ARC Music Festival, the premier house and techno event in Chicago, has disclosed the exciting lineup of artists joining its highly anticipated 2023 edition, scheduled to run from September 1st to September 3rd at the iconic Union Park. Following its successful expansion to a three-day extravaganza last year, ARC is now entering its third year with unwavering popularity, firmly establishing itself as a beloved destination within the global festival circuit. True to its roots, the festival remains dedicated to showcasing top-tier international talent in the very birthplace of house music.
ARC promises an enthralling and immersive experience for house and techno enthusiasts worldwide. As attendees embark on a captivating journey, they will encounter curated production elements and captivating art installations, guiding them seamlessly between the four mesmerizing stage environments. From the industrial and edgy vibes of the Grid stage to the vibrant and exuberant atmosphere of Spain’s renowned Elrow stage, the Expansions stage with its deeper sounds, and an exciting new fourth stage featuring both international and national acts alongside the best talent from the Midwest. Prepare to be transported to a realm of pure musical bliss at ARC Music Festival.
The festival will not start or end in Union Park with the generous amounts of pre and after parties across 5-days. With so many options of artists to catch throughout the festival such as Eric Prydz’ return this year with his iconic HOLO show and Drumcode’s Adam Beyer, it is time to hone in on what sets you consider a must see. For us, we are lazer focused on these 4 must see acts at ARC Music Festival 2023 and will wiggle around for the rest of the time.
Boris Brejcha
Boris Brejcha, born in Ludwigshafen, Germany, in 1981, overcame childhood adversity and found solace in music after a traumatic accident left him with extensive scars. At the age of twelve, he delved into producing electronic music, inspired by a ‘Thunderdome’ CD brought by a classmate. With the establishment of his label, Fckng Serious, in 2015, Boris soared to fame, achieving breakthroughs through recorded sets with Cercle and Tomorrowland. Today, he is a global sensation, renowned for his genre high-tech minimal and continues to captivate audiences with his own music, drawing massive crowds and earning international recognition as a top DJ.
Black Coffee
Black Coffee, born Nkosinathi Innocent Maphumulo, has risen to prominence as a leading figure in the global electronic music scene, hailing from Durban, South Africa. Influenced by the vibrant house music culture and African rhythms, he honed his DJ and production skills to create a unique blend of house, Afro-house, and deep house music. With his breakthrough win at the Red Bull Music Academy DJ Competition in 2005, Black Coffee’s career skyrocketed, leading to worldwide acclaim, numerous collaborations, chart-topping releases, and a dedicated fan base. Beyond his musical success, he is also known for his philanthropy, empowering South African youth through education and mentorship programs. As he continues to push musical boundaries, Black Coffee remains an icon and a cultural ambassador for Africa on the global stage.
Tale of Us
Karm, originally from Toronto, and Matteo, who left New York at a young age, met while studying music production at the SAE Institute, marking the start of Tale Of Us. Influenced by various artists, they explored a range of sounds, leading to invitations from top labels like Visionquest, M_nus, and R&S. They co-founded Life & Death in 2010, hosting transformative parties at DC10 Ibiza, and later launched Afterlife, an odyssey through consciousness, with events globally and a record label featuring captivating production.
Beyond the confines of dance music, Tale Of Us ventured into a profound ambient and classical realm with their album “Endless” released via Deutsche Grammophon. Their ever-evolving sound and poetic approach have garnered admiration and awe from diverse audiences worldwide, promising a tale that continues to grow, while Anyma the solo project of Matteo Milleri from Tale of Us, and visual artist Alessio De Vecchi is bridging the gap between live music and NFTs through showcasing NFTs in immersive and massive ways at their live Afterlife performances around the globe that give fans an opportunity to receive royalties from their new releases.
Dombresky
Originally from the south of France, Dombresky‘s love for invigorating four-on-the-floor beats has propelled him to house music stardom. Collaborating with industry heavyweights like Blondish, Armand van Helden, Diplo, Claptone, and MK, he quickly distinguished himself with jazz-infused tracks like “Soul Sacrifice,” amassing over 50 million streams and becoming a top-selling artist on Beatport. From headlining major festivals like Lollapalooza to launching his passion project, Process Radio, and now unveiling Process Records to mentor emerging talents, Dombresky’s global presence and unstoppable trajectory continue to earn him a devoted fanbase.
Fatboy Slim
Cook, also known as Fatboy Slim, has had a diverse and legendary career. Starting with punk bands and collaborations, he later ventured into the world of electronic music, becoming fundamental with hits like ‘The Rockafeller Skank’ and ‘Praise You’. Along the way, he formed various projects, including The Brighton Port Authority, and continued to release new music and remixes. In 2013, he made a triumphant return with the chart-topping single ‘Eat, Sleep, Rave, Repeat’, and his influence in the music scene continues to be felt with his performances at major festivals like Glastonbury 2023.
Kevin Knapp
Kevin Knapp stands out as a for his distinct production style and captivating vocal contributions. His tracks, such as ‘Cute’ and ‘Little Fritter’ (elrow) have made a lasting impact on dancefloors worldwide. From San Francisco to Berlin, Kevin’s relentless pursuit of his craft has led him to perform at prestigious festivals and stages, earning recognition and support from influential figures in the house music scene. With releases on top labels like Hot Creations, Desert Hearts, elrow, Crosstown Rebels, and Dirtybird, Kevin continues to push the boundaries and connect with audiences on a profound level. Enjoy one of his favorite sets from Desert Hearts 2022 where he stunned the dance floor with his approach while reading our interview with Kevin Knapp to discover more of his story.
Eskuche
With standout releases on labels like Relief, Hot Creations, elrow, Desert Hearts and Repopulate Mars, Eskuche’s signature sound has gained recognition from top DJs and tastemakers worldwide. Hailing from Russia, Eskuche honed his skills as a DJ and producer then moved stateside and now is riding a strong track record of success on Beatport and Traxsource charts while earning spots at renowned events and clubs, such as Desert Hearts Festival, Output, Ministry Of Sound, Avant Gardner, Rumor, Schimanski and Marquee. Get to know Eskuche through our interview around one of our favorite releases by him ‘Passion’ via Hannah Wants’ Etiquette.
ARC Music Festival 2023 Lineup
ARC Music Festival:
