ARC Music Festival has been the beacon of Chicago’s biggest celebration dedicated to house music and techno. Over the last five years, ARC has been the most successful music festival since its inception. ARC Music Festival is returning to Union Park this Labor Day Weekend from August 29 to August 31, with another impressive lineup that is too good to miss out on this year’s talent. Once again this year’s hottest genre is techno, making it go viral to the extent of headlining the Sphere, one of the biggest and iconic arenas in The States. The 2025 lineup marks its most diverse and ambitious curation yet, featuring pioneering legends, next-generation tastemakers, and groundbreaking back-to-back sets that embody the festival's spirit of innovation and celebration.

ARC is led by Auris Presents, Chicago’s leading force in obscure and unique events and festivals. ARC believes in a non-stop music world extending the festivities with its legendary ARC After Dark series. Running for five nights from Thursday through Monday, with electrifying afterparties at Chicago’s biggest nightclubs, keeping the nightlife running all night long with exclusive sets and special guests. Beginning on Thursday, August 28 with an exclusive opening party from PRYDA. Last year, ARC After Dark spanned over 13 venues, 30 parties, and 80 artists. ARC After Dark is available exclusively to ARC Music Festiva pass holders.

Now it’s time to talk about ARC's biggest lineup in house and techno history. This year the lineup spans multiple newcomers to the industry, driving a large fanbase over a few years. Delivering the largest spectrum of house and techno icons and legends plus pairing these artists for one-in-lifetime back-to-back performances. This year’s lineup invites returning acts such as Eric Prydz, Pryda, and Cirez D and the world’s largest party concept elrow. The lineup is further spearheaded by genre-defying superproducer Jamie xx, Chicago's global house sensation John Summit, techno powerhouse Amelie Lens, pioneering veteran Richie Hawtin, and high-energy crowd favorite FISHER. The Queen of techno and label boss of MOOD Records Nicole Moudaber, Bristol-born Eli Brown, Berlin-based Alignment, rising UK star Effy, and high-octane selector Supergloss lead heavier techno curation on the lineup.

More artists making it on the 2025 ballot are KI/KI, Amsterdam’s leading lady in techno, establishing a unique style of sound by infusing techno and trance, and Italy’s leading lady in techno, Anfisa Letyago rising to fame with her iconic Cercel set in 2022. More house music artists include Max Styler, Matisa, and returning as his funk-house alias Claude VonStroke. Additional highlights include Ireland export KETTAMA, South Africa's DESIREE, Smiile founder Chloe Caillet, BBC Radio's Arielle Free, Book Club Radio sibling duo TINZO + JOJO, the infectious sounds of Shermanology, and breakout sensation its murph. Paying tribute to Chicago and Detroit's historical roots while highlighting the next generation of artists shaping the future, ARC's lineup also includes DJ Sneak back-to-back DJ Heather, the father-daughter duo Floorplan, and HiTech, whose electrifying blend of Juke, footwork, and techno embodies the city's ever-evolving underground sound.

A cornerstone of ARC's unparalleled curation is its showing of standout back-to-back sets, showcasing the festival's core ethos of uniting the diverse global sounds of house music while honoring its Chicago roots. This year features a Chicago and Detroit meeting of the minds with Cajmere back-to-back with Carl Craig, a pairing of legends with Green Velvet will go back-to-back with Skepta Más Tiempo, and a first-time back-to-back of Felix da Housecat and Mike Dunn. Added highlights include Chicago torchbearers Honey Dijon back-to-back Derrick Carter, underground luminaries Boys Noize back-to-back VTSS, hard-hitting mainstays Adam Beyer back-to-back Layton Giordani, and a meeting of new and old school with HAAi back-to-back Hiroko Yamamura. In 2025, fans can discover the US invasion of the UK Garage represented by Skream back-to-back Hamdi. The festival's first ever drum & bass set with Sub Focus making his ARC debut, the eclectic high bpm stylings of Interplanetary Criminal back-to-back Malugi, and underground purveyors Eris Drew back-to-back Octo Octa, who have been largely responsible for permeating underground spaces around the globe with Chicago's rich sonic ethos.

Global house and techno enthusiasts can expect an immersive experience at ARC, where carefully curated production elements and art will seamlessly connect each of its four unique stage environments. ARC's four stages include the industrial Grid stage, the interactive and psychedelic atmosphere of Spain's famed elrow with its iconic performers, the deeper sounds of the Expansions stage, and Area 909 which will be a tribute to the roots of house and techno in a raw, high-energy setting.

VIP and GA weekend passes are now available to purchase through the official ARC Music Festival website. Again this year ARC is partnered with some of Chicago’s most popular hotels, booking links are available exclusively through the official website. Create the most memorable Labor Day Weekend by witnessing iconic house music and techno acts in the industry.

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