Chicago’s flagship techno and house music festival, ARC has announced its initial lineup. The infamous festival has rapidly grown since its first debut, ARC heads into its third year firmly rooted as a fan-favorite in the global festival circuit, continuing to bring in internationally renowned talent to the birthplace of house music. Over its short span, ARC has already grounded and established a legacy as a music event uniting scenes and connects communities. Inviting iconic label parties to collaborate, creating an international scale. ARC continues to expand as a leading name in the global scene by shining a spotlight on the rich cultural heritage of Chicago house music and bridging the genre’s local and global pioneers with the next generation of world-class artists. The 2023 edition will be taking place September 1-3 at Union Park.
In the dance music community, Labor Day is the weekend when multiple festivals take place. It solidifies the closing weekend of the festival season, bringing together multiple genre communities and creating new memories. There are many reasons why ARC Festival should be on your festival calendar but we highlighted five important reasons that make the house music and techno festival so unique.
Underground Artists
This year’s lineup showcases a wide variety of house music and techno, inviting global international DJs and producers. ARC Festival highlights and provides an opportunity for upcoming underground artists. The 2023 ARC ballot features talented underground artists in the likes of UK upbeat house music DJ and producer Fleur Shore, with her wild and elaborate production. Australian-based DJ and producer, Mall Grabwill take over the decks with his vibrant attitude and style of sound. The Australian operates at a fast pace and a dangerously high frequency that has been impossible to ignore. Turkish DJ and producer, Carlita will bring her inventive talent and psychedelic sound to the ARC festival. Her sound materialized from Insanbal, incorporating her Turkish roots and instrumental percussions to create her own unique and distinctive take on house and techno. Along with the heavyweight techno and house music icons taking over the stages at ARC, the festival will not be complete without the upcoming talent.
Elrow Returns as Stage Host
Spanish party outfit Elrow will return to ARC. The iconic loco fiesta will bring its signature love and dance and colorful vibes for elrow’s takeover. Known for its renowned psychedelic production and outrageous surprises, performers and hijinx have made it one of the most celebrated brands in the world. Elrow is touching down bespoke events annually in Barcelona, Ibiza, New York, London, Dubai, Miami, Las Vegas, Sydney, and many more essential markets. This year at ARC Festival, elrow will represent its only festival stage takeover in the USA.
Eric Prydz presents HOLO
Eric Prydz returns this year with his iconic HOLO show. The magnificent event takes dancers on a journey through sight and sounds with his jaw-dropping 3D visuals. The eye-popping, mindblowing visuals are unique all their own, becoming a viral sensation through social media. It's a treat and a dream to be a part of the experience, at a HOLO show, you are entering the mind of Eric Prydz. HOLO has toured many festivals such as Tomorrowland, and Creamfields, but never at an American festival, making its debut US festival appearance. Techno legend Adam Beyer also makes his return following last year’s monumental back-to-back with Prydz’ Cirez D alias. Perhaps the two might perform a surprise set, who knows?
Chicago Icons
Chicago has shaped the dance music industry for decades, some of the most famous house and techno talent emerged from the city. Without Chicago house, there would be no dance music. From the early days of dance music, Chicago was one of the first cities to experience the global phenomenon. The lineup would not be complete without its house music architects such as Derrick Carter. His sets are rooted in-house, but he freely travels outside club tastes, seamlessly incorporating old-school disco, soul, jazz, and whatever catches his fancy. The bonafide house legend, Gene Farris has been molding the scene since the beginning. He's been pushing musical boundaries for close to three decades, from spinning at underground warehouse parties in the early 90s to working with the current crop of world-leading labels and artists. International DJ, singer, songwriter, and landmark figure of dance music, Colette. She first gained attention when she started singing over her DJ mixes and became a resident at Chicago’s SmartBar. She teamed up with the legendary house and techno artists for some of her biggest singles and releases. Including DJ Heather who is also on this year’s ARC lineup. DJ Heather is another Chicago household native who has been lighting up the dance floors with her unique rhythms and catchy beats. Trailblazer,DJ Lady Dhas been playing internationally as well as in Chicago’s major nightclubs for the better part of two decades. She has garnered a loyal following and reputation as a headliner. Fall in line alongside acid-house artist Hiroko Yamamura. Once she hits the decks, the isolation melts away as she lights up dance floors with an homage to the House, Acid, and techno sounds that shaped the Chicago Rave Sound. Alongside are some Detroit pioneers like Carl Craig, Moodymann, and DJ Minx.
