Above Image Cred Goes To Alana Swarigen, the rest of the photos were taken by Magnetic Magazine Recording’s Artist Discognition, who was on site for the festival. and who provided this review
Without Chicago, there is no house music, let’s start there. This city has a rich history when it comes to dance music; and being the birthplace of house, ARC has a lot to live up to when it comes to meeting expectations of house heads and techno enthusiasts alike. The 2025 edition was billed with some more mainstream artists which left some eyebrows raised as ARC typically lives in the “underground” realm in music festival culture w/ Chicago native John Summit closing out the festival and FISHER closing out Day 2 being the dividing artists. Let’s take a look at the review for this year:
MUSIC: A+
If you’re into House and Techno, there truly is no better destination in the US except for maybe Movement (MMF) in Detroit. There’s something for everyone on the house spectrum. Before the weekend officially kicked off, you had a full DEFECTED takeover at Cermak Hall, with CHRISTOPH warming up Radius for PRYDA. Insanity. For the festival itself, if you wanted mainstream, John Summit and Fisher are arguably 2 of the biggest house names on the planet right now.
You want Techno?
Nicole Moudaber, Richie Hawtin, Adam Beyer, Layton Giordani and Ameile Lens have you covered. If you’re riding the UKG wave, It was on full display with Interplanetary Criminal, Malugi, Notion and many more. For the Progressive crowd, this edition had the legendary Eric Prydz play 3 full sets featuring all 3 of his projects which was certainly a sight to behold.
Even Drum and Bass got a nod with an incredible sunset journey from Sub Focus which was arguably the highlight of my entire weekend. But those are just some of the names. Pioneers of house culture were on center stage as well. Green Velvet is always amazing but seeing him bring out his Cajmere alias b2b Carl Craig? Are you kidding? Perfect.
Gene Farris, Skepta, Felix Da Housecat, Mike Dunn not to mention a very special once in a lifetime feeling set from Honey Dijon b2b Derrick Carter. Musically, there’s not enough I can say about this festival. Even though there were some “mainstream” artists present, If you’re looking to break away from the mainstream festival culture, this is it.
VIBES: B+
My first ARC was last year and I remember leaving feeling like I hadn’t been in a crowd like that in years, which was true. This year, it was close. 9/10 people were friendly, and just there to dance and have a good time. I didn’t see any fights, no real drama going on and everyone truly seemed to be taking care of each other when needed. This is an 18+ festival but the crowd leans to the older and more mature side of things which is noticeable and also appreciated. As a mid 30s millennial, It’s nice to be alongside my fellow 10-15 year festival veterans without too much “young chaos” ruining my time. Most of the younger goers were friendly, even if they were holding hands with their 12+ people group snaking their way through the crowd to the front.
Day 1 was the lightest crowd wise with Day 3, expectedly so, being the largest and most crowded. I didn’t see too many folks who were clearly above their limits but I did see a couple people get taken to the med tent on stretchers seemingly unresponsive. The nice thing about ARC is that you can get away from that. Your under 25 crowd is probably going to be at The Grid to see John Summit or FISHER, which left plenty of room at Expansions, El Row and Area 909 for those of us who didn’t want to be around that type of crowd.
That being said, I did hang for the beginning of both of their sets and had a good time, before closing out the nights at other stages. With Northcoast being the same weekend, I imagine the majority of what I don’t want to be around at a music festival is over there, so for that, I’m thankful.
One consistent bothersome issue was people smoking cigarettes in the crowd. This is my ‘old man yells at cloud’ moment but it really got annoying. I would move to another spot in the crowd, and sure enough, someone else would light up right next to me and I would be forced to move again. By Monday morning, I sounded like I smoked a whole pack myself.
PRODUCTION: B+
The Production at ARC is a double edged sword. On one hand, the lack of art installations this year vs years past was noticeable. In the same breath, that meant less opportunity “for the gram” which in turn, meant less phones out in general and less boyfriends taking 50 pictures of their girl in front of the logo walking back to check them and deciding none of them are good enough and going back for 100 more. When I say this festival is for the culture and not for the gram, I mean that. It’s hard to tell if this was intentional by the festival for vibe purposes or if they just didn’t have it in the budget. Either way, it was clear that whatever budget did not go to the art went to The Grid this time around because that stage was just awesome all around.
Sound was great, production was great, it was just an awesome experience for the main stage. A noticeable upgrade compared to years past. Area 909, which is personally one my favorites, got a bit of an upgrade as well as it was just slightly larger this time around, which was needed but still not enough. Kettama pulled such a large crowd there that it was spilling out further than I had ever seen for that stage. I couldn’t make it in for it. The Production at Expansions and El Row were just as they had been, which in general is a good thing.
