Chicago’s ARC Music Festival unveils 2023 afterparty line-ups

ARC Music Festival has revealed its full 2023 line-up with the unveiling of its ‘After Dark’ series of pre-parties and afterparties.

The 2023 edition of the Chicago house and techno festival takes place across Labor Day Weekend, September 1 to 3, running through the day and evening at the city’s Union Park with the likes of Eric Prydz, Derrick Carter (pictured), DJ Minx, Peggy Gou, Patrick Topping, Moodymann, Black Coffee, Dixon, and more, playing across four stages. It promises high production values alongside its star-studded line-up.

A series of night-time parties to accompany the day festivities has now been revealed, including several pre-parties kicking off on Thursday, August 31.

These are followed by a wide range of afterparties running across September 1 to 4 at the finest clubs around Chicago: RADIUS, Cermak Hall, Concord Music Hall, PRYSM, Spybar, Smartbar/Metro, Smoke & Mirrors, and even a boat party on the Anita Dee II Yacht.

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Things look set to kick off in fittingly iconic style on Thursday, with Chicago royalty DJ Heather, DJ Lady D, Biobooster AKA Hiroko Yamamura, and Dani Deahl playing at Smoke & Mirrors for a Lady Of The House and Beatport takeover. Over at Prysm, Ben Klock heads up a techno-focused bill, while Walker & Royce bring DJ Colette and Samara b2b Sweater Disco for their Rules Don't Apply takeover at Spybar.

On Friday, the afterparties get into full swing with eight events around the city. These include Eric Prydz, Adam Beyer, Cristoph and Hummingbird bringing their big room sounds to the 55,000 square foot multi-room venue Radius, a special Boys Noize b2b VTSS set headlining at Smartbar with Mall Grab, Kettama and Shaun J. Wright on the Metro floor, and Anfisa Letyago, Cassy and DJ Minx playing Spybar.

A highlight from Saturday’s set of events includes a strong showing of Chicago and Detroit legends with Carl Craig x Moodymann, DJ Pierre, Mike Dunn and CZboogie at Metro and The Blessed Madonna b2b Jaq Attaque and Ariel Zetina b2b Madeline at the adjoining Smartbar. Other picks range from Patrick Topping, Loco Dice, DJ Heather and Ōsé at Cermak Hall to Hot Since 82, Derrick Carter, Ben Rau and Nicky B at Concord Musical Hall.

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Sunday sees South African royalty at Prysm with Black Coffee and Themba heading up the bill, while Brazil meets Turkey at Concord Music Hall with Vintage Culture b2b Carlita, while Kevin Knapp reps the US with his headline set The Listening Room.

For those who can’t bear to see the weekend end, two parties are scheduled on Monday, September 4: Wade, Inphinity and Chris Diaz take over Prysm, while Gene Farris, Eskuche and Basura Boyz close things out with a wavy Farris Wheel takeover of the Anita Dee II Yacht.

See the full list of artists performing below and get tickets at arcmusicfestival.com.