It was the perfect ending for Ultra, which definitely showed its strength at its longtime home at Bayfront Park. While the 2019 shift to Virginia Key offered more space, Bayfront Park feels like the right spot for the festival. There's something magical about dancing surrounded by towering skyscrapers. Ultra feeds off the city's energy, so here's hoping the festival and downtown residents can continue to coexist in relative harmony.
Here's what else happened on day three of Ultra Music Festival 2022.
Carl Cox
Some may begin their festivities with Carl Cox; others may cap off their night with him. Regardless of the day or time, Cox will leave you a new person. The crowd felt assured Cox couldn't go deeper or darker, yet, by the time Sunday came around, he pulled out all tricks and kept the masses transfixed for two hours. Sometimes he threw in bouncy breaks; other times, it was the stadium techno to which we've grown accustomed: merely a bass and a hi-hat. Sunday appeared to be the day Cox used lengthy buildups before the tidal waves of adrenaline. During one euphoric moment, he dropped the legendary a cappella of Donna Summer's 1977 hit "I Feel Love" while rich shades of blue, red, and purple flooded the dance floor and the LEDs overhead lowered. "Oh, it's so good." Oh yes, it is so good. Grant AlbertDavid Guetta
"Miiiiiamiiiii, It's been three fucking years, but Ultra, we are back!" yelled David Guetta as he geared up the Future Rave remix of his hit "Titanium." The French DJ played many of his own songs, including "Memories," featuring Kid Cudi, and "Play Hard," featuring Ne-Yo and Akon, but also remixed classics, including "Yeah" by Usher and Calvin Harris' "How Deep Is Your Love." Guetta felt and spread the love as he threw up a heart shape with his hands to the crowd and his fans reciprocated. Surprise guest Kodak Black hopped onto the stage for Guetta's "Trap House" mix of "Super Gremlin." Mary GibsonElohim
Dancing around the stage in all black and trailing a plugged mike behind her, Elohim moved to the rhythm of her sounds and provided her own vocals. "Let's go to the rave!" she shouted. "Now rave!" Her electropop music played as she manned the keys (quite impressively, we might add) and even had her own piano solo. The setlist included "Journey to the Center of Myself" and "FYM," featuring Wiz Khalifa. Mary GibsonHardwell
As Guetta ended his set, the sky lit up with the words, "See you next year, Ultra 2023." But a promo on the screen for Swedish House Mafia, who'll headline next year's festival, left attendees confused about whether there was more to come. Fortunately, not long after, a somber voiceover intoned, "Your opinion of me does not define who I am. I know what you want me to be. Now, I'm going to show you who I truly am," and the man of the hour hopped onstage and began his set.It's been years since Hardwell has been onstage. The crowd went absolutely wild during his set, jumping and dancing harder than they did the entire weekend. Hardwell also took this chance to announce his return along with his world tour in support of his latest album, Rebels Never Die. The setlist included songs such as "Apollo," featuring Amba Shepherd and "Spaceman," but primarily consisted of new music celebrating Hardwell's triumphant return. Mary Gibson