Ultra Beach Costa del Sol

Maaan, were we SO excited to hear that the American beach festival brand ULTRA Worldwide had plans to land on Spain’s Costa de Sol in 2022! This global super brand hitting the Costa was going to be an absolute highlight of the summer in Southern Spain: staged at the Marenostrum venue (Jennifer Lopez, Sting, Marc Anthony, Simple Minds, Texas & Simply Red all played there too), the massive stage by the beach was the perfect location for this dance fest. On this occasion, one of their other hugely successful event concepts is the techno brand RESISTANCE, which usually tours separately, was given a stage in the adjacent Castillo Sohail on the Marenostrum grounds – a castle that’s over 1000 years old! What a place to hang out at and dance the night away – this was a ‘2 for 1’ that sounded too good to be true…

And then: BINGO! The gig was confirmed and we went bananas over the news. When the day finally came, we were properly stoked to have superstar DJs such as Afrojack, KSHMR, Adam Beyer, Joseph Capriati and Oliver Heldens rocking the place, with Mykris, Acraze, Ben Sterling and Blackchild being part of a truly international line-up, amongst many others. The atmosphere was electric throughout the day and night – living proof that an event of this kind and calibre was long overdue on the Costa del Sol.

The brilliant organisation of how the festival was run, great food stalls and amenities, together with beyond wicked line-ups and a great sun & sand location made this dance fest an unforgettable one, as thousands flocked to Fuengirola to have a raving good time. Watch our cover to get the drift of what went down on the beach in Fuengirola, Málaga, on that glorious Saturday in August. Also check out our ‘In The DJ Booth’ series we filmed there, inviting you to hang out backstage with the guys. Such was the party atmosphere at Resistance, that many DJs, who had played their set already, were hanging out there themselves when Joseph Capriati was on – yep, it was an edm family gathering of the finest was that night. (costadelsol.ultrabeach.com)

What’s It Like At Ultra Beach Costa del Sol?

If you’re a fan of sun-soaked beaches, world-class DJs, and unforgettable parties, (let’s face it, who isn’t) then Ultra Beach Costa del Sol should be at the top of your festival bucket list.

This event, part of the iconic Ultra Beach Festival series, brings the electrifying energy of Ultra Music Festival to the stunning coastline of Spain.

Here’s everything you need to know about what it’s like at Ultra Beach and why it’s an experience you don’t want to miss. How do we know all this? Well, because we were there. That’s right TA-DAH.TV experienced the festival firsthand. So, we know everything you need to.

What is Ultra Beach?

Established in 1997 by Russel Faibisch, CEO, chairman & Executive Producer, Ultra Music Festival has been rocking locations across the world ever since.

The festival has scooped plenty of industry awards and regularly takes the top spot in DJ Magazine’s poll to find the best electronic dance music (EDM) festival in the world.

For over 25 years, Ultra Beach has attracted some of the biggest names on the EDM scene. So much so that it now has its own spin-off event, Resistance.

The Rise of Resistance

The Resistance concept has held residencies at Ibiza’s famous Privilege nightclub, the largest club in the world.

Its 9-week residencies have brought accolades in the form of the DJ Awards ‘Best Ibiza Night’ title and more than 50,000 ravers flocking through their doors.

Following this incredible success, Resistance toured eight Latin American countries over two weekends – whaaaat? Their 6th edition of Ultra Japan saw over 500,000 EDM lovers attend and subsequently busted all attendance records for festivals in Japan – Respect!

Ultra Beach Costa del Sol

As you can tell from all of that, the Ultra Music Festival star is certainly on the rise. However, it touched down on the gorgeous, sun-kissed coast of southern Spain for the first time in 2022.

Andalusia was the destination and if you’ve seen our experiences at Lost Nomads and Noisily Festival, then you know we love ourselves some EDM in the sun. So, we had to get there! And we’re super glad we did! The line-up was incredible.

But let’s get into the experience in more detail now.

A DJ plays a set at Ultra Beach in Costa del Sol.

