With the pandemic limiting crowds for some time music aficionados of all kinds were forced to swallow their festival fervor and grudgingly accept that festivals would be one of the last things to return.
For ages, those memories of jubilant crowds and momentous live performances felt like fleeting blissful memories and so inevitably once live performances started coming back they were met with immeasurable elation and euphoria.
In fact, to celebrate the return to normalcy a new festival was born towards the end of 2021. Taking over Union Park on Labor Day weekend, the inaugural ARC Festival kicked off post-pandemic delirium by paying homage to Chicago’s house music roots and merging world-renowned acts with local prodigious talent over two days.
Last year it expanded to three days given its popularity and shows no signs of slowing down. This Labor Day weekend the flourishing festival is returning for its third year with a glittering lineup of house and techno music talent over three exhilarating summer days.
Taking place Friday, September 1 – Sunday, September 3, ARC will be heading into its third year with a star-studded lineup that is sure to cement the festival’s place as a fan-favorite in the global festival circuit.
Erik Prydz HOLO, FISHER, and Hot Since 82 are all coming back for the 2023 edition as are reputed local DJs Derrick Carter, Gene Farris, and Hiroko Yamamura who all make their third appearance in three years.
Some of house music’s biggest DJs will be gracing the ARC music stages this year including Peggy Gou, Nina Kraviz, and Anfisa Letyago while Boris Brejcha and Fatboy Slim will make their second appearances after debuting last year.
The Blessed Madonna, Black Coffee, Adam Beyer, John Summit, Vintage Culture Boys Noize, Mall Grab, and Tale of Us are some other big names.
“Chicago dance music fans will be treated to an immersive journey at ARC, with curated production elements and art to guide them between each of the four immersive stage environments,” reads the official release. “Spanish party outfit Elrow will make its return to ARC, again announcing its presence at the festival as its only stage takeover of the year.”
In addition to local music artists, the festival organizers will incorporate a range of Chicago-based arts organizations and culinary partners to ensure the festival, which is “a festival by Chicago for Chicago”, is a reflection of the city’s diversity.
According to organizers, during the festival weekend there will also again be various intimate after-parties across partner venues like RADIUS, PRYSM, Concord Music Hall, and many more to be announced.
General tickets are on sale now at arcmusicfestival.com.
[Featured image from Facebook.com / @ericprydzofficial]