Two decades in, Ultra Music Festival gears up for ninth edition in South Africa

JOHANNESBURG - The biggest event in the country's dance calendar, Ultra South Africa is gearing up for its ninth edition in the country.

The festival, which is scheduled for Friday, 1 March at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse in Cape Town, and Saturday, 2 March, at the Expo Centre at Nasrec in Johannesburg, promises music lovers an amazing experience.

The global headliners for this year include Skrillex, Afrojack, Steve Aoki, Vintage Culture, and W&W.

Major League DJs, Shimza, Kyle Watson, and Dean Fuel are some of the local acts that have already been confirmed.

READ: ULTRA South Africa 2024 unveils star-studded final line-up and stages

Here are things three you may not have known about the iconic music festival.

Ultra South Africa Has Brought Electronic Music’s Biggest Names To Mzansi

Over the years, David Guetta, Martin Garrix, Hardwell, Zedd, Galantis, Afrojack, Steve Aoki, The Chainsmokers, Oliver Heldens, Gorgon City, Robin Schulz, Dash Berlin, Carnage, Headhunterz, Above & Beyond, Infected Mushroom, Vini Cici, Fedde Le Grand, The Martinez Brothers are some of the big names that have performed at the iconic music festival.

A celebration of local talent

Ultra Music Festival doesn't just stop at delivering international heavyweights; it consistently enriches its festivals with incredible local line-ups. DJ Zinhle, DJ Kent, Major League, and Shimza on the lineup this year enforce talent to sit side by side, fostering a shared love for the transformative power of electronic music.

Two-decade history

The festival was started in Miami back in 1999 by Russell Faibisch and Alex Omes. The first festival was a one-day event that took place in Miami, featuring only a few artists on the line-up. In 2011, the festival in Miami expanded into a three-day event, and in 2013, the festival grew to two three-day weekends - the first time a major electronic dance music festival did so anywhere in the world.