Finally Breaking Out of the Vegas Loop

For years, catching Calvin live in the States felt like a broken record. Unless you caught him closing out a mega-festival like Coachella, your only real option was booking a flight to Vegas, dealing with crowded casino lobbies, and paying eye-watering table minimums at LIV or Omnia.

Those desert club residencies certainly pay him well, but they leave everyday fans across the rest of the country completely starved for a regular tour date. A coordinated, coast-to-coast guerrilla campaign like this does not happen for a simple club renewal or a couple of festival slots. Everything points to a full-blown North American arena run, marking his first dedicated coast-to-coast tour in what feels like an eternity.

Catalog Built for Massive Crowds

Very few producers in dance music history have a hit arsenal that can match Calvin’s run. Even at Ultra 2024, some fans criticized his set for being too mainstream, prompting a response from Harris himself.

Between golden-era festival weapons like ‘Summer’ and ‘Under Control,’ the sun-drenched groove of his Funk Wav Bounces project, and his recent 90s Eurodance heaters like ‘Miracle,’ his catalog touches every corner of the scene. Hearing those records belted out by thousands of people under arena rafters is a completely different experience from catching an hour-long VIP club set in the desert.

With cities from coast-to-coast already receiving personal shoutouts, a full schedule of dates and venues could drop at any moment. Keep your notifications on and your wallet ready, because whenever those tour dates finally arrive, those tickets are going to disappear fast.

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Inspired and shaped by the powerful stanza of Mary Oliver’s Wild Geese, SOFI TUKKER brought plenty of animal print outfits and good times to Chicago’s Huntington Bank Pavilion on September 25th. SOFI TUKKER’s two members, Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern, wore their hearts on their sleeves for what felt like an homage to their history as creatives.

From clips of their early days DJing during the COVID-19 pandemic to citing their sources of inspiration, the duo gave a vulnerable, joyous performance for their fans.

Animal Print Everywhere

The theme of the night was loud and clear: animal print. Zebra stripes and jaguar spots adorned every inch of the venue and brought the set’s opening visuals to life—a compilation of animal cutouts with an excerpt from Mary Oliver’s Wild Geese playing along.

Sophie and Tucker finally emerged to hyena cackles and tiger growls from an ecstatic audience. Following a quick intro, they introduced their two dancers and moved into the first of many hypnotic dance routines. The duo played a mix of recent and throwback songs to kick things off, including ‘Swing,’ ‘Barthelona,’ and ‘Best Friend.’

As the night continued, SOFI TUKKER shared more nods to Mary Oliver’s work, linking the messaging of Wild Geese to the evolution of Animal Talk and the tour’s identity. Every animal print garment felt just as relevant when the show started as when it came to a close.

Displaying Their Roots On Stage

Throughout the night, SOFI TUKKER explored their history and the set of circumstances that led them to this stage. Sophie and Tucker first met as college students in 2014 and shortly thereafter began collaborating as musicians. During their final semester of college, they wrote their debut single ‘Drinkee,’ which earned them a Grammy nomination in 2017.

The commercial success of their early work launched SOFI TUKKER’s professional career, leading to major festival and show appearances. This momentum had to slow in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the two started broadcasting DJ sessions from their living room.

In the middle of their performance, a compilation of clips began playing from these pandemic livestreams showcasing Sophie and Tucker’s natural banter and high-energy bits. Tucker described this livestream series as one of his fondest memories as a duo.

Past the halfway point of the set, Sophie recalled the two cosplaying as each other during one particular livestream. Tucker then left the stage only to return dressed as Sophie with an impersonation to match. Sophie countered his response, taking the stage with a backwards cap and exaggerated persona while they poked fun at each other.

As the final few songs grew near, Sophie shared her affinity for the Portuguese language and Brazilian culture, influences that have led her to incorporate bossa nova elements and Portuguese lyrics into many of SOFI TUKKER’s tracks. Upon sharing this cultural appreciation, a wave of flags and musicians transported Huntington Bank Pavilion to the streets of Brazil as they performed ‘Brazilian Soul.’ The stage became a microcosm of the iconic Brazilian Carnaval, if only for a moment.

The Animal Talk Tour Soars On

Animal Talk maintains its prowl through North America as SOFI TUKKER prepares for appearances at Austin City Limits, Las Vegas’ EBC at Night and continued tour dates later this month.

The tour continues following the September 25th release of their latest track ‘Tsunami’ in collaboration with OneRepublic. The Chicago show marked the song’s first live performance, and fans can expect to hear a wide array of early tracks alongside the latest additions to their discography.

The epitome of joy, whimsy and community, Animal Talk is a must-see production.

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The night included an opening set from Helsloot – a longtime artist collaborator – while Hero Baldwin joined the stage following her official addition to the band in 2025.