Where is Ultra Beach Costa del Sol?

Ultra Beach Costa del Sol is held at Marenostrum Fuengirola. The main stage sits majestically in front a stunning strip of Spanish sand.

But the beach does rag focus too much, as the main arena slopes upwards from the stage on a beautiful grass bank. So, every gets a great view too!

As for the Resistance stage at Costa del Sol, well, that’s held in the humble setting of a 1,000-year-old battlement, Castillo Sohail.

So, What’s It Like at Ultra Beach?

As you step onto the festival grounds, you’re be greeted by the breathtaking scenery of the Costa del Sol. Palm trees sway in the breeze, and the scent of saltwater mingles with the sound of thumping bass.

The festival is meticulously organized, with everything you need for a comfortable and enjoyable experience, from food and drink stalls to chill-out zones.

But Ultra Beach Costa del Sol is all about the music. The main stage is a sight to behold, with cutting-edge visuals and pyrotechnics to complement the incredible DJ sets.

Whether you’re a fan of house, techno, or EDM, there’s something for everyone. The crowd’s energy is contagious, and you’ll find yourself dancing from sunset to sunrise.

The Vibes are Immaculate

magine dancing with thousands of like-minded music lovers under the golden Spanish sun, with the Alboran Sea as your backdrop.

Ultra Beach Costa del Sol transforms the picturesque coast into a vibrant, pulsating hub of music and excitement. From the moment you arrive, you’re enveloped by a sense of euphoria that only a beach festival of this calibre can provide.

However, music and dancing aside, one of the best parts of Ultra Beach Festival is the people you’ll meet. Festival-goers come from all over the world, creating a melting pot of cultures united by a love for music. It’s a fantastic opportunity to make new friends and share unforgettable moments.

Oliver Heldens plays a DJ set at Ultra Beach Festival

The Lineup: A DJ Lover’s Paradise

One of the biggest draws is Ultra Beach’s lineup of world-renowned DJs. The Costa del Sol edition is no exception, featuring a stellar roster of top-tier talent including Afrojack and Adam Beyer.

Adam Beyer
This legendary Stockholm-based DJ, producer and founder of Drumcode Records had been at the peak of global culture for so many years. From the booth at a litany of leading international clubs like Amnesia, fabric, Gashouder, Privilege, Berghain, ADE, Timewarp and a gazillion more, he brings his unmistakable sound of modern techno wherever he goes.

Adam’s mantra, which has made him stay right at the top for so many years, is a simple one: “Respect the sound, maintain its integrity and then slowly push forward!”

Adam Beyer plays in front of a jumping crowd at Ultra Beach

Afrojack

Nick Leonardus van de Wall aka Afrojack has become one of dance music’s major icons, having grown from the humble beginnings of a DJ to become a multi-award-winning and platinum-selling producer.

With two Grammies in the cupboard, the Dutch DJ continues to influence the EDM world on a major level. As founder of record label Wall Recordings, he also enjoys a more hands-on approach, now discovering & mentoring young DJ talent as CEO of talent management company LDH.

The DJ heavyweight now counts amongst the world’s most popular DJ acts, also having helped David Guetta write the global monster hit ’Titanium’.

Oliver Heldens

Chances are if you know about Afrojack and Adam Beyer then you’ll already know all about the incredible talents of Oliver Heldens. The Dutch DJ is regarded as a pioneer of the future house genre.

Following his breakout hit “Gecko” in 2013, Heldens hasn’t looked back, spending more than a decade at the very top of the EDM scene. Now his name can bee seen adorning the top line of many international dance music festivals – just like Ultra Beach!

KSHMR

Legendary DJ and producer, KSHMR is renowned for his unique method of blending Indian influences into his punchy EDM hits. This standout approach to creating huge tunes has seen him craft a massive reputation across the world.

Regularly commanding a lofty listing in DJ Magazine’s top 100 list, LA-based KSHMR’s discography boasts big hits like ‘Eternity’, ‘Close To You’ and ‘Heartbeat’. It’s no wonder his crowd in the Costa del Sol was so big!

merican DJ, KSHMR plays to a crowd at Ultra Beach Costa del Sol with the castle in the background.

