Ultra Music Festival 2017: 10 bass-heavy sets you can’t miss

Ultra Music Festival 2017: 10 bass-heavy sets you can't miss

Since the early 2010s, bass and trap music have become increasingly represented at Miami’s Ultra Music Festival. The Ultra Worldwide and UMF Radio stages – which have generally been the genres’ primary homes – have blossomed from their humbler beginnings into strong attractions in their own right as EDM’s heavier sub-genres continue to burgeon in popularity. With UMF 2017 looming closely on the horizon, here are 10 bass-heavy sets that we recommend making a point to see.

Featured Image by Rukes.

Feed Me

Feed Me and his gremlin mascot need no introduction. One of the most purely talented producers in the game, Jon Gooch’s performances are always must-sees. From his earliest days under his Spor alias to his diverse breadth of productions, few can surprise fans as well as Feed Me does. When given the opportunity to see one of the best out there, aficionados of bass-tinged dance music must attend.

Feed Me will be playing at the Ultra Worldwide stage Friday at 9 PM.

– Michael Cooper

REZZ

There’s a reason we named REZZ our Breakout Artist of 2016. She emerged from obscurity with a sound all her own and has continued to refine it into a thumping, undeniable powerhouse. The producer has continued her momentum in 2017 with a series of strong releases, both as a solo artist and with other up-and-comers. This may prove to be one of the last times REZZ can be caught before she starts landing headlining spots, and is definitely worth seeing this coming weekend.

REZZ will be playing at the Ultra Worldwide stage Sunday at 5 PM.

– Michael Cooper

JOYRYDE

For a producer who has significant respect for past electronic music, JOYRYDE has managed to craft a thoroughly modern sound. Named one of our Artists to Watch in 2017, the car-obsessed producer has delivered on the hype. The artist’s bass-inflected style has won over many fans, and his sets are known for their explosive energy.

JOYRYDE will be playing at the UMF Radio stage Saturday at 6:15 PM.

– Michael Cooper

MALAA

Malaa, the balaclava-clad affiliate of the Pardon My French collective, is known for his energetic G-house productions and mixes. Though his mystery producer aesthetic is viewed by many as a tired gimmick, Malaa’s DJ sets never tire in the slightest. Though the intentionally enigmatic artist has a shorter tenure than DJ Snake, Tchami, and Mercer, his sets are as coveted as those of his cohorts (or, perhaps, puppeteers).

Malaa will be playing at the Ultra Worldwide stage Sunday at 6 PM.

– DA Staff

Getter

While his extracurricular activities may at times outpace his musical pursuits in terms of popularity, one listen to a Getter track quiets any doubts about his abilities. What can start off as loose and groove can flip unexpectedly into a gnarly blast of bass and crunching synthesizers. Getter’s infectiously silly personality also bleeds over into his tunes, giving his performances an extra gear of raucous partying. Without a doubt the “Sultan of Suh” is likely to have one of the hardest hitting sets at this year’s edition of Ultra Music Festival.

Getter will be playing at the UMF Worldwide stage Sunday at 9 PM.

– Michael Cooper

Slander

The duo Slander have found themselves a particularly powerful formula to deploy in their productions. They often create moody, atmospheric sections with the tension slowly rising until its unbearable until releasing it all in a monsoon of catharsis and caustic synths. The sheer power of the group’s heavier drops can catch the uninitiated completely off guard, though such fans will also be placated by their more soothing “heaven trap” interludes. If there is one place where Slander’s productions will be backed up with the necessary power and equipment, it’s Ultra.

Slander will be playing at the Ultra Worldwide stage Friday at 7 PM.

– Michael Cooper

Slushii

Formerly known as DJ Swoon, the young, presently LA-based producer adopted pseudo-anonymity to launch his Slushii moniker in 2016. Not a year later, Slushii has become one of bass music’s most swiftly-rising producers thanks to his colorful sonic palate and a repertoire of distinguished collaborators and supporters. A close affiliate of OWSLA, marshmello, and many other larger figures in his realm, Slushii is still riding his breakout wave – and bass music fans will be wise to catch it before the tide increases.

Slushii will be playing at the Ultra Worldwide stage Sunday at 8 PM.

– David Klemow

NGHTMRE

North Carolina-native Tyler Marenyi is a testament to what hard work and unrelenting dedication can produce. NGHTMRE’s ascension from a virtually unknown bedroom producer into one of trap music’s most tenacious prospects is the product of the young beat-maker’s keen studio sensibilities and his spectrum-spanning collaboration roster. Once NGHTMRE staked his claim, he hasn’t backed down by an inch, and his upward trajectory doesn’t seem to be slowing anytime soon. The Mad Decent signee made his festival debut with an early slot at EDC Las Vegas in 2015, and now only two short years later, he’s primed for a coveted Sunday slot at Ultra’s Worldwide Stage.

NGHTMRE will be playing at the Ultra Worldwide stage Sunday at 7 PM.

– David Klemow

Party Favor

In a way, Ultra Music Festival played a pivotal role in Party Favor’s appointment as dance music’s reigning twerk king. It was at Ultra’s main stage that Jack Ü officially launched their partnership in 2014 with a high-octane debut that’s been seared into fans’ memorie since. Skrillex and Diplo queued up then-emerging Party Favor’s “Let Me Clear My Throat” remix in front of a sprawling crowd, and the rest is history. The twerking fad may have fizzled out somewhat since then, but Party Favor’s creativity, originality, and output have not faltered in the slightest since his breakthrough. As the dance music landscape continues to change, Party Favor retains his reputation for consistently weaving energetic DJ sets.

Party Favor will be playing at the UMF Radio stage Friday at 8 PM.

– David Klemow

GTA

Before evading genres became the hip thing to do, two self-described “goons” from Miami carried themselves under a staunch three word banner that has since come to define their careers. GTA’s “death to genres” mantra has made them an unpredictable production powerhouse that has proven to have a collective ear for everything from baile funk and moombahton to dutch house and trap. The duo are coming off their debut self-titled LP, Good Times Ahead, though they’ve indicated they are sitting on a trove of unheard material, seemingly ready to deploy at all times. Expect GTA to command the Ultra Worldwide stage this year.

GTA will be closing out the Ultra Worldwide stage Sunday at 10 PM

– David Klemow