Dutch electronic titan Hardwell delivered a showstopping moment at Ultra Music Festival Miami last month, opening his Main Stage set with the live debut of his latest single, ‘Sanctuary’. Packed with progressive energy and tinged with trance-inspired euphoria, the track set the tone for a historic set—and marked a fresh sonic chapter in Hardwell’s evolving musical journey.
Returning to Ultra’s iconic Main Stage for the 11th time, Hardwell proved once again why he remains one of dance music’s most influential figures. The set was a high-octane blend of unreleased IDs, beloved Hardwell classics, and festival anthems that kept the crowd in a frenzy from start to finish.
At the heart of the performance was ‘Sanctuary’, a track that finds Hardwell embracing emotion and melody while still honoring his big room roots. Swelling synths, soaring builds, and an emotive arrangement make it one of his most memorable releases in recent years—a clear signal that he’s ready to push his mainstage sound into deeper, more melodic territory.
“Over the past few months, I found myself diving more and more into melodic structures and playing around with different soundscapes,” said Hardwell. “Out of all the projects I was working on, ‘Sanctuary’ was one I just couldn’t let go of. It’s not quite a full trance track, but it definitely pulls in elements from that genre, which I love.”
The full Ultra 2025 set is available now on YouTube, offering fans a chance to relive the debut of ‘Sanctuary’ and the electric atmosphere of one of this year’s most talked-about performances.
Adding to the celebrations in Miami, Hardwell and fellow Dutch icon Armin van Buuren were awarded ‘Best Mainstage Song of the Year’ at the EDMA Awards for their 2024 collaboration ‘Follow The Light’—a well-deserved honor for two of the scene’s most legendary pioneers.
Hardwell – ‘Sanctuary’ is out now via Revealed Recordings.
Revealed: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Spotify
Hardwell: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Spotify