Ultra Beach Locations: Beyond Costa del Sol

 

While Ultra Beach Costa del Sol is a standout event, the Ultra Beach Festival series has several other stunning locations.

From the tropical paradise of Bali to the bustling cityscape of Hvar in Croatia, each Ultra Beach location offers a unique twist on the festival experience.

There are also annual events in locations like Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan and the UAE, among others.

However, the Costa del Sol edition is particularly special, thanks to its blend of beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife, and rich Spanish culture.

People dancing in a courtyard surrounded by antiquated walls.

Why Ultra Beach Costa del Sol?

There are a million reasons why you should be immediately thinking about pitching up at the next Ultra Beach in Costa del Sol, but we’ve managed to distill it down to three.

  • 1. The Perfect Setting: Costa del Sol is renowned for its sun-drenched beaches and lively atmosphere. The region boasts a pleasant climate year-round, making it an ideal festival destination.
  • 2. Accessibility: With Malaga International Airport nearby, getting to Ultra Beach Costa del Sol is a breeze. The festival is well-connected to various transport options, ensuring a hassle-free journey for international and local visitors alike.
  • 3. Local Attractions: Beyond the festival, the area offers plenty of exploration options. Take a break from the beats to visit historic sites, enjoy local cuisine, or relax at a beachfront café.

If you’ve got some time before or after the festival, why not take the chance to see more of this stunning country? The city of Malaga is just over 30 minutes away, but travel further northwest and you’ll eventually come to the Andalusian capital of Seville.

Find Out More On Our Dedicated Music Channel

Ultra Beach Costa del Sol is more than just a music festival; it’s a full-blown sensory adventure. From the sun-kissed beaches and spectacular DJ sets to the vibrant crowd and immersive atmosphere, every moment is designed to be unforgettable.

So pack your swimsuit, grab your sunglasses, and get ready to dance the night away at one of Spain’s most exhilarating music festivals.

For more details about Ultra Beach and other incredible music festivals across Europe, like Sun & Snow Weekend or Cocoon at the Castle, make sure you’re following our Music Channel.

Noisily Festival 2026 from 10 – 12 July at Barkstone Wood near Grantham, Leicestershire

This has to be one of our all-time greats: Noisily Festival came back for its 9th edition in 2022 with a vengeance, after a 2-year hiatus, due to covid! The build-up of excitement in 2021 (also watch our exclusive interview with Will Hazlerigg, one of the festival’s co-founders) with the subsequent let-down of being told by reviewed government guidelines on covid one week before the festival, that it still cannot go ahead, left everybody devastated. Not just the organisers, but the ticket holders too, who loyally allowed for their tix to be carried forward yet again, looking forward to party again in 2022.

And now we know why so many people are just in love with this festival: Coney Woods is turned into the most enchanting, rave-friendly place on earth. Good, local food and drink allow you to recharge at all times, and, if you’ve booked yourself into a Portobello tent, boutique camping, or glamping, can be experienced at its finest. The atmosphere is super friendly, everybody seems to want the most enjoyable atmosphere possible for absolutely everybody, and this is also made possible by the lunatic dress codes, in which people make it their business to take to extreme heights. To the delight of everybody else…

The various stages provide great DJ set entertainment – either in a private party-in-the-garage atmosphere or, heading for the Liquid or Pyramid stage, where crowds heave in delight to electronic dance belters. Even though it’s all happening outdoors, the sound systems are utterly brilliant. We utterly adore the whole festival craze being lived out to the max at Noisily, as eco-friendly and health & wellness conscious as it is – your time to go CRAZIIIEEE is definitely NOW! (noisilyfestival.com)

Noisily Festival

Noisily, as it describes itself, is a ‘celebration of the individual, cultivates understanding for the collective and explores what it means to be human in this world.’ This includes proper respect for the environment, Coney Woods, and the fact that the Noisily wants to act as a leader in the UK’s festival wellness scene, also offering holistic and spiritual workshops and practices throughout the festival. Not difficult to see how that works, as these woods are just so enchanting…at the same time, the festival prides itself with being a platform for music, arts, psychedelic culture and creativity. Add to that the word ‘brilliant’ and you’re getting closer to reality!