Helsloot Sets a Melodic Tone

As the crowd began to pack into the venue, Dutch producer and DJ Helsloot fired off a blend of house subgenres. His track ‘Beautiful Losers (feat. Rangleklods)’ mixed seamlessly into more original productions, including ‘Solace’ and ‘Let’s Pretend.’

From there, Helsloot took a venture into Afro house with a remix of Omah Lay’s ‘Holy Ghost,’ adding another dimension to his set. An increasingly lively audience reciprocated all of the DJ’s nods to the crowd as the mix continued its upward climb.

Helsloot concluded to an eruption of applause, leaving attendees primed for Tinlicker’s arrival.

Tinlicker Takes Over House of Blues

Following a short pause, Tinlicker’s Micha Heyboer and Jordi van Achthoven took to the stage, opening their set with a percussive intro played on performance pads. As the snares compounded and the lights began shifting across the room, they transitioned into their own body of work.

The duo then played a stripped down, cinematic rendition of the vocals from ‘Because You Move Me’ that quieted the crowd and created a moment of anticipation signaling the commencement of the night’s main event.

Their remix of ‘Need to Feel Loved’ and original track ‘Children’ followed suit, with the two producers simultaneously mixing and stacking additional percussive sounds into the performance.

Hero Baldwin Unites On Stage

With the venue tightly packed together and visibly feeling the rhythm, Hero Baldwin arrived to complete the Tinlicker trio.

She began with ‘Tell Me,’ a 2020 collaboration between Tinlicker, Helsloot and Baldwin, immediately contributing a powerful vocal presence. Waves of colored lasers adorned the walls of House of Blues while she continued captivating attendees through a series of live track renditions.

Baldwin took full command of the stage, moving across both ends and reaching out to audience members as they vigorously sang along. van Achthoven later left his equipment to join her while playing a keytar – a hybrid keyboard and guitar instrument – as they approached the front of the crowd.

A Brilliant Start to Their Tour

The Chicago performance marks the beginning of the Tinlicker trio’s 20-plus-stop North America tour, culminating in an October 17th show in Seattle. Shortly afterward, they’ll make their way back to Europe for Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) as they round out their 2026 schedule with individual performances.

Earlier this year, Tinlicker completed a 15-stop EU/UK tour mostly concentrated in the month of March. Helsloot also joined that run as the tour’s opening act, further highlighting the longstanding connection between both artists.

For fans in North America looking to catch a show, Tinlicker and Helsloot’s upcoming dates are available through their official website.

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The experience is hosted by Tim Sweetwood, the festival entrepreneur behind Shaky Knees Music Festival, Oceans Calling, Country Calling, Boardwalk Rock, Sea.Hear.Now, and several others. Guests get access to artist compounds, production zones, and other off-limits areas that don’t make it onto any official map — including a front-row look at the Main Stage setup and face time with the crew behind it all.

On top of the backstage tour, Airbnb is also running its own dedicated stage at the festival this year, with live performances from fan-favorite artists across the full weekend.

The broader Lollapalooza footprint is generating real numbers for Chicago this year. According to Airbnb internal data, searches from out-of-state travelers for stays during the festival weekend are up nearly 20% compared to last year, while Gen Z searches have climbed 15%. Chicago hosts collectively pulled in over $6.4 million in earnings during the 2025 festival weekend alone.z

Full details on the backstage experience, last-minute accommodation listings, and additional Airbnb offerings in Chicago are available in Airbnb’s blog post. Lollapalooza runs July 31 through August 3 in Grant Park.

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A Chicago alderman is pushing back against large-scale electronic music festivals after noise complaints from residents followed the inaugural Lakeshore Arts & Music Festival.

Following the two-day event in Lincoln Park, Alderman Timmy Knudsen announced he intends to work with city officials to prevent similar festivals from returning to his ward, citing concerns over noise levels, nearby residential areas, and the festival’s proximity to sensitive locations such as North Pond Nature Sanctuary and local hospitals.

The comments have sparked debate among festivalgoers and local residents alike, raising questions about where large electronic music events belong in one of America’s most vibrant music cities.

Complaints Follow Lakeshore Festival Debut

The inaugural Lakeshore Arts & Music Festival took place June 19-20 in Chicago’s Lincoln Park, featuring headliners including Elderbrook and D.O.D alongside more than 50 local electronic music artists across multiple stages. Organizers promoted the event as Chicago’s newest EDM festival, bringing house, bass, and techno music to the city’s lakefront.

However, after the festival concluded, some nearby residents complained that bass frequencies carried several blocks through the neighborhood for hours each day. According to reports, Knudsen said his office is now in discussions with the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events about preventing future festivals of a similar scale from taking place within the ward.

A spokesperson for the alderman’s office reportedly clarified that the concern is not live music itself, but rather events with “this magnitude, duration, and sound profile” in a densely populated neighborhood.