El Row was LOUD, and that’s a common complaint every year. This year was no different but the sound seemed to get better as the weekend went on. Day 3, El Row was probably where I spent most of my time. Expansions at night is incomparable to anything else in my festival experience. You just have to do it.
VENUE: B
There’s no getting around it. ARC is getting too big for Union Park. The stages are too close together and the soundbleed is very noticeable if you are not in the center at any given stage, with Area 909 getting the worst of it, which is a shame. I’m a little torn because I love the location of Union Park. It truly is in the heart of Chicago with all the afters being close by. I’ll be curious to see what it’s like next year depending on the lineup. John Summit and Fisher certainly attracted a noticeably larger crowd for 2025.
ORGANIZATION & HOSPITALITY: B
Day 1, the lineup was stacked front to back. Kryptogram, Effy, Notion, Adriatique, Criez D, Interplanetary Criminal b2b Malugi and that’s just who I had as must see’s. All with closing sets by the 3rd and final Eric Prydz set, Hot Since 82 at the coveted El Row Stage, Amelie Lens for Expansions, and SKREAM b2b Hamdi at Area 909. What was sure to be a night of unforgettable music and vibes started off to quite an inexcusable rocky start.
The gates were supposed to open at 2 pm with a long line forming beforehand. Pretty normal. The gates did not actually open until about 3:45 pm which meant 8 acts were missed by everyone. I feel for the people who didn’t get to catch these sets who wanted to, but I more feel for the artists who were not given the platform they were promised and booked for. Because they deserve better I’m shouting them out here: Jayah, HVNLEE, BlackClub, Kirk, Kryptogram, Genesi, Supergloss and Effy. We see you, we feel for you and we hope to see you on the lineup next year since there was no make up for it. Once the gates opened, the festival was pretty well organized. Merch, bar, bathroom, and food vendors all had reasonable wait times.
For the bars, if you wanted a mixed drink, you had to have VIP, take that as you will. I did notice the price changing depending on the bartender even getting the same order. Once, I had ordered a (canned) Palmoa, and I checked the price and it was $36. I realized and the bartender said she couldn’t back out of it, so she just gave me two. $12 per can plus tax and tip. The food was great. I had to get a Chicago Dog and a piece of Chicago Pizza and I was not disappointed but it CAN get spendy. The lower grade here is due the nature of the issue of opening late. Outside of safety, your guests and artists come first, and this just shouldn’t be happening for a festival in its 5th year.
Overall: A-
Festival experiences are highly subjective, and ARC is no exception. While many attendees have an incredible time, some may not choose to return. However, it appears the positive experiences heavily outweigh the negative ones. For me, the music is paramount at a festival, and ARC truly embraces this ethos, especially in an era of “Content DJ” and “Festival Influencer” fatigue. It’s a refreshing change and undeniably where “House Comes Home.”
If you love house music, attending ARC is a must. It’s difficult to find another festival of this scale and price point that features such a diverse lineup of pioneering artists, newcomers, and mainstream acts. Every set was excellent, and there were no bad choices. I often struggled to decide which set to attend at any given time.
You’ll generally find ample space to dance 90% of the time. If you feel crowded, there’s always room at the back of every stage with good sound, with the exception of Area 909 due to its design. If you’re looking for a “mainstage rage” experience, this isn’t the festival for you; Northcoast would be more your speed, and the ARC community would likely recommend it. ARC is what I can only describe as “a whole ass vibe,” offering everything a house music enthusiast could desire.
In fact, as I write this, I’ve just purchased my ticket for next year’s loyalty pre-sale. I eagerly anticipate returning to the “Home of House.”
Favorite Set Highlights:
Pre-Party: All of it. I can’t pick one. CHRISTOPH, PRYDA, DEFECTED Takeover, the whole night was perfect.
Friday (Day 1): Nicole Moudaber took the best set of the night for me. Techno vibes were immaculate.
Honorable mention goes to Adriatique, but I’m a progressive guy.
Saturday (Day 2): Green Velvet b2b Skepta at expansions will live rent free until the end of time.
Honorable mention goes to It’s Murph. Just pure fun with funky melodic vibes. Say less.
Sunday (Day 3): Gene Farris b2b Tini Gessler stole Day 3 for me. I was throwin’ ass at El Row for most of the day because the vibe was just too good.
Honorable Mention: Honey Dijon b2b Derrick Carter just put on an absolute clinic. This is house. This right here. But I can’t leave it there. Sub Focus was incredible and I only caught the last 25 min. DnB at ARC? I’m here for it.
The post ARC Music Festival – House Comes Home: For The Culture, Not the ‘Gram [Event Review] appeared first on Magnetic Magazine.