Alive Coverage Courtesy of Ultra Music Festival
Miami Music Week 2025: Recap
Miami Music Week 2025 delivered another unforgettable chapter in dance music history, uniting fans and artists from around the globe for a week packed with iconic sets, vibrant parties, and electric energy across Miami’s most legendary venues.
Miami Music Week returned in full force this year, bringing with it another unforgettable marathon of electronic music, culture, and unmatched energy. From poolside grooves and rooftop day parties in Miami Beach to immersive club nights in the lively Wynwood Arts District, and the colossal spectacle that is Ultra Music Festival, Miami once again cemented itself as the mecca for dance music lovers from around the globe. Despite a brief weather hiccup on Sunday, the week delivered countless highlights that showcased the evolution and diversity of the electronic scene. Here’s a closer look at some of the biggest moments from Miami Music Week 2025!
Wednesday, March 26
The week officially ignited with a powerful kickoff of RESISTANCE’s Miami Music Week residency at M2 in Miami Beach, where techno and industrial vibes collided in a dark and gritty fashion thanks to a night headlined by I Hate Models. Opening support included a stacked lineup of industry heavyweights such as Zorza, Shlømo, and Patrick Mason, each bringing their unique flavor to the decks. Zorza set the tone with aggressive BPMs and a hard-hitting aesthetic, while Shlømo continued to bring the energy up through his track selection of heavy hitters.
Patrick Mason, known for his infectious energy and fierce charisma, electrified the crowd with a performance that was as theatrical as it was musically dynamic. I Hate Models, known for his high-octane, emotionally charged sets, took the crowd on a raw and relentless ride through the various subgenres of techno that blurred genre boundaries. His performance was a testament to his ability to create a visceral experience, with heavy basslines, pulsating rhythms, and atmospheric breaks that had the crowd entranced from start to finish. As the night unfolded, the energy inside M2 was pure fire — a perfect, no-holds-barred start to the week, culminating in I Hate Models’ unforgettable headlining performance that left the crowd craving more.
Thursday, March 27
The momentum only built on Thursday as fans flocked back to Miami Beach for SiriusXM’s Dance From Miami Live event. Held in an intimate studio setting, the night featured a powerful, groove-laden set from Italian hitmakers Mattia Vitale, Simone Giani, and Luca de Gregorio, better known as MEDUZA.
The trio delivered a special MEDUZA³, performance, their live music concept that features all three members performing together in a more experimental and immersive format. They delivered a seamless blend of melodic house and emotive tech rhythms, teasing fans with crowd-favorite tracks like ‘Lose Control’ and ‘Paradise’, alongside deeper cuts and unreleased material that gave the set a fresh, unpredictable edge. The trio’s masterful transitions and atmospheric soundscapes kept the crowd swaying from start to finish.
With the stripped-back, up-close nature of the setting, the experience felt more like a private showcase than a traditional performance — every drop and buildup resonated with intensity. Fans lucky enough to attend were treated to an exclusive look into MEDUZA’s evolving sound and stage presence, proving that even within a small space, the trio could deliver a set with stadium-sized energy.
Meanwhile, over in Wynwood, the HILOMATIK showcase transformed the Wynwood Marketplace into a full-fledged tech-heavy playground, complete with immersive lighting, sharp visuals, and an industrial-styled stage that pulsed with energy all night long. The open-air venue filled quickly as techno lovers gathered for what would become one of the standout underground events of the week. Sarah de Warren opened the night with a live performance that instantly set a mystical tone. Known for her ethereal vocals and emotionally driven songwriting, she paired soaring toplines with melodic, downtempo beats that captivated the early crowd.
KAS:ST then took the reins with a performance that was equal parts cerebral and cinematic. The French duo seamlessly layered breakbeat rhythms over melodic techno textures, delivering a moody, thought-provoking set that played like a sonic movie. Next up was HI-LO, the techno alias of Oliver Heldens, who wasted no time in shifting the energy into high gear. His signature sound — deep, rolling basslines and relentless percussion — had the crowd moving non-stop. Armed with tracks from his own HILOMATIK imprint and special IDs tailored for Miami such as his recently released track ‘Born To Love’ with Sarah de Warren, HI-LO delivered an unapologetically intense performance that hit hard and kept hitting.
Fatima Hajji followed with her unmistakable blend of fierce, high-BPM techno. The Spanish powerhouse fired off a storm of heavy kicks, acid-laced synths, and relentless rhythms that kept the dancefloor packed and surging with adrenaline. Enrico Sangiuliano rounded out the night with a hypnotic, emotionally rich performance that masterfully balanced power and precision. His set was not only technically flawless but also deeply atmospheric — the kind of closing set that leaves a lasting imprint on everyone lucky enough to experience it.