Not Everyone Supports A Ban

The proposal has drawn mixed reactions from the electronic music community.

Some residents supported the alderman’s concerns, arguing that the festival’s location was not appropriate for an event featuring powerful sound systems so close to homes, wedding venues, and the nearby nature sanctuary. Others suggested the event could simply be relocated to more established festival grounds such as Grant Park, Northerly Island, or Montrose Beach rather than eliminated altogether.

Many dance music fans, meanwhile, criticized the idea of a blanket ban, arguing that one festival should not determine the future of electronic music events throughout the ward. Several commenters also questioned whether permitting, site selection, and sound management—not the existence of festivals themselves—were the real issues.

A Delicate Balance Between Festivals And Neighborhoods

The debate highlights a challenge many cities continue to face as music festivals expand into urban spaces.

While electronic music events generate tourism, support local businesses, and create opportunities for artists, they can also create friction with residents when sound carries into nearby neighborhoods. Organizers often work alongside city officials to establish curfews, sound limits, and operational plans, but balancing economic benefits with community concerns remains an ongoing challenge.

Chicago, widely recognized as the birthplace of house music, hosts numerous major festivals each year, including Lollapalooza, ARC Music Festival, Sueños, Beyond Wonderland Chicago, the Chicago House Music Festival, and Riot Fest. The city’s long history with live music has made it one of North America’s premier festival destinations, making any discussion about limiting future events particularly noteworthy.

What Happens Next?

At this stage, no official ban has been enacted, and no final decision has been made regarding the future of the Lakeshore Arts & Music Festival.

The proposal remains part of ongoing discussions between the alderman’s office and city officials. Whether the festival returns in 2027—or potentially relocates to another venue—has yet to be determined.

For now, the conversation serves as another reminder of the growing challenges cities face as electronic music festivals continue to evolve alongside the communities that host them.

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The Art Car shows serve as their fundraiser each year for Burning Man. The production has hosted a wide array of artists in the desert, ranging from Carl Cox, John Summit, and Monolink. Now, they’re bringing their curated lineup to the Windy City.

Mayan Warrior Lineup

Swiss Electronic Duo Adriatique leads the showcase at Union Park in dominating fashion. Following memorable performances at EDC Las Vegas and Coachella, the duo will now grace Union Park for the Mayan Warrior’s Chicago debut. Next, German House duo Âme join forces with long-time collaborator Trikk. Whether it’s in a studio or a massive stage, the trio shines through with their chemistry and accurate representation of the modern underground house movement. Then, South African House artist DESIREE will enchant her way through Union Park with her Afro-infused soundscapes and culturally powerful beats. Next up is the up-and-coming NYC tastemaker DJibouti, who recently had his Chicago debut at Prysm Nightclub last month. Finally, the lineup is complete with Chicago-based DJ Mosey. Most recently, the DJ and producer became one of the few Auris Presents Resident DJs for the Summer.

Union Park

The ever-loved venue is keeping a busy schedule this season. Recently, Solomun brought back Arc’s Expansions stage for a one-night special event. Of course, Mayan Warrior will have its Chicago debut in the park, while Auris brings out the Techno event Boost+++ XXL a day after. And, for the sixth year in a row, Arc Music Festival returns to Union Park. But this time, the festival is going for four whole days.

Tickets are still available here.

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Open To Close

The ‘Tears’ producers are not strangers to the Windy City; Gorgon City is a regular headliner during Arc Music Festival and their afterparties in venues such as Radius. Now, they’re bringing 5 hours of pure Realm realness to the iconic Grant Park. This will be Gorgon City’s very first open-to-close at the park. The duo restarted their Enter The Realm shows this year in March during Miami Music Week. With a few stops in Tennessee, Los Angeles, Denver, and Las Vegas, they’re ready for more.

The Venue

Grant Park is located in the heart of the Loop (Downtown Chicago). It’s walking distance from other amazing features, including Millennium Park, The Bean, and of course, Lake Michigan. The venue hosts a wide array of events, including Circus shows, Symphonies, Food Festivals, Film festivals, and of course, the legendary Lollapalooza. Gorgon City will be added to this long list of iconic acts.

About Gorgon City

Thanks to Oscar with EDMTunes, we know that London-born Gorgon City have spent over a decade shaping modern house music with a sound that blends UK garage roots, soulful vocals, and club-ready production. Known for tracks that balance accessibility with depth, the duo has built a reputation for consistency — whether in the studio or behind the decks. Their ability to stay relevant without chasing hype is exactly what keeps releases like Contact feeling authentic rather than forced.