Festival Experience
Over the past three-year expansion, the ARC festival has come a long way from a two-day festival to a full weekend event. Inviting global and local talented artists and impressive lineups each year that alone will draw huge crowds across the country. Every festival strives to be the best and offer the greatest experience to every attendee and artist. ARC fans will also be treated to intimate afterparties across Auris Presents and ARC partner venues RADIUS, Cermak Hall, PRYSM, Concord Music Hall, and more. ARC AFTER DARK will soon release upcoming before and after parties to keep the momentum going throughout the entire weekend. Snag your party passes. Every festival has an information page, but ARC is the only festival that has a hotline. People can call the active number for a special message from the artists of ARC, special promotions, and secret information about the festival. Call 312-897-2030 and leave ARC a special message. The city of Chicago will be transformed by the inspirational cultural movement of house music. Attendees will be surrounded by impeccable art and decor, handmade statues, and creative sculptures plus innovative side activities and vendors. The Auris Presents team will lead these efforts, bringing decades of unique event experience and curation across their independent endeavors.
Just halfway through the incredible summer season with massive festivals worldwide, and today, Insomniac Events surprised the community with a mind-blowing full lineup drop of EDC Orlando. Set to perform at the three-day affair this November 11-13, 2022. Once again, EDC will take over Orlando’s Tinker Field. The colorful celebration with sunshine and positive energy will host plenty of elite performers and up-and-coming acts. The festival will include the highly anticipated sunset performances with Kaskade Redux, Dom Dolla, Above & Beyond, and more. EDC Orlando will also champion talented producers, including 999999999 (Hybrid Live/DJ Set), Green Velvet Presents La La Land, John Summit, Vintage Culture, Pauline Herr, Charlotte de Witte, plus over one hundred other artists. First debuted at EDC Las Vegas earlier this year, the kineticBLOOM will be on full display in Orlando, celebrating the growth of personal connections and the seed of a unique flower known over the last 26 years as the Electric Daisy.
Electric Daisy Carnival and Orlando have always brought a wide variety to every lineup each year, raising the bar in creativity and lineup curating. Each year, Insomniac sets high standards and never slows down to engage in creating new experiences. Festival goers always return every year because it delivers a different experience. More festival activities, unique drinks specials, immersive actors and performers, and iconic DJ sets. EDC grows each year, inviting more talented artists and attracting more attendees. Throughout its eleven years, EDC Orlando has evolved into a major festival in the United States. It's a celebration of all the successful years the festival created with all the loving fans. Here are some exciting and fun facts about EDC Orlando.
EDC is a cashless event
It can be annoying not being able to use cash at EDC. There is an option for cash to be exchanged onsite for a prepaid card with the merchants. But who wants to do that? However, we are living in a new age where everyone is using a phone, and everything is digital. EDC accepts Credit, debit, Samsung Pay, Apple Pay, and Android Pay. Paying cashless does make lines go a little faster when buying merch, food, or beverages. Unless the systems go down.
Five Stages
Many of Insomniac’s signature brands will champion EDC Orlando’s four iconic stages, including Dreamstate, Bassrush, Insomniac Records, and Factory 93. Plus, the main stage, known as kineticFIELD, adopts the same construction as Vegas. From ethereal trance music and heavy-hitting bass to the dance floor sounds of house and techno. Insomniac’s curated music lineups continue strengthening the behemoth's reach to electronic dance fans across all genres. The Ryno Bus Art Car will also host the best local talent from the region, including a day dedicated to Florida breaks.