Friday, March 28
Ultra Music Festival’s 25th Anniversary officially kicked off on Friday at Bayfront Park, drawing fans from all over the world for a milestone celebration. Over at the RESISTANCE MegaStructure, ARTBAT wasted no time making their mark. Their set was a dynamic blend of melodic techno and unreleased IDs that had the entire structure vibrating. The visuals and sound design inside the stage created a truly immersive world — the perfect setting for ARTBAT’s powerful storytelling.
Across the park at the ASOT takeover of the Worldwide Stage, Oliver Heldens showcased a deeper, more trance-forward side of his sound, steering into darker territory while still keeping the energy high. The shift surprised some fans in the best way possible. Following him was the man himself, Armin van Buuren, who delivered an explosive, euphoric set that combined his signature melodies with high-energy drops, emotional vocals, and a few never-before-heard collabs that had trance lovers in a state of bliss.
As the night fell, Factory Town came alive. The Infinity Room hosted a stacked lineup that included Max Styler, Mathame, CamelPhat, and MEDUZA — each act delivering something unique under surreal lighting and hypnotic visuals. Mathame’s set was full of dreamy synths and emotional peaks, while CamelPhat kept things groovy and textured with their house-driven grooves. Closing things down, MEDUZA once again impressed with a deep, late-night (or early-morning) set filled with their signature blend of melodic depth and festival-ready energy.
Saturday, March 29
Saturday brought even more firepower. At Ultra’s Main Stage, the crowd swelled early for a packed day. MORTEN ignited the afternoon with his bold, booming “future rave” sound, setting the tone for a high-energy run of performances. Armin van Buuren, back for round two, delivered one of the weekend’s most emotionally charged sets — a journey through trance, uplifting melodies, and goosebump-worthy breakdowns that captivated the sea of flags waving in the breeze.
The night’s crown jewel came in the form of an unforgettable Anyma b2b Solomun performance. Together, they delivered a cinematic, genre-bending set that shifted between brooding tension and euphoric release — easily one of the most talked-about sets of the weekend. Hardwell took the mainstage next, returning to close out the night for the first time since his 2022 comeback — and his set was nothing short of legendary. Known for his high-octane festival energy, Hardwell dropped an onslaught of unreleased tracks and crowd-shaking anthems, reminding everyone why he’s the king of mainstage closers.
As the night wound down at Bayfront Park, Factory Town’s Warehouse in Hialeah was just hitting its stride with a relentless surge of pounding techno. Layton Giordani and Adam Beyer delivered solo sets that were dark, driving, and expertly layered, each building anticipation before uniting for a blistering b2b session. Their chemistry behind the decks pushed the energy into overdrive, unleashing peak-time techno that had the entire room in controlled chaos. Closing out the night, Chris Avantgarde brought a cinematic edge to the warehouse, weaving emotional depth into thunderous rhythms for a finale that was both visceral and unforgettable.
Sunday, March 30
The final day of Ultra got off to a soggy start as rain rolled through early in the afternoon, forcing a temporary shutdown and evacuation of the festival grounds. While it was an unexpected interruption, the storm passed quickly, and Ultra staff worked efficiently to clean up and reopen Bayfront Park. Once the gates were back open, the energy bounced right back — if anything, the short delay only made fans hungrier for the music.
To make up for the pause, organizers extended the festival’s closing time from 10 PM to 11 PM, giving attendees a bonus hour of music to send off the weekend properly. Steve Aoki helped re-ignite the momentum on the Main Stage with his signature chaos: cake tosses and electrifying drops that brought the drenched crowd to life. Gryffin followed with a melodic, emotionally driven set that blended live instruments with dreamy production, offering a moment of beauty and connection in the wake of the rain.
Over at the Live Stage, Above & Beyond delivered one of the most moving sets of the weekend — a spiritual experience marked by soaring melodies, sing-along moments, and tear-jerking classics. Their ability to tap into raw emotion made it feel less like a performance and more like a shared healing moment with the crowd. While the rain had briefly stalled the festivities, the day ended on a high note, and the final hours at Ultra felt extra meaningful for those in attendance.
Elsewhere, the party never stopped at Factory Town, where the legendary Elrow Closing Party brought the week to a wild and whimsical finale. The venue was transformed into a surreal playground full of outrageous costumes, colorful characters, floating inflatables, confetti storms, and immersive decor. The music was just as lively — a bouncy mix of house, tech-house, and disco spun by resident favorites and surprise guests. It was vibrant, ridiculous, and pure fun — the kind of closing party only Elrow can deliver.
Final Thoughts
Miami Music Week 2025 delivered an unforgettable experience for dance music lovers across the globe. From massive festival moments to gritty warehouse vibes and spontaneous rooftop parties, the week captured the full spectrum of what electronic music has to offer. Whether you found yourself deep in the RESISTANCE MegaStructure, grooving at Factory Town, or soaking up melodies at a secret set in Wynwood, one thing was clear — the magic of Miami Music Week is still alive and well. If you missed it this year, mark your calendars now. Miami Music Week 2026 is sure to be even bigger.
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