The ARC Music Festival, which is considered to be the premier house and techno event in Chicago, recently made an announcement regarding the artists who will be performing at the 2023 edition of the festival, which will take place from September 1 to September 3 in Union Park. After extending to three days for the first time last year, ARC heads into its third year firmly planted as a fan-favorite on the worldwide festival circuit, continuing to bring in internationally recognized artists to the place where house music was born. Last year, ARC expanded to three days for the first time.
ARC Festival Second Phase Lineup 2023
ARC’s phase two lineup additions include vocal-driven minimal techno veteran Cassy, emerging UK act Schak, and global afro house talent Shimza, in addition to Sara Landry, pioneering house producer Kevin Knapp, groove-heavy UK tech house producer Iglesias, and a live set by David Castellani. Monnom Black label head and UK selector Dax J is also part of the phase two lineup additions. Local Chicago favorites have also been added to the lineup, including house music veterans Terry Hunter and Mike Dunn, as well as a live set from Phuture (DJ Pierre). The phase two additions are rounded out by up-and-coming bands such as Eskuche and Tara Brooks in addition to regional support acts.
ARC’s already formidable lineup for 2023
These additions strengthen what was already a formidable lineup for the 2023 ARC festival, which features internationally famous names in house, techno, and other genres. This includes the likes of ARC mainstay Eric Prydz, who returns this year with his iconic HOLO show, Adam Beyer, who also makes his individual return following last year’s monumental back-to-back with Prydz’ Cirez D alias, titanic Afterlife leaders Tale Of Us, and the homecoming of John Summit for his first festival headline set in Chicago. All of these artists are scheduled to perform at the ARC Music Conference in Chicago from August 23rd to August 25th.
Alongside techno veteran Hiroko Yamamura and Detroit innovators Carl Craig, Moodymann, and DJ Minx, house music architects Derrick Carter, Gene Farris, Collette, DJ Heather, and DJ Lady D from Chicago are included in this list.
Additional highlights include the Grammy Award-winning South African artist Black Coffee, the unifying musical figure The Blessed Madonna, South Korea’s music-fashion globetrotter Peggy Gou, the energizing party leader FISHER, the German FCKNG SERIOUS label head Boris Brejcha, the Innervisions label heads Dixon and me, and the return of the legendary UK mainstage originator Fatboy Slim following last year’s Elrow stage victory.
Favorites in modern house music will be performing in full force, beginning with breakthrough acts from Brazil like as Vintage Culture and Mochakk, as well as Knee Deep label boss Hot Since 82, Trick founder Patrick Topping, Spanish standouts Wade and Dennis Cruz, the silky styling of Loco Dice, the hometown return of Repopulate Mars owner Lee Foss, UK house export Sam Divine, and Grammy-nominated Saved Records owner Nic Fanciulli are all scheduled to perform at this event. The groove-heavy house combo Walker & Royce, the Turkish-Italian DJ Carlita, the Parisian superstar Chloé Caillet, and Elrow resident Toni Varga are all scheduled to perform at the event.
Chicago’s ARC Festival is going big into the techno field
ARC has also recruited some of the most influential names in international techno, such as the versatile Russian selector Nina Kraviz, the leader of the N:S:DA label Anfisa Letyago, the Italian DJ and producer Ilario Alicante, and the rising talent Eli Brown. Look no further than the forward-thinking curation of Boys Noize to find an eclectic mix of styles, while progressive house sensations Miss Monique and Cristoph, as well as hybrid techno producer Kevin de Vries, dip into the more melodic flavors.
ARC’s lineup also includes unique back to back sets taking place throughout the weekend including Fisher b2b Loco Dice b2b Nic Fanciulli, Mall Grab b2b KETTAMA, Cristoph b2b Franky Wah, Hiroko Yamamura b2b DJ Minx, Carlita b2b Chloé Caillet, Ilario Alcante b2b Dennis Cruz, Dixon x Âme, Lee Foss b2b Gene Farris, and Carl Craig b2b Moodymann.
Fans of house and techno from all over the world will be taken on an immersive journey at ARC, where they will be guided between each of the four immersive stage environments by carefully picked production components and works of art. From the industrial backdrop of the Grid stage to the outrageousness of Spain’s Elrow, the deeper sounds of the Expansions stage, and a new fourth stage featuring international and national artists among the greatest talent from the Midwest. This year’s festival has a wide range of musical styles and performances.
Bringing elrow to the festival
Elrow, a Spanish party band, is scheduled to perform again at ARC, and the band has stated that this will be the only festival stage takeover it will perform at in the United States in 2018. Elrow is one of the most celebrated brands in the world, touching down for bespoke events annually in Barcelona, Ibiza, New York, London, Dubai, Miami, Las Vegas, Sydney, and many more key markets. It is known for its renowned psychedelic production and outrageous surprises. Elrow’s signature stage design, performers, and hijinks have made it one of the most celebrated brands in the world.
The team at Auris Presents, who bring decades of experience in the production of one-of-a-kind events and the curation of their other independent ventures, will be in charge of directing these efforts. Fans of the ARC will also be given the opportunity to attend exclusive afterparties at Auris and other ARC partners venues such as RADIUS, Cermak Hall, PRYSM, Concord Music Hall, and more.
In the space of just three short years, ARC has already established its legacy as an event that connects communities and scenes from all over the world in a manner that feels distinctive to the creative heritage of Chicago. ARC maintains its trajectory as a prominent name on the international scene by putting the spotlight on the rich cultural history of Chicago house music and creating a bridge between the genre’s local and worldwide pioneers and the next generation of world-class musicians. on addition, ARC celebrates and honors the pioneers of the genre.
Tickets for the general public can be purchased right now via Arc’s website