Huge Crowd
Last year’s high-energy festival brought a sold-out crowd of 300,000 Headliners together for three days of blooming beats inspired by the nature of the kineticZEN festival theme. Since its first edition in 2011, Insomniac’s EDC Orlando festival has continued to grow in size, now totaling more than 40 acres of the insane festival experience. Now spanning five music stages, attendance nearly tripled in just the last three years. This year will draw an even more significant number of people with the rise of festival action and success rates.
The Vibe
Downtown Orlando’s lively hub of entertainment and nightlife will also transform into EDC Orlando’s official pre-party and afterparty destination. Throughout recent years, it has hosted various events across multiple nights. Full performance and venue details will be announced soon.
Tickets are on sale for EDC Orlando, with three-day GA passes starting at $199.99 and VIP passes starting at $399.99. Please visit the link purchase; while they are still at Tier 1, prices will increase and sell out.
Imagine Music Festivalcontinues its splash within the festival and dance music scene. Phase two of their 2022 lineup, the news continues with the new location in Kingston Downs, Georgia, USA. On September 16 and 18, world-class headliners, underground talent, and local artists will create new memories with attendees. In addition, Imagine continues to build its reputation of a massive lineup with stage takeovers, and back-to-back sets.
The emerging artist is a British-born DJ and producer based in Atlanta, GA. While living in the UK, his first taste of dance music came in the late 80s and early 90s while going to clubs like Manchester’s legendary Haçienda and Thunderdome. He is taking over the tech-house scene by storm. His sound is recognizable and delightful, with multiple releases on notorious record labels. His dedication to the community and love for music helps provide him with the opportunity to impact fans worldwide. The sky is the limit for him and his music.
She is one of the Southeast's favorite and most respected DJs and producers in the dance music scene. She is making creative waves both stateside and across the planet by bringing unique and raw style with her live performances and original music. As a fixture in the Southeast music scene, she has spearheaded “Housework CLT.” She’s a huge advocate in the LBGTQ+ community, which led her to collaborate with Nomad Talent to create an event called “Girls Room,” celebrating queer women in music. As a DJ, she has massive control over the decks and crowd. She has vast potential and passion within the dance music industry.
Pronounced “ah-tica,” he is one of the top upcoming house DJs and producers. He makes waves in the underground house music scene with multiple original tracks based in Atlanta, GA. His catchy tunes and warm vibes transcend throughout his range of sound. He collaborates with different artists giving them opportunities. ‘Take My Hand’ is a hot favorite that will soon be a worldwide anthem.
This Atlanta-based DJ and producer are known for becoming the hottest up-and-coming act in the American Techno scene. Although he has a string of ultra-successful releases dropped throughout the last two years, he’s now been picked up and signed exclusively by UMEK. In addition, he is currently performing all over North and Central America on his ‘Disruption’ tour. The talented DJ is now a significant force in the States and rapidly growing in the underground techno scene. He is poised to become one of North America’s new generation of Techno icons.
The multi-talented artist is a vocalist and songwriter born in Florida but raised in Georgia. TJ and his older brother Dariansincebirth have made power moves in the EDM world with so many heavy bass tracks. As well as some insane house tunes as a duo by the name of Jimmy Wit An H. After starting his solo vocal project as “Justtjokay,” he has been able to showcase more of the many sounds he has. TJ began as a producer in studio engineering, songwriting, and vocal recording. He formed a production group called The Saviours Music Group and produced under a Deep House/Chill House alias known as dcomprss. He constantly expands his musical elements by dabbling with other ranges in music, such as a downtempo, deep house, G-House, and slap-house.
