ULTRA Australia Does It Again
ULTRA Melbourne took over The Flemington Racecourse for this year’s edition and it did not disappoint. The initial walk-in from the rideshare drop-off area boasts beautiful arches and flowers that almost seemed out of place considering the event. Nonetheless, it was a gorgeous way to enter the venue and made the walk time pleasurable. Security moved quickly, however, I cannot speak for later in the day as I arrived early to check out the venue.
Flemington’s well-manicured grounds exceeded expectations. Festival-goers enjoyed plush grass to lounge in as they enjoyed local eats. ULTRA Melbourne did a fantastic job spreading out the stages to avoid sound bleed, making the day that much more enjoyable. People generally convened at picnic tables and under trees on sunny Saturday, as there were no specific chill-out zones.
Melbourne is a very fashion-forward city and ULTRA was a great opportunity to show off their style. Most people were dressed in black, but there was a bit of color seeping into the scene. Even some of America’s Kandi culture could be found, with people wanting to trade pieces. It felt like a slice of home whenever I saw it happen. I even managed to trade some myself!
The Early Hours
It was an absolute privilege to catch label partners Carl Cox b2b Christopher Coe kick off the day. The energy from their set was raw and truly the product of two friends who were just having fun together. The Resistance stage is a well-loved staple of the flagship festival and while much smaller here, it still carries the same spirit. I found that this stage brought the most variety of people. Everyone from young ravers to longtime house heads gathered for a dance here. The party was non-stop and with names like Anna Tur and Juliet Fox, it’s not hard to see why. I periodically stopped by this stage and watched the crowd grow exponentially as the night went on.
They hoisted the iconic ULTRA U high above the main stage, and with clear blue skies, it shined brightly. Even from early in the day, good vibes were tangible as more and more people arrived. Topic drew a decent-sized crowd which can be difficult when you’re earlier in the day but it was no tough task for him. Plenty of danceable tracks got the people moving from the start. Will Sparks took the stage next and with a couple of sound hiccups out of the way, it was smooth sailing from then on for the Melbourne local.
The main stage area was quickly filling out as the anticipation for Darren Styles built. Many people in the comments section on Instagram were hoping for a later time slot for the Hardstyle King but still made the set regardless. Muzzing and Hakken were the dance styles of choice for those with the stamina to keep up while others sang along to the hits.
Afternoon Delight
Slight foot traffic bottlenecks started to become apparent at this point in the day as more patrons arrived. While stages were relatively spread out, overflow into one of the main stretches of the road made getting around complicated. We were craving a bite to eat so off to the grassy patch we went to find some fuel to last us through the night. It was here that we discovered the UMF Radio Stage and completely fell in love with the sounds radiating from it.
UMF Radio may have been the smallest stage but it was bursting at the seams with talent. I made it a point to check it out and found myself drawn to stay there. You can tell that the people at this stage were very excited and ready for a good time. This stage had the most variety when it came to genres which I appreciated. The movement in the crowd warmed them up for a great evening. Early in the day featured a lot of b2b sets of local talent, giving them a great spotlight to show their stuff.
As the evening went on, more solo sets began. Dimatik was a crowd pleaser who touched on two of Australia’s favorite genres, hardstyle, and psytrance. He featured a lot of old electronic classics but breathed new life into them with his hardstyle mixing. Personally, my highlight of the day was Restricted. Fresh off his US run, the 23-year-old Australian came in hot with incredible energy, creating an unforgettable set. I think he is certainly one to look out for and others think so too, going as far as to say that he should have been on the main stage. I have to agree!
ULTRA In Full Effect
Steve Aoki took the festival into the sunset with his nonstop high-energy hits that people know and adore. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the main stage came to life and the production crew was able to show off their skill. The ULTRA team, filled to the brim with talent, operates like a well-oiled machine, and that became more apparent when the pyrotechnics and lasers awakened.
Followed by Zedd, the nostalgia-soaked evening continued for a set that wowed the crowd. I’ve had the privilege to see Zedd on a couple of occasions, but this was my favorite. It’s always interesting to see a DJ perform in a different country to see how they adapt. The Aussie scene has a deep love for hardstyle so that was played into.
Armin Van Buuren finally took the stage as the last set of the night for the ULTRA Main Stage. The legendary trance artist brought us feel-good dance tracks for an hour and a half. This man truly knows how to command a festival! Miles away, people could hear the roar of the crowd. Armin is another artist who brings a varied crowd due to his longevity in the scene. The love grows still as new fans surely were made. A fireworks display signified the ending of a brilliant evening and time for everyone to make their way out of the venue.
The End of ULTRA Australia….For Now
Flemington Racecourse had a stop time of 10 pm, which leaves ample time for kick-ons. Venues around the city hosted multiple afterparties featuring artists like Steve Aoki and Darren Styles. However, leaving the venue and catching a rideshare seemed to be a little more difficult. Navigating back to the CBD may be a bit difficult from the Flemington area, but it can be done. The most optimal way would have been the train, which is something to keep in mind for next year.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the day and would love to go again. Logistically, we encountered a couple of bumps in the road, such as bottlenecking and water station management, but that’s to be expected of a new location. In a country that has seen even longtime festivals floundering with cancellations, ULTRA overcame the obstacles. I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to get their fix of a well-rounded electronic festival down under.