House music comes home! Returning to Union Park in Chicago on August 30 – September 1, ARC Music Festival has recently released the lineup for this years edition of the festival. ARC’s fourth iteration will once again be featuring a majority of those leading house and techno scenes across the globe. Each year during Labor Day weekend festival goers are welcomed to the heart of Chicago for three days of dancing with a perfectly curated lineup that consists of legends, pioneers, and exciting newcomers. This year is no different as we take a look at another stacked lineup.
This year features strong headliners such as Featuring Armand van Helden, Carl Cox, and Disclosure.
Tickets are on sale now.
There are plenty of “headliner” level acts on this years billing. To name a few: Grammy nominated duo Disclosure, Carl Cox, Charlotte De Witte, Hot Since 82, Dom Dolla, Mau P, and Reiner Zonneveld. This lineup even includes Sven Väth who is notoriously rare to catch in the United States. If that was not enough for you, ARC has announced that many of these artists will be collaborating to bring on some of the most unique B2Bs we have seen yet. Carl Cox B2B Green Velvet, Dennis Ferrer B2B Honeyluv, Hot Since 82 B2B Chris Stussy, and Ben Sterling B2B Rossi are some that we are most excited about.
One of the reasons ARC is always a must attend, in my opinion, is the fact that the festival bookers really do their best to bring a diverse and equitable amount of house and techno of all styles. Seeing names like Purple Disco Machine, who has done a remarkable job modernizing disco and blending it with house, alongside the likes of tech-house classics duo Gorgon City is always a treat. If star power is what you are looking for, then look no further than Kaskade (performing one of his Redux sets), The Martinez Brothers, and Idris Elba. There will be can’t miss acts performing on each of the four stages that ARC hosts each year.
AREA 909 brought the heat last year with returning act Sara Landy.
One of the hottest stages from last year, both figuratively and literally, AREA 909 was filled to the brim with techno of all kinds. One set that festival goers could not stop talking about was the masterpiece put on by Sara Landry. I remember being at this set last year, and while yes it was extremely hot, everyone packed in and continued dancing as hard as they could for the high priestess of hard techno. This has brought a louder outcry for more hard techno this year, and ARC has happily decided to lean in. Bringing the likes of German hard techno DJ Klangkuenstler, the Frenchmen Nico Moreno, and the Ukrainian up and comer Daria Kolosova will be sure to give festival goers their fix of hard booming techno.
In addition to AREA 909, ARC will return all four of its stages from 2023. The Grid will continue to serve as the main stage filled with headlining acts, Elrow brings a new theme this year, KAOS GARDEN, for this years edition of the beloved tech-house stage, and Expansions will provide even more melodic immersion this year as plans have been plans announced to increase the radius of this stage.The party is not over once the festival grounds close in Grant Park.
Auris Presents makes sure that the entire city of Chicago has clubs open for after party programming entitled ARC After Dark. ARC After Dark shows right as festival doors close at 10pm and run until the early hours of the morning. These events will begin to be announced soon, and spans from Thursday to Monday. ARC attendees will tell you that ARC After Dark is where the weekend long celebration really comes to life.
This years edition of the after party series spans over 13 venues, 30 parties, and 80 artists, and is exclusively available only to ARC festival pass holders. A large portion of these shows end up selling out within the first week tickets are on sale, so be sure to be on the lookout for when they go live. The best way to make sure you get access to all your desired after parties is to be a ticket holder in advance of the ARC After Dark Announcement!
As we await further updates on the festival, check out our review of last years festival here to prepare yourself for the journey that is ARC Music Festival. Hype is building up quick, so be sure to pick up your tickets and be ready to hit the dance floor during Labor Day Weekend!
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