ARC Music Festival, Chicago’s flagship house and techno festival, has announced the ARC After Dark afterparty lineups for its 2023 edition taking place September 1-3. ARC heads into its third year firmly rooted as a fan-favorite in the global festival circuit, continuing to bring internationally renowned talent to the birthplace of house music.
ARC will take over the city with its wide-reaching after party programming across iconic Auris and ARC partner venues RADIUS, Cermak Hall, Concord Music Hall, PRYSM, Spybar, Smart Bar/Metro, and Smoke & Mirrors.
Thursday kicks off at Smoke & Mirrors with a pre-party presented by celebrated female-empowering organization Lady Of The House in collaboration with Beatport, led by Chicago icons DJ Heather, DJ Lady D, Biobooster aka Hiroko Yamamura, and Dani Deahl. Walker & Royce will soundtrack the Thursday pre party at Spybar for a Rules Don’t Apply takeover, while Ben Klock brings his intense and powerful brand of techno to a pre party at Prysm.
Friday highlights include a Radius After Dark show from the legendary Eric Prydz alongside fellow titan Adam Beyer. German FCKNG SERIOUS label head Boris Brejcha will also take the decks at Cermak Hall. Nina Kraviz, DJ Slugo, and Hieroglyphic Being will light up Concord Music Hall for a confluence of techno and ghetto house presented by Document Journal while breakout star Anfisa Letyago joins veterans DJ Minx and Cassy at Spybar. Smart Bar/Metro provides an electric two floor affair to kick off the weekend featuring the eclectic VTSS and Boys Noize going back to back alongside Steel City Dance Discs stars Mall Grab and Kettama.
Saturday spotlights a Chicago vs Detroit showcase featuring the highest class of veteran talent including The Blessed Madonna, Moodymann, Carl Craig, Mike Dunn, and DJ Pierre presented by Test Pressing. Meteoric hometown sensation John Summit will command the decks at Radius while Dennis Cruz and Ilario Alicante keep the party going at Spybar. International meets local legends with Patrick Topping, Loco Dice, and DJ Heather at Cermak Hall plus Hot Since 82 and Derrick Carter at Concord Hall.
Sunday features global sensations and Afterlife leaders Tale of Us for an After Dark thriller alongside fast riser Kevin De Vries. Brazilian breakout Mochakk will play an intimate show at Smoke & Mirrors while techno heavy hitters Sara Landry, Volvox, and Patrixia b2b Chess Knight lead Cermak Hall’s final night. Other highlights include South African artists Black Coffee and THEMBA at PRYSM, Vintage Culture b2b Carlita at Condord, plus Âme and Chloé Caillet at Spybar.
Monday concludes the weekend with Farris Wheel’s Anita Dee II Yacht party takeover featuring label head Gene Farris alongside Eskuche and Basara Boyz. Spanish standout Wade will also play an after party to cap PRYSM’s final day.
In a short span of just three years, ARC has already cemented its legacy as a standout festival, uniting scenes and connecting communities from around the world in a way that feels distinct to the creative history of Chicago. By shining a spotlight on the rich cultural heritage of Chicago house music and bridging the genre’s local and global pioneers with the next generation of world-class artists, ARC continues to expand its influence as a leading name in the global scene.
ARC Music Festival 2023 After Party
General tickets are on sale now at arcmusicfestival.com.
