or whether the debut edition introduces more Thailand-specific stage concepts alongside the global festival brands.
That also opens the door for more speculation around frequent Tomorrowland artists without treating anyone as confirmed. Names like Armin van Buuren, Alesso, Hardwell, Steve Aoki, Timmy Trumpet, Don Diablo, Meduza, MORTEN, Tale Of Us, Anyma, Adriatique, Agents Of Time, Solomun, and Keinemusik are the kinds of acts people will naturally watch for because they have appeared across major Tomorrowland editions or fit the confirmed stage worlds of Mainstage, Freedom, and CORE. For now, the early announcements show that Tomorrowland Thailand is starting with artists strongly connected to the festival’s history, but the full lineup and stage host reveal will be where the December debut at Wisdom Valley becomes much easier to understand.
EDM Festivals in September 2025 are guaranteed to keep the momentum rolling as summer transitions into fall.
From legendary brands making global moves to underground takeovers and bass-heavy spectacles, here’s your guide to the top EDM festivals you won’t want to miss this September.
Tomorrowland x Insomniac
Dates: Aug 29 – Oct 18 (majority of shows in September)
Location: Las Vegas, USA
Two titans of dance music, Tomorrowland and Insomniac, join forces inside Las Vegas’ cutting-edge Sphere for a once-in-a-lifetime set of shows. Expect immersive visuals, boundary-pushing production, and a lineup featuring DJ Snake, Alan Walker, Subtronics, and more. This historic collaboration sets a new benchmark for festival experiences.
Ultra Japan
Dates: September 13–14
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Ultra returns to Tokyo Odaiba Ultra Park with its signature brand of high-energy stages, global superstars, and local talent. The 2025 edition brings Hardwell, Martin Garrix, Calvin Harris, DJ Snake, and more alongside Asia’s rising EDM acts. With Japan’s passionate crowds and futuristic setting, Ultra Japan is always a standout.
Experts Only
Dates: September 20–21
Location: New York City, USA
With the record label going from strength to strength, John Sumit‘s Experts Only brand is now expanding with it’s very first festival. Taking place in the heart of NYC, the debut will see a headline performance from John Summit himself along with Kaskade b2b Cassian, Pete Tong, Green Velvet b2b Layton Giordani, and more.
Lost Lands
Dates: September 19-21
Location: Legend Valley, Ohio, USA
Excision’s bass music mecca is back, bringing the dinosaurs, the pyro, and enough sub-bass to shake the earth. Lost Lands 2025 promises the heaviest dubstep, riddim, and drum & bass lineups of the year with sets from Acraze, SVDDEN DEATH, Rezz, and of course, Excision himself. Expect massive production, late-night sound camps, and a community vibe like no other.
Together Festival
Dates: September 5–6
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
One of Southeast Asia’s biggest EDM gatherings, Together Festival takes over Bangkok with a mix of mainstage giants and regional talent. Past editions have hosted Martin Garrix, Zedd, and Marshmello, with 2025 inviting Afrojack, Paul Van Dyk, Sub Zero Project, Topic, and more.
PRIMER Music Festival
Dates: September 6–7
Location: Athens, Greece
Set against the backdrop of the historic Greek capital, PRIMER has quickly become a must-stop on the European circuit. Known for blending top-tier headliners with a Mediterranean vibe, this year’s edition welcomes Armin van Buuren, ARTBAT, Purple Disco Machine, and more.
Beonix
Dates: September 19–21
Location: Limassol, Cyprus
On the shores of the Mediterranean, Beonix brings a mix of house, techno, and progressive sounds to Cyprus. With stages designed around art and immersive visuals, the festival creates a sleek balance of music, design, and seaside relaxation. Artists like Armin van Buuren, Roger Sanchez, and Boris Brejcha are expected.
Caprices Festival
Dates: September 19-21
Location: Crans-Montana, Switzerland
Caprices is set high in the Swiss Alps with panoramic mountain views. This boutique festival draws house and techno purists for intimate sets from the scene’s best. Think Franky Rizardo, Loco Dice, and Cassy paired with breathtaking alpine backdrops.
Nocturnal Wonderland
Dates: September 13-14
Location: Southern California, USA
As North America’s longest-running rave, Nocturnal Wonderland continues to enchant with colorful art, glowing lights, and a diverse lineup across drum & bass, house, trance, and bass. Hosted by Insomniac, the festival mixes nostalgia with cutting-edge production for a true rave wonderland.
CRSSD Festival
Dates: September 27–28
Location: San Diego, USA
Held at San Diego’s Waterfront Park, CRSSD has become the West Coast’s premier house and techno festival. With its oceanfront skyline views, palm trees, and craft food and cocktails, the vibe is unmatched. The 2025 edition is set to feature Purple Disco Machine, John Summit, Jamie Jones b2b Adam Ten, and more.
From the futuristic Sphere in Vegas to the alpine peaks of Switzerland, September offers some of the most diverse EDM festivals of the year. Whether you’re chasing underground grooves, mainstage anthems, or bass-heavy madness, the month is stacked with choices around the globe.
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