EDM festivals have been in hot water the past few years for drug-related tragedies, behavioral arrests and unmanageable chaos. Electric Zoo cracked down this year on their entrance policies and now Ultra Music Festival has announced it will no longer be all-ages. The 2015 edition, March 27-29, will require attendees be at least 18 years old, Billboard reports.
Pre-registration for the festival begins September 15, and regular tickets go on sale later this year. As Billboard notes, the event typically sells out.
"While we sincerely value the incredible ongoing support from our younger fans, we ultimately believe that Ultra Music Festival is a premium event geared towards adults," said the festival's organizers in a statement on Tuesday. "This decision has been made to reinforce and promote the safety of all Ultra Music Festival fans and to ensure the overall enjoyment of all future attendees."
The 2014 rendition made headlines when a 28-year-old security guard was hospitalized after being trampled by gatecrashers attempting to get into the grounds.
The tragedy sparked talks of a ban, but the Miami City Commission voted 4-1 to let the event stick around one more year as long as they increase their security measures and surveillance.
Ultra has a new security director and former Miami Beach Police chief, Ray Martinez, who will head the improvement efforts.
"We have chosen to adopt several new measures during next year's festival to ensure our event is safe and secure," Martinez said in the release. "The first step to preserving the unique atmosphere that Ultra is famous for is to be proactive in attracting the right crowd."
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