Who should you catch at Ultra? Which ticket should you get? Should you stay at a hotel after? We fill you in before the mega dance music festival on 10 and 11 June outside Marina Bay Sands
We’re less than a month away from the one of the biggest dance music festivals in Singapore, and our hairs are already standing just thinking of it. Ultra Music Festival makes its return on 10 and 11 June, and there’s plenty you need to start preparing for. Keep tabs on our thorough guide – we dish out who you gotta catch, ticket information, dos and don’ts, hotel packages and more – and you’ll be just fine and dandy.
So… what is Ultra?
Don’t worry if you’re feeling left out from all the hype; we’re here to fill you in. The Ultra Music Festival is one of the dance industry’s biggest events of the year, originating from Miami way back in 1999, and it has since expanded its territories worldwide – including Korea, South Africa, and even Argentina. Elites of both the commercial and underground scenes – from trance titans like Tiësto to underground legends like Carl Cox – have graced the festival’s stages, making it an annual highlight for touring DJs and punters alike.
Singapore first got a taste of Ultra in 2015, when the industry juggernaut extended its bite-sized Road to Ultra series to our shores, bringing in a handful of top talents like Skrillex and Alesso. Fast forward two years later, and we’re now at the sophomore, full-blown edition of the festival, continuing the momentum from Ultra Singapore 2016’s resounding success.
The lineup
Once again, Ultra pulls out all the stops in Singapore when it comes to its champions on the decks. From industry legends to left-field upstarts, here’s a summary of the talent you can expect.
Update: Second-wave lineup
The Ultra Music Festival is just full of surprises, isn’t it? We recently revealed the second wave of the music lineup, and it still has our jaws on the floor (we’re also in stitches about the addition of a certain Indonesian comedian-slash-rapper).
The legends
You can’t talk about EDM without mentioning the legacy of Tiësto, one of the biggest (and certified best on DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJs poll) DJs in the world with his untouchable contributions to trance and big-room house. Another giga-sized name is the man touted as the former’s protégé – and household name amongst the EDM kids – Hardwell. But if you belong in the camp of old-school progressive house, then you won’t wanna miss the three-hour back-to-back set of tastemakers, Sasha and John Digweed.
The veterans you can’t ignore
When you think of the electro revolution and a particularly prominent Asian, long-haired dude with a ’stache, only one trailblazer comes to mind. Pop culture icon (and expert cake-tosser) Steve Aoki returns for Ultra this year. Another stunner who’s back to say “Hello” is French phenom, Martin Solveig, and surfing on the techno tracks by way of Iran is the one and only Dubfire.
The EDM knockouts
Ultra Music Festival continues to teeter on the commercial end of the spectrum this year, roping in a truckload of top-charting EDM greats. From Swedish House Mafia’s Steve Angello and the trance-favouring Dash Berlin, to the vociferous thumps and bumps of Don Diablo, Nicky Romero and Showtek – these additions unleash drops as huge as their reputations.
The live acts rolling out a change of pace
Another EDM maverick who’s known for his staggering live sets is KSHMR, a name many Singaporean ravers will be happy to see return. A standout act who changed the playing field by spurring on the future house phenomenon is Tchami, and if you’re looking for some turbo treats, don’t miss the reunification of drum & bass outfit, Pendulum.
The resistant ones
If you’re looking to hide from the pro-commercial anthems of the Ultra Main Stage and Live Stage, then the Resistance area is where you’ll most likely scurry to. Aside from Dubfire, Sasha and John Digweed, other scene-shaking players of the underground house and techno scene will be present – including Carlo Lio, ANNA, Henry Saiz, and another gargantuan name in the circuit, Nic Fanciulli.
Fashion guide
Step away from the flower crowns, take off the feathers and peel of the bindis! We’re here to help you stand out from the crowd without looking like a walking meme or festival cliché. Here are some fashion Dos and Don’ts that will have you serving looks at Ultra Music Festival without offending anyone
Rules you should remember
Do take lots of photos and feed your inner social media animal.
Don’t bring and use professional cameras, flash cameras, video recording equipment, or drones to take them. Selfie sticks are also a no-no.
Do stay hydrated!
Don’t turn Ultra into Songkran with squirt guns and misters. You also can’t bring outside beverages, or any bottles, cans, canteens, flasks or coolers.
Do bring earplugs if you don’t like ringing ears in the morning.
Don’t make your fellow punters deaf with air horns and noisemakers.
Do bring any of the following bags to store your stuff in: fanny packs, small clutch bags, and only bags made of clear plastic, clear vinyl or clear PVC (not exceeding 13” x 17”).
Don’t lug along these: backpacks, purses, or bags not fitting the above description.
Do dress up for the occasion!
Don’t bring chained wallets or spiked jewellery, and facial masks.
For the full list of rules and prohibitions, head to this website.
Tickets
Early bird tickets for Ultra have all sold out, but you can still snap up these tickets if you’re fast enough. Here are the different categories.
General Admission: Include admission to 2 days of Ultra and access to the festival grounds via West Entrance
GA 1 Day Ticket for 10 June – 115USD
GA 1 Day Ticket for 11 June – 115USD
GA 2 Day Ticket – 178USD
GA 2 Day Ticket (Group Pack of 6) – 178USD (buying the fifth ticket unlocks the sixth)
Premium General Admission: Includes admission to 2 days of Ultra Singapore via the exclusive South Entrance, access to the VIP Village with F&B stalls, rest areas, and bathrooms & Main Stage and Live Stage PGA areas
PGA 2 Day Ticket – 203USD
VVIP Standing: Access to the festival via the VVIP Entrance, as well as the VVIP Platform – Tier 3. Access to the VVIP Village with dedicated bars & food vendors, and to air-conditioned restrooms
VVIP 1 Day Ticket for 10 June – 300USD
VVIP 1 Day Ticket for 11 June – 300USD
VVIP 2 Day Ticket – 550USD
Settling your accommodation
For SGD425, SGD440, and SGD520, Gig Life Asia will take care of your two-day passes to the Ultra Music Festival and two-night accommodation at hotels, Naumi Liora, Ibis Bencoolen, and The Scarlet respectively. Each hotel is not only bursting with character and top-notch facilities, but also just three train stops away from the festival action. And if you top up your package to the Premium General Admission for an additional SGD40, you’ll even get to enter via the exclusive South Entrance and gain access to the VIP village and exclusive stage areas. More details here.
The after-parties
We get it – your adrenaline levels are still spiking from the high of the Ultra Music Festival. If there’s one aspect of the giga-sized EDM festival that’s a bit of a bummer, it’s the fact that it ends early before midnight due to its outdoor location. But this doesn’t mean you have to shuffle back home with the hordes of punters on an anti-climatic note, because we have the post-party entertainment lined up just for you. Ticket information here.
Ultra Music Festival Singapore 2017, 10 and 11 June, Ultra Park, 1 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018971. For full information, visit this website.