Checklist: Ultra Music Festival/Miami Music Week

BASSBurger
Mar 7, 2017
4 min read

In a few short weeks, dance music fans from around the globe will make their yearly migration to southern Florida for a week of techno, house, dubstep, trance and every other imaginable subgenre of electronic dance music. Yes ladies and gentlemen...it is almost time for Ultra and Miami Music Week!

The BASSburger staff has been making the trip to Miami since 2013 and we've learned a lot over the years on how to survive the week of mayhem that is Miami Music Week/UMF. If you are planning on hitting up pool parties/club nights in the days leading up to Ultra, you'll need to remind yourself one thing: It's a marathon, not a sprint.

And with that said, we've put together this handy dandy checklist to make sure you have everything you need before even calling your Uber to the airport or stepping foot in South Beach!

FANNY PACK:

The fanny pack is more than a fashion statement...it's actually the safest and most practical way to keep all of your shit right in front of you with no worries of theft/dropping stuff. Every year, we hear stories about pickpockets or people stealing other attendees' bags when they aren't looking. It sucks, but it is very avoidable if you have your valuables in your plain sight. Additionally, fanny packs are always acceptable bags for Ultra security, eliminating any questions on if that sick backpack you bought online is allowed inside the festival grounds.

CHEAP SUNGLASSES:

Ultra is known for it's often flashy appearance. But again for practicality, leave those $300+ DG shades at home. They will get dropped, broken or lost at some point if you plan getting too lit to quit. (TIP: Check out the South Beach gift shops for deals on stylish cheap shades.)

DRESS SHOES + 1 NICE OUTFIT (minimum):

This really applies only to those going to any events at night clubs in South Beach/downtown Miami. The dress codes can be fairly strict, so be sure to check in advance and if ever in doubt, dress to impress. Sneakers are usually a no-no and you will not be admitted into any high-end club if you are wearing shorts.

CAMELBAK/HYDRATION PACK:

You think you don't want to carry around a backpack full of water right now, but wait until you are 15 minutes into the greatest set you've ever experienced and you realize you have to navigate through a crowd of party animals in order to buy an overpriced bottle of water that will be empty before you even get back to your spot. No bueno. Ultra has free water fill-up locations to make sure you don't break the bank while staying hydrated.

SEALED CIGARETTES:

Pool parties/clubs don't care if smokes are open, but Ultra security will make you throw out any open packs of cigarettes at the checkpoint. Always bring a full-sealed pack or be prepared to pay a hefty upsell price once inside Bayfront Park.

ZIPLOCK BAGGIES:

One thing about Miami/Florida is that it rains heavily on occasion....like fuckin' monsoon style. To avoid damage to your phones/smokes/wallet/substances, put them all inside a small ziplock bag. This also is a smart idea for pool parties if you plan on being anywhere near the water. (Just ask our friend Manny who was pushed into the pool at Spinnin' Sessions last year and had no way to get ahold of his friends afterwards.)

ACEMETAPHIN-BASED PAINKILLER (NO TYLENOL OR IBUPROFIN!!!):

First off, if you are taking painkillers, you should avoid drinking alcohol while doing so. It does shitty things to your liver and stomach. However, if you do wake up with a raging headache and need to push through, be sure to bring some over-the-counter pain relief and hydrate accordingly.

CONDOMS:

Unless you are trying to produce a rave baby/raging case of herpes, cover it up kids.

MOIST TOWELETTES/BABY WIPES (travel size):

You'll thank me for this one on day 3 of Ultra when every porta-potty is literally sprayed with shit and piss. Plus, toilet paper becomes a premium after day 1 so this also works as a solid backup.

SEALED GUM:

Same as smokes...make sure gum is sealed upon entry or else you're fucked.

MOBILE PHONE BATTERY CHARGER:

These have become a staple of the raver survival kit. You never want to lose your crew, so head on over to Walgreens and invest $5-$10 on a reliable backup source of power in case your phone dies.

BOTTLE OF LIQUOR:

This depends on where you are coming from, but if you live in an area where booze is super cheap, be sure to toss a bottle of your favorite sprit with your checked bag. It will save you $$$ on Miami's sometimes spendy liquor stores and eliminate the need for an immediate booze run upon arrival.

GOLD BOND POWDER:

Fellas will appreciate this one. Helps prevent swampy balls/chaffing.

CASH:

Cash is king at Miami Music Week parties and Ultra. The bar lines get super long so help speed up the process for everybody by bringing enough cash to get you what you need.

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