10 Artists You Can't Miss At Ultra 2018

| March 05, 2018

Ultra is less than a month away and with the (finally) announcement of Phase 2, Ultra-goers are starting to mock up their lists of who to see on what day and which pre and post parties to attend.

Whether this is your first Ultra, or your tenth, here are some of the artists you can't miss. Representing every corner of the EDM spectrum from techno to trap to dubstep and electro, these artists will bring some of the best sets of the weekend.

In addition to the stellar music, many of these artists will be bringing unforgettable stage designs, can't-miss back to back sets and in the tradition of Ultra, tons of new music. Check out our top ten below. 

 

1. Eric Prydz

Well known for his incredible laser displays, Eric Prydz is an Ultra mainstay and is sure to put on a wild show for attendees. I can personally vouch for Prydz, his back to back with Deadmau5 at Electric Zoo 2017 was an amazing way to close out the festival. The progressive house legend will be returning to Miami in March for a huge set that is sure to be one of the highlights of the festival. Get hyped for the laser display with his 5.0 show in London. Will he go even bigger at Ultra? It's a sure bet. 

 

2. What So Not

One of my personal favorites, the experimental trap artist will be returning stateside for an unforgettable Ultra set. What So Not will be making a stop in Miami for his Beautiful Things World Tour. What So Not's Ultra set will be the first show of the North American leg of his tour, and the tour is already generating massive hype. One reason not to miss What So Not: the return of his famed custom-built horse production that he debuted last year when he closed out Coachella and used again at HARD Summer and Australia's Listen Out. The 9 foot tall chrome horse pulls a chariot in front of giant LED screens, a design planned by What So Not himself. 

 

3. Rezz

Space Mom always throws down incredible sets, and her debut performance at Ultra is sure to be no exception. Well known for her wonderfully weird and unique sound, Rezz brought space bass to the forefront of EDM. Having played at festivals all over the US including a packed stage at circuitGROUNDS this past EDC, Rezz always brings wonky wobbles to festival grounds. Her debut set at Ultra will bring in different sounds and vibes to the popularly electro and big room festival. 

 

4. Kaskade 

Kaskade has remained a solid staple in EDM for a long time for a very good reason. The massively successful producer has played at almost every major festival in the United States. He is one of the Ultra artists slotted to have a sunset set (let's be real, all sunset sets should just be called Kaskade's sets at this point) and the combination of his hard-hitting electro styles with his emotive lyrical tracks is sure to leave Ultra attendees stunned. His set is one not to miss, he'll also be playing a daytime pool party, click HERE for more information on that. 

 

5. Virtual Self

While many people may not be intimately familiar with the name Virtual Self, everyone in EDM has heard of Porter Robinson. Virtual Self is Porter's side project, an alter ego that makes a departure from the feels genre that Porter almost single handedly engineered. Virtual Self brings an energetic combination of happy hardcore, trance and hardstyle that will leave fans dancing all night. So, anyone attending Virtual Self, do not expect a Worlds Set, but enjoy the fresh sound that is Virtual Self. 

 

6. Quix

One of my favorite up and coming trap artists, Quix has been making a name for himself on the festival circuit, playing at festivals like Electric Zoo, Something Wicked and EDC. He has collaborated with artists like What So Not (I'm willing to bet that they're both playing Run at Ultra this year) and has gained recognition from some of the top bass and trap DJs in EDM. His Ultra set is sure to get crowds down and dirty with his hard-hitting combination of deep bass and rough trap. 

 

7. RL Grime

Speaking of trap, the king himself will be at Ultra this year. I have yet to see a Grime show that disappointed me, and I know that the trap king will be pulling out all the stops at Ultra. His recent Nova tour was incredible (read our full review of it HERE) and it's a sure bet that he'll be bringing just as heavy a show to Miami. Fans have been waiting with bated breath for the release of RL's Nova album, which many thought would be released at the end of 2017. With an Ultra performance on his to-do list, it's a fair bet that fans will be hearing new tracks from Nova at Ultra. 

 

8. Tchami x Malaa

While both Tchami and Malaa are not unfamiliar names on Ultra's lineup, the back to back performance of the two Confession producers is a new one at Ultra. Tchami and Malaa recently embarked on their No Redemption tour which featured the back to back set for the first time. Read up on our full review of No Redemption HERE. The two will be bringing their unique stage production and kickass back to back set to Ultra's live stage, and speaking from personal experience, this is a set you won't want to miss. 

 

9. Kayzo

 Kayzo has always been one of my favorite versatile artists. Swinging from hardstyle to trap to dubstep and bass, Kayzo has been throwing hard and heavy sets at festivals all over the United States. His recent Overload album and subsequent tour has been making waves, and he is sure to bring the Overload to Ultra. Kayzo will bring the fast and heavy to Ultra, and his set is sure to be an incredible one. The Doghouse producer is also known for popping up in unexpected back to back sets and after parties, so keep an eye on those socials! 

 

10. NGHTMRE x SLANDER

 The Gud Vibrations boys are bringing their show to Ultra with a hyped back to back set between the three bass producers. Gud Vibrations was originally a sold-out tour but the boys brought the vibes back with the Gud Vibrations radio show, check it out HERE. Due to popular demand, Gud Vibrations is back on the festival circuit with a stop at Ultra. The three producers all have heavy and distinct sounds, and the return of their epic back to back set will be one not to miss at Ultra's 20th.

 

The countdown to Ultra is on, check out our bestselling Festival Collection HERE for Ultra looks that are sure to stun.

Read up on our 10 Ultra Must-Haves HERE to ensure that you're ready for the biggest festival of the year. 

about the writer

Lindsay Moriyama

Lindsey Moriyama

Read More...Lindsey was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii but now she lives, writes, bartends and stretches paychecks in New York City.

Illenium, Gareth Emery and Porter Robinson are her favorites, but you'll find her at any EDM event in any borough. A lover of every genre from trance to dubstep, you can find her on the fringes of a crowd gloving, dancing and bringing good vibes. A PLURR fairy, basshead, trance child and kandi kid all in one, this scene is her world.

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