In a few more weeks, we will be returning to the Windy City for an entire weekend filled with joy, House and Techno. Chicago’s premier Arc Music Festival returns to Union Park from August 29th to September 1st for the fifth time, and it’ll be crazier than ever. On top of returning stars, we are getting brand new acts that ought to blow your mind away. Get it? Because it’s windy…Anyway, here are the Top 5 must-see sets at Arc Music Festival.
Nicole Moudaber B2B Anfisa Letyago
In a true showcase of the feminine influence on the Techno soundscape, this b2b will give you chills. In the Mood radio host and MoodCollective label lead, Nicole Moudaber, joins the enigmatic N:S:DA label head Anfisa Letyago for an extra special and twisted b2b. Both DJs have already performed together earlier this year at CRSSD Festival in San Diego and Club Space in Miami. Now, it’s our town to dance as the sun comes down at Expansions. This duo is the perfect vibe for the mystical and obscure environment that the Expansions stage provides.
Since both artists played at the festival separately on different years, now it’s time to bring these two powerful sonic queens on the same dancefloor.
Boys Noize B2B VTSS
German House and Techno producer Boys Noize returns to Arc and is bringing none other than the Techno fashionista herself, Polish DJ and producer VTSS. This time, they are bringing their Arc after Dark magic. Back in 2023, both artists played a B2B set together at METRO, the venue above the legendary Smartbar. Their high-energy and punishing beats will have you stomping the ground at the Area 909 stage relentlessly. After years of mixing, their chemistry behind the decks is as powerful as ever, and we get to enjoy it all by ourselves.
Sub Focus
After half a decade of dancing on the magical grounds of Arc Music Festival, it’s time to broaden horizons. Mainly, switching it up a bit and introducing a new music genre to the event. House and Techno snobs are still lovers, after all. English Drum and Bass DJ and producer Sub Focus joins our list, and oh boy, how excited are we? We will need lots of cardio and stretching for this artist, as he will bring the beats to hyperspeed. This is not the first time Arc incorporates Drum and Bass into this audience, however. Last year, Auris Presents hosted a special Area 909 event at Radius, which included artists such as Klangkuenstler and Dimension.
Claude VonStroke
The Dirtybird founder enjoyed his hiatus while focusing on his bass persona, Barclay Crenshaw. Nonetheless, he couldn’t keep House from returning home, and now he is ready to enchant the Elrow stage with his groovy and funky beats. Coming from an astonishing performance at Lightning in a Bottle in Bakersfield, VonStroke is one of the House Legends that keep this music festival alive.
Honey Dijon B2B Derrick Carter
Two of the most emblematic characters in the underground scene in Chicago come together for a b2b that will not only be special, but also a statement of House Music’s Black and Queer Roots. Trans DJ and activist Honey Dijon will merge with her long-time friend, DJ and producer Derrick Carter, to create the most immaculate vibes at the Expansions stage. Prepare to dance in a sea of bodies covered in the sweat of freedom and liberation through the sounds and beats of the true underground.
The Auris Presents event is finally within its last tier of tickets, and tickets for Pre-Parties and the final day afterparty are available as well, with some having sold out already.