This LA-based, UK-born producer continues to tell his story of healing and inner peace through his euphoric deep, and progressive house sound. His signature flair in crafting emotive dancefloor hits has led him to remix from top heavyweights. He’s one of the top artists on the Anjunadeep label, where he first began his career. He’s made a few appearances on guest mixes for Above & Beyond and Joris Voorn. It's common to get lost in the vibes and emotions when he’s behind the decks.
The aquatic-themed festival will be set in an organic oasis, featuring three days of the world's best DJs, artists, and performances on master-crafted stages, poised to dive into 'A New World' at Kingston Downs. Imagine Music Festival will provide fans with enhanced infrastructure, including paved roads, an expanded footprint, and topography with proper drainage than previous sites. Fans can also expect workshops, yoga and meditation classes, health and wellness classes, food from over one hundred vendors, including vegan and local options, cirque, and more. General Admission and VIP passes are still available for the three-day festival. All weekend festival passes now include GA Tent-Only camping access and early Thursday arrival. VIP passes with express entry into the festival and other exclusive perks. Imagine Music Festival is an 18 and over event.
Summer is officially here! Other countries flourish during the dance music festival season. People from their native land travel fair for their specific destination festivals. After waiting so long because of the travel bans, this is the year when the biggest festivals make their most significant return. Some countries gear up all year long for one festival; others have over seventy hundred weekend festivals. Festivals in Europe are a completely different world compared to American festivals. There always are clean toilets, including general admission, well-organized security, and some of the most incredible locations imaginable. If anyone plans an overseas trip, these festivals are worth traveling to for the ultimate experience. These are just a few out of the massive list of European festivals.
Secret Project
Secret Project - Portimao Beach, Portugal | June 17-18
An emerging festival born in the prospering underground scene of downtown Los Angeles. Fusing art, cutting-edge technology, and exceptionally curated house and techno music, the festival is known for its daytime moments, ready to grow beyond its origin. It focuses on a spectrum of underground electronic sound that has always been represented. The festival debuted to great acclaim in Europe with a sold-out crowd of nearly 20,000 attendees during ADE. Secret Project now expands to Portugal for a more organic and sun-kissed affair. It is on sweeping sandy beaches with dramatic limestone rock formations and stunning ocean views.
This is an all-techno festival and is one of the biggest festivals in Europe. It’s located in Torino, Italy, and this year it extended the program to three days. Inviting over sixty-five international artists, twenty-four Italian performers, and over fifty thousand participants from over eighty countries. They were the first Italian festival to introduce cashless technology to purchase goods and services at the Festival through a loyalty card. This year’s catalog of techno artists performing at KFF will be the top elite headliners and local talent. Bringing the best of techno artists to date. Each year the city of Torin is taken over by techno and Kappa Futur Festival.
Romania’s most prominent festival returns to Transylvania at Bánffy Castle. It is one of the only festivals in the world where artists and DJs can perform at an old castle. Taking place next to the iconic 15th-century, in the pristine nature of Transylvania, Electric Castle surprises at every edition with a creative lineup, touching a diversity of genres with new media installations and music performances. It's no wonder that the festival was voted the best European festival. Its breathtaking scenery and historical surroundings create an out-of-the-ordinary way of living and feeling. Some of the most legendary sets and performances emerged from Electric Castle, top headlining acts from all forms of dance music. It is creating a vibe and producing elements with unimaginable creativity to create iconic sets and experiences.
Tomorrowland
Boom, Belgium | July 15-17 | July 22-24 | July 29-31
Not one, not two, but three weekends of Tomorrowland this year! It's been years since festival-goers could attend the motherland of music festivals. In celebration of their most significant return in history is extending to three back-to-back weekends. I can’t imagine who has the funds and energy to do all three weekends. Each year the festival sells out within minutes. This year was record-breaking. The complete camping festival entertains campers at the DreamVille stage with a pre-party. The entire country and city of Boom come together to celebrate Tomorrowland with multiple city and local pre-parties. It's an experience all on its own between the food, attendees, production, and decorations. One of the only festivals in the world with its airline and European travel package, Global Journey. The lineup includes top global artists and local Belgian DJs. It welcomes over eight hundred of the world's finest electronic artists to one giant dance floor performing at over fifteen stages. The festival has earned the name of the best festival in the world.