Situated to the South-East of Leicester, you can reach the village of Nosely either by driving up the M1 or the A1 – the festival is roughly equidistant between both these highways. However, people are enticed to make their way to the festival by all sorts of transport, including bicycles and hiking. However, the nearest airport is London Luton, and taking the train from London would mean hopping on in St. Pancras to the festival’s nearest station, which is Market Harborough.

Noisily’s loyal following have allowed the festival to survive a pandemic lasting for 2 years. Through their crowd-funding efforts with ticket holders, the organisers have managed to keep it all afloat with the result, that 2022 came back with the loudest bang ever. Ravers were keen to live the experience, they’ve been waiting to make for two years, to the max. Hence, Will Hazlerigg (one of the co-founders) talks of the Noisily family with affection and a duty of care to make it all happen. The 2022 edition will be the last edition to take place in Coney Woods, as the festival will move to a larger site for their 2023 edition. Increasing capacity by a huge margin, every effort tis being made for the festival to keep its off beat character (mainstream is almost a swear word in this instance). Hence, the future looks bright and hugely exciting – see you all at the next edition, when the festival will be held from the 6 – 9 July 2023.

Henri Bergmann

Fresh talent of her quality will always stand out, and so Henri massively impressed us playing the Pyramid stage. The techno & house DJ and producer put on some absolute bangers, from older classics to brand new stuff of her own. She’s signed with Watergate’s DJ roster, hence is at home in Berlin, as she is in London. The BBc’s Radio 1 and Ibiza Global Radio have discovered her already, whilst DJ support comes from the likes of Laurent Garnier, Nick Warren, Ilario Alicante, John Digweed and many more.

After a mini-India tour in July’22 and recently debuting at Ibiza’s Pacha, she’s super excited about pushing on – also watch our exclusive interview with her after her set at the Pyramid stage! Having played iconic clubs in London like The Steel Yard, Egg London, Orange Yard, the Electric Brixton, E1 and Village Underground, she is so ready to impress the rest of the world. We love her style and we love pushing fresh talent at TA-DAH.TV…so watch this space!

Quivver

The man is a multi-talent! His real name is John Graham, and he is not just a DJ, but producer and in-demand vocalist as well. With a career spanning over two decades, we are not surprised that he spent over five years in DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJs. Keeping his sound on point and current, he’s part of a staple diet of DJs in the electronic scene on an international level. ‘Gangsta House’ is one of his musical creations, mixing old-school rap with hip-hop into fresh house remixes. 

TV and film scores are also part of his portfolio, having been involved with films such as ’The Taking of Pelham’, ‘Shrek Forever after 2010’, ’Twelve’ and a Charlize Theron movie trailer of ‘Young Adult’. Club-wise, he’s regularly seen at the decks across the pond, from LA, via San Fran to Miami as well. EDM runs through his veins, and there isn’t a beat he can’t handle and turn into new spun gold. At Noisily, the crowd was absolutely loving his set, where he mixed in some oldies-but-goodies floor fillers, to which people went absolutely crazy – a reinventor par excellence.

John Digweed

A man of dance music history, he clearly still has what it takes to get the crowd going! Headlining on the last day of the festival, his dance trance mixes just elated the crowd even further! Having made out as a DJ at the age of 15, there clearly isn’t a beat he hasn’t mixed, delving into pop along the way. Originally from Hastings (raves at Hastings Pier include top names like Carl Cox and The Prodigy), where he put on successful club nights, and when he hooked up with DJ Sasha (Alexander Coe), the duo Sasha & John Digweed was born. The two were the first ever Brit DJ duo to hold a residency at NYC’ most well known club at the time.

