Carl Cox Will Bring New Live Show for Ultra Return

Earlier this month, it was announced that Carl Cox will return to Ultra Music Festival in 2025 after a notable absence last year. Of course, Cox will ensure his return is a must-attend by debuting a new live show, "Evolution," just in time for Ultra's 25th anniversary.

"This means I'll be playing my music live on stage, using a combination of hardware and software to create and manipulate sounds in real time," Cox shared in a statement.

The dance music legend has steadily progressed into a live DJ over the last few years. He took a piecemeal approach, starting with hybrid sets, but now wants the world to see him as a bona fide live performer.

"Unlike a DJ set with pre-recorded tracks, or my hybrid set that combines elements of live performance and DJing, I'll be crafting and evolving the music live, adding an extra layer of spontaneity and energy to the performance," he added. "This is something I've been planning for a long time, and I couldn't be more excited to bring it to life. I promised you all something special in honor of their 25th anniversary, and this is it."

Special guests will also join Cox for his inaugural "Carl Cox Invites" stage takeover — likely at Ultra's Megastructure stage. It will include live sets from Stephan Bodzin, Joris Voorn, Marc Romboy, and Cox back to back with Christopher Coe.

The crowd can also expect two live visual shows from Richie Hawtin's "DEX EFX X0X" set and Dubfire's "Evolv," which will "transform the 11-track collection of propulsive dancefloor tech into an immersive, sci-fi-inspired experience, vaunting 'Evolv' as the nocturnal soundtrack of the future," according to Ultra.

Carl Cox began spinning at Ultra in 2001. In 2004, he was bestowed a Carl Cox & Friends stage at the festival, which evolved into today's Megastructure. Cox has become Ultra's ambassador, playing the festival's many editions worldwide.

The Megastructure will also be home to the DJ/producer Solomun and his label Diynamic during the festival's upcoming year. Ultra Music Festival is scheduled for March 28-30 at Bayfront Park in downtown Miami.

Ultra Music Festival 2025. Friday, March 28, through Sunday, March 30, 2025, at Bayfront Park, 301 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; ultramusicfestival.com. Tickets cost $349.95 to $1,499.95 via ultramusicfestival.com/tickets.