The 100% all techno festival will host no less than nine areas, both outdoor stages and tents. It is located at Spaarnwoude Houtrak, just outside of Amsterdam. Awakenings has a unique style with top-quality stage design and immersive light shows. It’s one of my personal all-time favorite music festivals. It’s all techno; I have witnessed some of the best sets and performances. This year will have over 80,000 attendees and over one hundred techno DJs. Every artist plays to their total capacity. For the first time in history, attendees will be able to stay the night at our Festival. To get the complete experience, Awakenings is extending to a three-weekend. The ticket gives people access to the festival & extensive camping program each night.
Celebrating ten years of electronic music! The festival returns this year for its biggest event to date. They are located along the Kastel Fortress's walls, on the Vrbas River's left bank. It's home to the biggest festival in Bosnia. In addition to the complete infrastructure are the unique bars, DJ stages, and thick shade under the canopy. Plus, the festival visitors can enjoy rafting. and have unforgettable moments on the magnificent traditional Dayak boat rides. Along with purchasing a festival ticket, attendees can camp for FREE! This year’s lineup is an array of different realms of techno and house music. The lineup features Hernán Cattáneo, Claptone, Hot Since 82, Technasia, Sama’ Abdulhadi, and Adam Beyer.
The motherland of festivals celebrates its 25 anniversary. It's an electronic dance music festival series founded and organized by British club promoter Cream. It was first held in 1998 in Winchester, then moved to its current location on the Daresbury Estate in Cheshire. During the Platinum Jubilee weekend, it recently closed out its first edition of Creamfields South at Hylands Park, Chelmsford. The original festival has attracted over one hundred thousand attendees. It’s home to one of the most thought-out forward-thinking festival production. Where iconic DJs and producers perform the most legendary sets of their entire musical careers. The festival brand has expanded internationally to multiple countries Hong Kong and Thailand. The festival is the UK’s oldest and most prestigious music event.
It’s one of the biggest festivals in the Netherlands. Visitors can immerse in a magical festival experience all weekend long. It's both a Weekend and Camping Festival. Camping visitors will enjoy a full weekend program, including an extra festival day on Friday and an exclusive afterparty on both Friday and Saturday. More than 300 of the world’s most famous artists, including the likes of DJ Snake, Oliver Heldens, Paul Kalkbrenner, Alan Walker, Carl Cox, Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano, Volvox, Tijana T, Dom Dolla, Kapuchon, Sefa, Ran-D, and Ronnie Flex & The Fam. Located in Haarlemmermeer and attracting 100,000 visitors from over 100 different countries. Spreading out the acts over 22 breathtaking stages, in both open-air as in huge tents with laser shows and state-of-the-art sound systems, Mysteryland has something for everyone. Now completing the star-studded 2022 lineup, the countdown to a legendary end of the festival summer can begin.
Solardo announces its largest festival with its own charm and character and will be brought to life with world-class sound and production. Attendees can expect many stunning views over the walled city and glistening sea, with breathtaking sunsets and sunrises. Every day as festival-goers can enjoy beachside takeovers, pool and fortress parties, and terrace sessions like no other. There is a wide variety of accommodation options for Higher, including the elegant suites, luxury spa, and spectacular views of Valamar Lacroma, the beautiful Valamar Argosy Hotel with its fine restaurant, terrace, wellness zone and infinity pool, the exquisite 5* Valamar Collection Dubrovnik just a few minutes from the Old Town and Tirena Sunny Hotel. Dubrovnik is a high-class musical getaway in a beautiful location with some of the underground's most vital DJ talent. The first wave of names includes Marco Carola, FJAAK, Nicole Moudaber, Mall Grab, Maya Jane Coles, Vintage Culture, Nic Fanciulli, Lee Foss, and many more.