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The Music

The trio brought out all their heartstring-pulling, soul-freeing, mind-soothing tracks to Wrigley Field. From Atlas‘ Desert Night’, to Bloom‘s ‘You Were Right’, to Solace‘s ‘Underwater’, Surrender‘s ‘On My Knees’, and Inhale/Exhale‘s ‘Pressure’, the crowd experiences a two-hour journey from RÜFÜS DU SOL’s discography. Now, after two years since their latest album Inhale/Exhale, and two remixes albums, we can’t help but crave new music from the band.

The Vibe

The all-ages event saw all walks of life. Families, friends, and lovers all gathered around to sing along to their biggest hits. Emotions filled the stadium as the melodies and drums swayed the crowd into pure bliss. Attendees remained respectful and made logistics quite easy and enjoyable. For a stadium that can host over 40,000 attendees, the crowd felt at ease and did not induce any extra stress. Logistically, the event relied on a strong security staff and a reliable system of ticket entry, metal scanners, and crowd/flow control. Staff members were extremely helpful with finding your seats, keeping the corridors clear, and we all felt safer during the show.

Production

Instead of relying on big visuals, RÜFÜS DU SOL opted for keeping the stage design simple yet effective. The band has remained consistent in how they produce their shows. Mainly, keeping their live sets with a very intimate feel. Their synthesizers, drums, and string instruments are all carefully placed so that Tyrone,  Jon, and James have their designated stations on the stage. Furthermore, the show invested in high-quality, dynamic lighting that became an extension of the music. Bringing dramatic colors, changes of tone, and brightness, the stage became one with each song. Of course, we can’t forget the fantastic fireworks show during ‘Innerbloom’.

2026 North American Tour

With Washington, Kansas, Chicago, Bonnaroo, and Charlotte under their belt, the trio continues their North American Tour to DC, Montreal, Boston, and 4 sold-out nights in Madison Square Garden in NYC. The band will take a break from their tour in July and will resume in August, starting in Los Angeles on August 8th. There are still some tickets available for the remainder of the tour.

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The move represents a meaningful step up in scale. After years as a two-day event, the festival is adopting a three-day format and positioning itself as a full destination experience. That means expanded stage production, larger experiential offerings, later operating hours, and more room to move around. Chicagoland Speedway also carries some history for Insomniac — the venue previously hosted EDC Chicago back in 2013.

Camping Comes to Beyond Wonderland Midwest for the First Time

For 2027, Beyond Wonderland Midwest will introduce on-site camping for the first time, adding four nights of accommodations to the festival footprint. Both car camping and RV camping will be available, along with additional community programming beyond the main stages.

Tickets go on sale Friday, June 19 at 12:00pm CT / 10:00am PT at Chicago.BeyondWonderland.com. Available ticket types include three-day GA, GA+, VIP, car camping, RV camping, and a Thursday pre-party option. VIP access — which includes expedited entry, exclusive viewing areas, and premium food and beverage — is 21+ only.

The announcement comes off the back of the 2026 edition of Beyond Wonderland Chicago, which ran June 6–7 at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island. That lineup included ACRAZE B2B Wax Motif, Alan Walker, DJ Snake, Excision, Green Velvet, Layton Giordani, Tiësto, Zedd, Zeds Dead, and others.

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Nature Walk

To begin the day on a good note, Of The Trees’ team, led by Just Neeks, invited fans on a nature walk throughout Grant Park and Millennium Park in Downtown Chicago. Attendees were able to connect and engage in light banter before the big night. Moreover, the first 50 attendees got an exclusive Park Service Patch as a keepsake.

Production

One of the newest EDM venues in Chicago, The Salt Shed, was the host of the sold-out Park Service. The event served as a memorable sunset session filled with Bass, Wubz, Grime, and tons of fun. The venue has ample space, with bars and food options, as well as clothing shops. The outdoor stage was filled with moss and grass structures that felt like an electronic garden was coming to life. The light beams would move across the stage, providing a dynamic lighting that left a strong visual impact. Moreover, light-up plant pots would drop from the ceiling and dance in the air, matching the visuals in the background. The visuals that Of The Trees brought out this time around remained on brand: A mix of natural landscapes, ecosystems, and serene views that blend in with technology. The shadows and effects sprinkled throughout the visuals felt like he was bringing in Mother Nature into a nightclub. Naturally, he dropped a couple new IDs that he will be releasing soon, including a collaboration with Tape B.

Camp Alderwild

The Park Service performances are part of the broader Moonglade Park era, which includes the return of Camp Alderwild 2026 (August 28–29, Telluride, CO). Created and hosted by Of The Trees, Camp Alderwild debuted in 2025 as the first electronic music event in the region in over a decade, marking a significant cultural moment for the San Juan Mountains. As one of Colorado’s largest homegrown electronic artists — following a sold-out Red Rocks Amphitheatre debut and subsequent double sell-out to close the season the following year — Of The Trees’ ethos and longstanding connection to nature made him a natural choice to reintroduce the genre to Telluride.

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