Chicago’s smartbar announces three new residents for 2023

Iconic Chicago club smartbar has announced three new resident DJs, as well as its line-up of guest residencies for 2023.

Local Windy City DJs Madeline, Brenda and DJ Hyperactive join an already impressive roster, alongside Ariel Zetina, Derrick Carter, DJ Heather, Garrett David, Harry Cross, Justin Aulis Long, Michael Serafini, Sevron and Shaun J Wright.

For its guest residency series, the club has announced that former resident The Blessed Madonna, Louie Vega, DJ Seinfeld, Eris Drew, Ron Trent and TRQPiTECA will hold court.

Read this next: 30 of the best Chicago house tracks

After taking a pause for the month of January, smartbar’s reopening party will take place on Friday February 4, with an all night long set from Derrick Carter.

The day after on Saturday February 5, will see the first guest resident’s party, with Louie Vega taking the reigns all night long.

smartbar celebrated its 40th year of being open last year, with a series of parties that included highlight appearances from the likes of UK drum ‘n’ bass legend Goldie, Honey Dijon, The Blessed Madonna among others.

Read this next: Derrick Carter: In Session

Having been open since 1982, the club has a storied history in the history of electronic music, having been an important venue in the city where house music was born. On top of Derrick Carter’s long-running and legendary slot, former residents include Joe Smooth, Jason Kendig and the legendary Frankie Knuckles, who was a resident for three decades until his death in 2014.

It has long promoted a diverse race-inclusive, pro-LGBTQ+ policy – soundtracked (mostly) by house music.

Last month (December 2022), Mixmag sat down with Ariel Zetina and Bored Lord to talk about the US’s queer party scene and more. Read the feature here.

Isaac Muk is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow him on Twitter