The Ultra Music Festival is moving out of Miami after two decades.
Organizers announced Wednesday they have terminated the festival’s license from the City of Miami and are “finalizing a new South Florida location.”
The EDM festival, held every March, has attracted the biggest names in the genre, including Calvin Harris, Tiësto, Skrillex and deadmau5. Pop acts who have made appearances include Madonna, Black Eyed Peas and Justin Bieber.
This year’s Ultra was moved from Bayfront Park in downtown Miami to a new location on Virginia Key that resulted in transportation nightmares for festival-goers.
“The festival experience on Virginia Key was simply not good enough,” organizers admitted in a letter to fans shared on Twitter.
A letter to our fans... pic.twitter.com/m0DkoUWdBU
— Ultra Music Festival (@ultra) May 8, 2019
The Miami Herald described the move as “the day the electronic dance music died in Miami” and reported that the city will lose about $2 million U.S.
“It is unfortunate that they felt they had to make this decision,” city manager Emilio Gonzalez told the Herald.
According to the letter from Ultra, the new location is “incredible” and organizers “look forward to making our home there for many years to come.”
The letter added: “Our priority is providing our attendees a unique, accessible, breathtaking venue.”
While no formal announcement has been made, the Herald cited sources as saying Ultra will move about 45 minutes south to Homestead, possibly at the Homestead-Miami Speedway.