[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Relive Ultra Music Festival 2018 With Over 75 Live Sets From Swedish House Mafia, Virtual Self, JAUZ, REZZ & More
Every year, Ultra Music Festival recruits the biggest names in dance music to perform on some the biggest and brightest stages in the world. 2018’s installment had high expectations from attendees as it was Ultra’s 20th anniversary.
Needless to say, those expectations were shattered with the legendary trio of Swedish House Mafia closing out the festival as their first show in five years, throwing fans into an absolute frenzy. After years of speculation and a few months of heightened industry anxiety, Swedish House Mafia reunited on the Ultra Miami stage Sunday (March 25) to help celebrate the festival’s 20th year.
The famous trio emerged from the darkness after a 30-minute production break. When asked why they chose this moment to reunite, they simply said: “it was time.”
“I am Axwell, I am Sebastian Ingrosso, and I am Steve Angello,” they said into the mics, “and Miami, tonight we go by Swedish House Mafia.
The influential big-room house act was a super-group when it started in 2010. Axwell, Sebastian Ingrosso and Steve Angello came together on the Ultra stage that year to debut a brand-new style of festival performance, once that celebrated maximalist aesthetics and hook-laden melodies, one that boomed with well-timed bass blasts and synchronized pyrotechnics.
In a sense, Swedish House Mafia helped usher dance music into the mainstream with their radio hits and unprecedented arena tours — but the trio disbanded in 2013 with another closing performance at Ultra Miami’s main stage. Angello went on to pursue his own solo project, swapping out mainstream upshots for deeper, darker and more cinematic styles of house. Axwell & Ingrosso have become chart regulars with bright, pop-fueled dance jams.
While streaming wasn’t as prevalent during Swedish House Mafia’s inception, they still hold down some very impressive streaming stats. Their euphoric anthem and standout single, “Don’t You Worry Child” featuring John Martin, is closing in on 340 million Spotify streams, and half a billion YouTube views.
A lot has changed since SHM last dropped “Don’t You Worry Child” on the “Ultranaughts” in 2013, its last set in five years. Its progressive sound has been replaced by rapid-fire breaks, its builds with trap-bass, but as soon as the icons gave fans megahits “Save The World,” “Miami 2 Ibiza” and “Greyhound,” the thousands-deep crowd roared with the chants of each electric melody. The final peak came with an encore of “One.” For one last night, Miami lived one of its storied historical music experiences.
Alongside Swedish House Mafia, sets from Fängeist’s favorites include:
Virtual Self
REZZ
Keys N Krates
Empire Of The Sun
Joyryde
Carl Cox
I could go on forever with the amount of talent in the lineup. Instead, just have a listen for yourself. Many of the sets from the weekend were uploaded to SoundCloud, separated by day, so that you are able to relive the glorious weekend that is Ultra Music Festival. Check below for audio of a weekends worth of rocking beats.
Next years dates for the Ultra Music Festival were also announced! The 2019 event will take place March 29-31, 2019.
Until next year, Enjoy![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
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