As the Ultra Music Festival marks its 25th anniversary, a special discussion brought together electronic music legends Afrojack, Carl Cox, and Armin van Buuren to reflect on the festival’s deep history and wide-ranging influence. Their conversation shed light on the event’s humble beginnings, its growth into a global phenomenon, and the lasting mark it has left on dance music culture.
Afrojack recalled his early days at Ultra, starting with a brief ten-minute set in 2008, an opportunity given to him by David Guetta. This initial appearance quickly led to an invitation to play at the renowned Carl Cox stage the following year, a significant step in his career.
Carl Cox shared his own vivid memories of the festival’s early years at Bayfront. He described the challenges of playing vinyl in the intense Miami heat, which often caused records to warp. He also spoke about the basic setup of the first festivals, which featured a mix of live bands and DJs in a somewhat undeveloped area. The Carl Cox stage itself evolved over time, beginning as a simple wedding tent before growing into the massive structure known today as the “Megastructure,” which could hold 2,500 people.
The artists discussed their approach to performing, noting that they consistently change their sets each year, often trying out new songs at Ultra. They openly admitted to feeling nervous before their performances, viewing this natural anxiety as a way to enhance their connection with the audience. Carl Cox recounted experiences with unexpected issues like sound system failures or rain during his sets.
This and much more was talked about in the full 19-minute video, which you can watch by heading below.