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One of the biggest weekends on the South African EDM calendar just passed, and I missed it. Yep, I’m talking about Ultra. There’s a specific kind of electricity that hums through the Expo Centre at Nasrec during Ultra weekend.
I had my weekend perfectly mapped out: I was supposed to be stationed in the media pit, mere feet away from DJ Snake, capturing that inevitable moment he’d command the crowd to turn down for what. Instead, I traded my media pass for an injection, inflamed hands and a duvet, watching the lasers flicker across social media from afar.
But even from my sickbed, the sheer scale of Ultra South Africa’s 11th edition was impossible to ignore. Clearly, this year wasn't just another festival; Ultra Johannesburg was a statement.
The standout moments
The 2026 edition raised the bar for production, but it was the unexpected collaborations that stole the show. In a nod to their recent Coachella debut, Afrojack and Shimza blindsided the Joburg crowd with a surprise back-to-back set.
Seeing a global heavyweight like Afrojack fuse sounds with our local titan Shimza is exactly the kind of cultural bridge Ultra does best.
My personal heartbreak moment was missing when DJ Snake brought out Bantu to perform their new track Company. The energy in the clips was feral, a true testament to the French powerhouse’s connection with African artists.
Fresh off his CTRL album release, Summit proved why he’s the man of the hour, keeping the energy peaking until the 2 a.m. cutoff.
Beyond the main stage
While the Main Stage had the pyro, The Groove Room remained the heart of the festival for many, celebrating the global domination of Amapiano. With Scorpion Kings and our queen of the 24-hour set, DBN Gogo, on the bill, it was a reminder that while Ultra is a global brand, its South African soul is what makes it unique.
Looking ahead: Ultra 2027
The dust has barely settled, but the dates for next year are already locked in. I’ve already put a “Do Not Disturb” (and “Do Not Get Sick”) sign on my 2027 calendar.
- Friday, 30 April 2027: The Ostrich, Cape Town
- Saturday, 1 May 2027: Expo Centre, Nasrec, Johannesburg
Pre-sale registration is now open. You can bet I’ll be first in line, this time, hopefully, actually standing in that media pit.
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