Ultra is a magical place. Magazines write off EDM culture as "disposable", but like it or not it's been around for decades and won't be going anywhere anytime soon. It's pretty impressive that every year, thousands of people come from all over the world to party together and get reaaaal lit for 3-7 nights straight. You look around and you see flags from Canada (so sorry!) Sweden, Mexico, and China (Ultra China 2017) just to name a few. Winners from this weekend include sets by Axwell ^ Ingrosso and DJ Snake, a large amount of Asians wearing Off-White, and given your proximity to one of those previously mentioned flags, the nice rain fort you could stand under while it poured. Biggest loser was that dude we saw while walking in who was wearing Yeezy's to a music festival. Like we get it, you have really dope shoes and this argument could just be stemming from me being jealous, but they're about to be seriously "not so dope" after this weekend. Also, who looks at someone's feet when you're in a crowd of a music festival anyways besides the people too fucked up to remember them or the ones looking for their stolen iphone?

I've been asked by my parents multiple times why I keep returning to music festivals. They see as an unnecessary expense when I've already seen the headliners before, so why go back again? I come out of the weekend zombie-like and in search of carbohydrates, but blissfully happy with my experience each time. Ultra isn't just about the amazing sound system and unrivaled light show. What interests me about each music festival I've gone to is the unique crowd experience I've had, and the shared memories with my friends and the thousands of others attendees. Hearing a song from a set can bring back all of the feels and you can feel the bass vibrating through your body once again. It was v cool to see a number of people sporting dad hats instead of flower crowns though, and I had the grandest time. Look out for my post later this week about Chicago fest fashion as we approach music festival szn this summer!