ARC Music Festival is returning to Chicago this Labor Day Weekend. The city’s flagship house and techno festival features a stellar lineup including Adam Beyer, Black Coffee, Boris Brejcha, Eric Prydz, Hot Since 82, James Hype, John Summit, Nina Kraviz, Tale of Us, and Vintage Culture.
They have just taken it to another level with their Dark Afterparty Lineups. Their venues include RADIUS, Cermak Hall, Concord Music Hall, PRYSM, Spybar, Smart Bar/Metro, and Smoke & Mirrors. The 5-day afterparties include both pre and post-festival fun.
Thursday kicks off at Smoke & Mirrors with a pre-party presented by celebrated female-empowering organization Lady Of The House. Chicago icons DJ Heather, DJ Lady D, Biobooster aka Hiroko Yamamura, and Dani Deahl will lead the way. Walker & Royce will soundtrack the Thursday pre-party at Spybar for a Rules Don’t Apply takeover, while Ben Klock brings his intense and powerful brand of techno to a pre-party at Prysm.
Friday highlights include a Radius After Dark show from the legendary Eric Prydz alongside fellow titan Adam Beyer. German FCKNG SERIOUS label head Boris Brejcha will also take the decks at Cermak Hall. Nina Kraviz, DJ Slugo, and Hieroglyphic Being will light up Concord Music Hall for a confluence of techno and ghetto house presented by Document Journal while breakout star Anfisa Letyago joins veterans DJ Minx and Cassy at Spybar.
Smart Bar/Metro provides an electric two-floor affair to kick off the weekend featuring the eclectic VTSS and Boys Noize going back to back alongside Steel City Dance Discs stars Mall Grab and Kettama.
Saturday spotlights a Chicago vs Detroit showcase featuring the highest class of veteran talent including The Blessed Madonna, Moodymann, Carl Craig, Mike Dunn, and DJ Pierre presented by Test Pressing. Meteoric hometown sensation John Summit will command the decks at Radius while Dennis Cruz and Ilario Alicante keep the party going at Spybar. International meets local legends with Patrick Topping, Loco Dice, and DJ Heather at Cermak Hall plus Hot Since 82 and Derrick Carter at Concord Hall.
Sunday features global sensations and Afterlife leaders Tale of Us for an After Dark thriller alongside fast riser Kevin De Vries. Brazilian breakout Mochakk will play an intimate show at Smoke & Mirrors while techno heavy hitters Sara Landry, Volvox, and Patrixia b2b Chess Knight lead Cermak Hall’s final night. Other highlights include South African artists Black Coffee and THEMBA at PRYSM, Vintage Culture b2b Carlita at Condord, plus Âme and Chloé Caillet at Spybar.
Monday concludes the weekend with Farris Wheel’s Anita Dee II Yacht party takeover featuring label head Gene Farris alongside Eskuche and Basara Boyz. Spanish standout Wade will also play an after party to cap PRYSM’s final day.
These are shows you will not want to miss. You can buy tickets here!