His vision and creative insight got him to seek out mixes/remixes from diverse acts such as Rui Da Silva (watch our exclusive interview with him in London on our YouTube channel in the Girl About Town section), Second Hand Satellites and POB, amongst others. His name stands for rock solid edm tunes, and whilst travelling the world, he still held down residencies at London’s Heaven and The Beach in Brighton. As part of the Bedrock label, he’s enjoyed Top 40 chart success, including the track ‘For What You Dream Of’, which was used for the cult film ’Trainspotting’. His radio show on Kiss100 became one of England’s most successful dance music shows in England – needless to say, he is in the top 20 of the highest earning DJs in the world.

As a person, he comes across rock solid, and maybe not the craziest guy on the planet, but he knows his sound and he knows how to mix, and the minute he dabbled into trance music for the set at the Pyramid stage, the place just lifted yet another notch higher in feel-good factor. He’ll be playing at the Aquasella Festival in Spain in August, will be at the BEON1X Open Mind Music Festival in Cyprus in September and has a 5-hour-set at London’s fabric coming up on 8 October’22, so sort your tickets early, ‘cos the man is totally worth it.

What is Noisily Festival

From their first festival back in 2012 with a modest crowd of 450 people, Noisily festival has been held amongst the trees of Coney Woods ever since. The organisers have been keen to put on an unforgettable event every year ever since.

With 3 main stages, 2 roaming stages and further speaker & activity stages, ravers can’t wait to have a simply awesome time in the Woods, escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday life and immersing themselves into the creative and soulful atmosphere of Noisily Festival. Featuring 3 days of top DJ sets, playing amongst spectacular stage design and wicked light shows, you can also take part in woodland walks, yoga classes, meditation sessions and even cacao ceremonies – it’s an unmissable experience. On top of this, all beverages and food are locally sourced, supporting the surrounding communities. So, it’s all good – for visitors and locals alike.

The founders’ ethos is centred around open mindedness and sharing knowledge. With 5 pillars at the core of their message:

  • Inclusion – The festival celebrates all and allows everyone to enjoy their party, irrespective of gender/sexuality/ethnicity.
  • The Environment – Caring about the environment is a central part of Noisily, focusing on looking after the local wildlife and community.
  • Wellness and Education – Offering a unique and alternative experience for learning holistic and spiritual practices.
  • Community – Despite an attendance of more than 6,000 people, the owners and founders of Noisily festival, are proud to maintain a community feel. Promoting the message that all who attend are part of one big family for these 4 days.
  • Creativity – The festival offers a platform for creativity to flourish, with music and the arts at the centre of the festival.

DJ sets at Noisily Festival

Noisily Festival has three main stages: Noisily Stage, Treehouse Stage, and Liquid Stage. Each year all three make sure you can get lost in dance and forget about time. Festival goers can expect a proper diverse collection of dance music with sets covering all genres such as House, Disco, Bass, Glitch, Hip Hop and Breaks. Whilst also offering one of the UK’s best outdoor psychedelic experiences from their famous Liquid Stage, lovers of EDM, house music, and deep house can dance until their feet hurt.

Despite the festival having been moved to next year, the line-up for 2021 would have been a real treat of homegrown British talent, including Eats Everything, John Digweed, Aidan Doherty, Audio Anonymous, Audley, Ben Coda, Dubspeeka, Henri Bergmann, Ipcress, John Monkman, Quivver & Tripswitch, and many others! Hopefully, many of them will make it to the next year’s edition, as they’re firm favourites with loads of ravers, so get your tix booked promptly.

Exploring mind, body, and soul at Noisily Festival

Surrounded by mother nature, Noisily festival is more than just a music festival, as it also offers an immersive wellbeing experience, allowing festival goers to connect with themselves and the event’s natural environment! This way, ravers can develop a deeper knowledge about their bodies, minds, and souls. It’s a real compilation of hedonism and escapism in a safe and inclusive space for all!

