Ultra Music Festival Moved to Virginia Key
Ultra Music Festival has officially found a new home, at least for 2019. The electronic dance music festival, a Miami-born event that has grown into an industry monster and global brand for over twenty years, has a new contract to host the three-day event on March 29-31 on Virginia Key, Florida. The agreement was recently approved by Miami commissioners on Thursday night. The festival agreed to pay the city a guaranteed $2 million under a licensing agreement allowing them to hold the three-day event at two locations on Virginia Key: in the park outside the Miami Marine Stadium and in the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park.
This was a long and very complicated process. The lengthy debate, filled with political views and noise, was underlined by controversy stemming from Ultra’s reputation for mind-blowing bass music, wild fans, and infinite problems with traffic. A full day of public comment and discussion among commissioners featured a plethora of considered and frustrated residents. One of the main concerns seemed to be those who were afraid of the massive amount of traffic that would occur on the Rickenbacker Causeway, which is the only road used to get on and off Key Biscayne. Concerns were also voiced by environmental activists who are worried about the loud music harming wildlife and captive Virginia Key research animals and frustration.
As of now, the festival is a go. With public concern and a strong fight from locals and some city officials, it is uncertain what the future will hold for Ultra Music Festival beyond 2019.