As B2B sets continue to creep into festival lineups, Chicago’s ARC Music Festival has curated an incredible array of collaborations that will set a new benchmark.
ARC Music Festival is back for its fourth consecutive year in the birthplace of house music, Chicago. Fans will be anxious to storm the festival gates at Union Park from August 30 to September 1, as this year’s lineup is packed with the hottest artists in house and techno.
This year, we’ve seen an insatiable appetite for house music that sits outside of the mainstream, so it’s exciting to see Ben Sterling, Eats Everything, Moodyman, Purple Disco Machine, and Rossi. in prime time slots throughout the weekend. And as social media continues to push harder, faster grooves within the bounds of techno, ravers will appreciate the standout Expansions stage. Sara Landry is set for a triumphant return after an electrifying performance on the Area 909 stage last year. She’ll be accompanied by fellow artists FJAAK, Reinier Zonneveld, and many more!
Of course, fan favorites MK, Gorgon City, Dom Dolla, and The Martinez Brothers will attract crowds in droves. But remarkably, ARC boasts sixteen B2B sets over the Labor Day Weekend that are poised to steal the spotlight. Love ’em or hate ’em, back-to-back DJ sets are here to stay, and ARC has set expectations for these collaborations at an all-time high. Keep reading as we break down the most anticipated B2B, and grab your tickets quickly because 3-Day General Admission passes are already sold out!
Five Can’t-Miss B2B Sets at ARC Music Festival 2024
Hiroko Yamamura b2b DJ Hyperactive
Hiroko Yamamura: Instagram | SoundCloud
DJ Hyperactive: Instagram | SoundCloud
Having played countless B2B sets together and collaborating on various events, Hiroko Yamamura and DJ Hyperactive never disappoint. The long-time friends share a similar approach to the decks, bringing patience and intricacy to their DJ sets, independently and collectively. Their sound is deeply rooted in the Chicago sound with deep, hypnotic loops that seem to have no beginning or end. The duo will set the mood at the Expansions stage on opening day, Friday, August 30 at 4pm CT.
DJ Heartstring b2b Partiboi69
DJ Heartstring: Instagram | SoundCloud
Partiboi69: Instagram | SoundCloud
If you’ve not heard these artists before, the easiest way to describe DJ Heartstrings’ sound is “Hard Eurodance” as they focus on straight grooves and fluttery female vocals for the dancefloor. Merge that with the often vulgar and unapologetic ghetto tech and booty house from Partiboi69 and you have a threesome that will go the distance. Expect massive energy from this performance at the infamous Area 909 stage on Friday, August 30 at 7pm CT.
Dennis Ferrer b2b HoneyLuv
Dennis Ferrer: Instagram | SoundCloud
HoneyLuv: Instagram | SoundCloud
Make your way to elrow on Saturday, August 31 at 7pm CT to experience the full spectrum of house music, from its origins to its future. Dennis Ferrer needs no introduction as a pioneer of the New York house scene, specializing in soulful, sexy house, with unforgettable hooks and energetic DJ sets. Joining him is HoneyLuv, a powerful dance music presence Dennis refers to as his “spirit animal.” As she boldly blazes her trail in the scene with technically sound DJ skills, watching the two together will be a masterclass in live performance.
Hot Since 82 b2b Chris Stussy
Hot Since 82: Instagram | SoundCloud
Chris Stussy: Instagram | SoundCloud
Hot Since 82 is widely known for delivering his sultry DJ sets with his trademark dazzling smile. The vibe he sets with his steady stream of quality deep house and tech house has producers yearning to be a part of his Knee Deep in Sound imprint. Chris Stussy’s signature blend of Romanian minimal house, jazz, and deep tech offers a compelling entry point if you’re dipping your toes into European styles of underground house music. Catch these deep tech masters at Expansions on Sunday, September 1 at 7pm CT for an unforgettable penultimate set of the night.
Carl Cox b2b Green Velvet
Carl Cox: Instagram | SoundCloud
Green Velvet: Instagram | SoundCloud
Carl Cox and Green Velvet’s stage presence and crowd control are unmatched. They each serve as the archetype of top-tier DJing in their respective brands of techno. The last time these legends shared the stage was in 2009 at EXIT Festival. Though the opening minutes of the set were riddled with technical issues, the crowd was unphased and remained infectiously rowdy. They kept their focus on the tag team partners, who looked like they’d been anticipating the set as much as the audience.
Though much has changed over the past fifteen years of dance music, a Carl Cox b2b Green Velvet will always be worth the price of admission. Catch them closing the Expansions stage on Sunday, September 1 at 8:30pm CT.
