Ultra Beach Bali 2016 | Event Review

Ultra Beach Bali 2016 was the perfect getaway for those looking for a more intimate experience with world class artists.

Taking place at the iconic Potato Head Beach Club in Seminyak, Ultra Beach Bali 2016 had the most picturesque backdrop for the two-day EDM event. Consisting of just two stages – the Ultra main stage and the Resistance stage, Ultra Beach Bali 2016 was a small-scale festival that attracted thousands of tourists from around the world. Due to their close proximity to Bali, there were a number of Australians along with a few of my fellow Americans here and there. To say the least the crowd was comprised of primarily foreigners, as it seems as though this particular Ultra is a vacation trip rather than a local affair.

Similar to their other festival counterparts, Ultra Beach Bali 2016 had your typical sponsored areas in which attendees could partake in various social activities. One being the Malboro “scavenger hunt” in which you could earn a number of branded prizes by taking a photo in their photo booth or designing a t-shirt. There was also a number of quality food vendors serving delicious grilled cheese sandwiches and other cultural fare. Another fun touch was the specialty alcoholic drinks called the “Bali Breeze” that was a fruity vodka drink that could be purchased using drink tokens or card. All in all service was great and attendees experienced little to no lines with friendly staff.

Regarding the production, I did not expect it to be anything too crazy.

Although the Ultra main stage wasn’t as massive as other Ultra stages it was fitting for the venue as it allowed attendees to experience the sun setting behind the palm trees and the stage’s structure. What makes Ultra Beach Bali unique from other events and a sight to see is the pool that sits front row to the stage. With the weather and artists bringing constant heat, the pool is a nice touch as it allows attendees to cool off and get closer to their favorite artists.

Talent wise Ultra brought a wide variety of artists that would be headliners in their own right at many other festivals.

Afrojack, deadmau5, Dubfire, and Martin Garrix dotted the lineup along with support from Galantis, Marshmello, and other rising artists. Notable sets included JAUZ whose original tracks were played throughout the two-day event and Dubfire with their dark and deep vibes that closed out the Resistance stage the last day. Other honorable mentions include Gryffin who performed a solid set and of course the legend deadmau5 who provided Ultra attendees the opportunity to see him solo. One set that was special to Ultra Beach Bali is being able to watch tropical house favorite Thomas Jack perform as the sun sets behind the palm trees. It doesn’t get much better than that in terms of picture perfect.

In summary, Ultra Beach Bali is the perfect escape away from the stresses of home and another solid festival from Ultra Worldwide.