Across different areas of the festival, you will find a huge variety of classes and interactive workshops. Some of the events which take on a key feature each year include, yoga classes, cacao ceremonies, mindfulness workshops, woodland walks, and meditation practices. Not only will you leave the Leicestershire woodland full of joy and exuberance – you may even learn a thing or two about how to extend your general wellbeing, taking away the knowledge of certain rituals and practices you can implement to enhance your everyday life. There’s not a single festival around, that offers such a great overall experience quite like Noisily.

Looking forward to 2022, the festival will be celebrating 10 years since they opened their gates, hence the organisers are working super hard to make it the most fabulous summer gig ever! It is indeed a big deal, also giving them the chance to say Thank You to all the loyal fans and supporters, who make up the Noisily family, and who have helped to keep the festival alive through Crowd Funding efforts.

Be sure to go to TA-DAH.TV’s music channel to find out more about the best music festivals in Europe!

Lost Nomads in the Agafay Desert outside Marrakesh

The location is magical: a Bedouin venue in the Afagay desert outside Marrakesh! The first edition of the Lost & Nomads festival was a complete sell-out and huge success, with 2000 ravers living it large at this unique & exclusive setting in Morrocco. We couldn’t have had more fun, as a brilliant line-up over the 11th & 12th of June guaranteed that we could forget the world outside and just live, breathe and dance away under the stars. DJ sets were insanely good, and with Black Coffee headlining, delivering an absolute ace performance at the decks, nobody wanted the night to end.

Dancing away to the most evocative electronic sounds, house music, deep house all the way to Afro-house, with a good bit of disco & funk thrown in, EDM ruled the nights! It was glorious as people were simply enjoying themselves to the max! Watch our film now to catch the vibe and then stay glued to the MUSIC channel for next year’s date release 

Lost Nomads Festival

The brand new festival held its first edition in the secret location of the Afagay desert in Morocco, just 40 minutes outside Marrakesh on 11 & 12 June. The location offers breathtaking views of the majestic Atlas Mountains. Over two days, festival-goers enjoyed going crazy at a super exclusive location, and with 2000 tickets admitted, being a complete sell-out, it felt more like a huge private party than just another festival.

The festival was only created a few months ago, so it is a spectacular achievement by the organisers and the production team to pull this off in a relatively short period of time. Ravers were swept away by the magical location and a hugely impressive line-up – then, for it to all work out the way it did, meant that we’re on to a winning concept here. On the bill were influential acts such as Angelos, Nomads, Agoria, MR.ID, Amine K, Themba, SXTO, DJ Ateo, Irenee S, and with the South African and Grammy Award-winning DJ Black Coffee headlining, it’s easy to see why we all had such a great time. Every artist brought their own distinctive style of electronic music to the desert, where the energies were flying high.

Things to do in the Agafay Desert – Désert d’Agafay

This sand desert is located roughly 30km outside of Marrakesh, stretching over several hundred acres. Its rocky landscape offers fantastic views of the impressive Atlas Mountains, yet sand dunes also attract all sorts of activities. Berber villages still exist in this rugged part of Morocco til today, so authentic activities can still be experienced to date. Hot-Air balloon flying, camel rides, spending time at a luxury desert camp, enjoying outdoor jacuzzis and dining under the stars with breathtaking views can all be part of your travel experience.

Where to stay in Marrakesh

You can find the most beautiful oasis of calm at the Riad el Mezouar! Situated at a very accessible spot of the busy Medina quarter, Marrakesh’s Old Town, it is our best-kept secret for a luxurious and private stay in this famous Moroccan city. With only a handful of rooms, each and every one tastefully decorated and completely uniquely styled, it is the most welcoming place amidst the hustle & bustle of the old Medina. Owned and run by Romaine Lancaster, who, with her dedicated team of staff, will make sure that no request is too big or small, staying at Riad El Mezouar is guaranteed to provide you with a personal and unforgettable experience. Go to our TRAVEL channel now to find out more about this charming and tranquil Riad, which was originally built in the 17th and 18th centuries, and which now offers any intrepid traveler an exclusive and stylish stay in the metropole that is Marrakesh.