ULTRA Europe 2023 Recap & Highlights
Ultra Europe 2023 delivered yet another unforgettable weekend of pulsating beats, mind-blowing visuals, and a sense of unity that only music can achieve.
What I love about Ultra Europe is its closeness to many other European Countries. Its a great central location for people from many countries to travel to. Split, Croatia (where the festival takes place) is a beautiful coastal town full of historic architecture and amazing restaurants and shops. During the day, I went to check out the city to explore and try out a few of their restaurants. By evening time I was ready to go and party!
The Unparalleled Lineup
Ultra Europe has consistently been known for its stellar lineup, and 2023 was no exception. The festival’s organizers left no stone unturned to bring a diverse range of top-notch talent to the stages. Headliners such as Martin Garrix, Steve Aoki, and Hardwell drew enormous crowds, delivering high-energy sets that left the audience yearning for more. Of course Steve Aoki caked a few people in the crowd, and Timmy Trumpet played his Trumpet in a few of his hits.
The roster was an exquisite blend of electronic dance music’s legendary icons, rising stars, and genre-bending artists, ensuring that there was something for every music enthusiast.
My absolute favorite set was W&W. It brought back early 2000’s memories of BigRoom style music that you don’t hear much of nowadays, which is so unfortunate because I feel as it is such an underrated genre. W&W played some of my favorite hits such as Heaven is a Place on Earth and Gangster. They also mixed hits from other DJs such as my favorite and an absolute classic – Stamp On the Ground by ItaloBrothers! They even played the Left & Right hit, amping the entire crowd to jump left 8 steps, then right 8 steps, and repeat a few times! It was such a fun and unforgettable set. I am very happy I got to see them live as I feel they haven’t been live few a few years now. I’m glad they made a comeback!
Mesmerizing Stage Productions
The stages at Ultra Europe 2023 were a sight to behold. Each one was a work of art, meticulously designed to transport attendees to different worlds. The Main Stage, in all its grandeur, featured state-of-the-art visuals, pyrotechnics, and mind-bending LED displays that synchronized perfectly with the music. The main stage this year was slightly different than last year’s. They had their screens more asymmetrical. The screens were setup such that it looked like it was cracked glass shards. Still, there was plenty of screen space for even those in the back to watch the visuals.
The Resistance Stage brought forth an underground vibe, immersing ravers in the pulsating heart of techno and house music. Carl Cox and Charlotte De Witt were two big DJs playing at the Resistance stage. I actually found this stage to be surprisingly fun. I loved the encapsulated feel of it (although some might find it claustrophobic), but the lights and the LED displays were amazing on the stage’s ceiling.
And not to forget the Oasis Stage, a tropical paradise with its laid-back vibes, attracting those who sought to sway to the tropical beats under the sun. This year, they had 15 additional international DJs playing at the Oasis Stage.
A Sense of Unity and Belonging
Beyond the mesmerizing performances and awe-inspiring stages, what made Ultra Europe 2023 truly special was the sense of unity and belonging it fostered. Music has the power to connect people from all walks of life, and the festival became a melting pot of cultures and nationalities, bound together by their love for EDM. Strangers became friends, and barriers dissolved as the crowd swayed and danced as one entity. The overwhelming feeling of being part of a vast, harmonious community elevated the entire experience to a whole new level.
I really did feel a sense of joy and happiness at this festival. Yes, at times it got crowded, especially around midnight to 3 AM, but people were so nice and apologetic if they bumped into you accidentally or needed to walk by you. There was no negativity, no fighting (that I saw), and people weren’t overly intoxicated. I had strangers come up to me and give out high-fives, hugs, we all sang and danced together! I made many new friends and connections while there!
However I will say that towards the end of each night, the place was dirty and littered with bottles and trash. Also the dance floor starting getting sticky with all the spilled drinks. It made it really difficult to dance, haha.
Ultra Europe 2023 proved once again that it is much more than just a music festival; it’s an immersive journey into the heart and soul of electronic dance music. With its stellar lineup, awe-inspiring stage productions, and a sense of unity that transcends boundaries, the event left an everlasting impression on me, my friends and the hearts of its attendees.
As some of you might have heard through the grapevine, Ultra Europe might move to a different country in 2024. I heard rumors that it will likely be in Spain. If that is the case, count me in! I’d also love to check out Spain. While I do love Croatia and would definitely come back again, I’m open to traveling to another country! Stay tuned as next year could be a very different experience for those of us planning to go to Ultra Europe once again.
As I bid adieu to this year’s edition, I eagerly anticipate what the future holds for Ultra Europe, confident that it will continue to push the boundaries of musical innovation and bring fans together from all over the world to experience the rhythmic extravaganza that is Ultra Europe.
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