ARC After Dark 2025: Full Lineup Announced for Chicago Afterparties
Perfect timing! The Auris presents Arc Music Festival has just announced its Arc After Dark afterparty series. With over 35 events across 5 days and 100+ artists, including afterparty exclusives, Arc takes over the city of Chicago for its 5th edition during Labor Day Weekend. Per usual, the lineup mostly mirrors the best House and Techno headliners during the day. However, the afterparty vibes are more intimate, giving the artists the space to curate different and darker soundscapes. Without further ado, let’s dig into these extremely juicy afterparties, shall we?
Arc After Dark Lineup
The city breathes House and Techno for five days from August 28 to September 1. Venues include Radius and Cermak Hall, Metro and Smartbar, Serum, Outset, Smoke and Mirrors, Spybar, Concord Music Hall, and Masada. This year, we get boat parties as well at the Anita Dee II. Moreover, this year we will have an official Arc Brunch on Saturday with Jerro as the headliner. And as always, the closing parties on Monday are meant for the true fans that still have plenty left in their tank.
Thursday
The Arc pre-party has been a staple of the weekend for the last few years. This time, the Arc turnt it up a notch while having not one, but five different pre-parties. Artists include Pryda, Cristoph, Eats Everything b2b Mike Dunn, Ghost Theory, Kettama, and Pablo Fierro.
Friday
The weekend begins with soaring beats and pulsating melodies, with a mix of newcomers and Arc veterans. Amelie Lens will join Nicole Moudaber at Radius, while DJ Tennis and Kryptogram unleash their sounds at Smartbar. Moreover, Book Club’s Tinzo + Jojo, Hot Since 82, Interplanetary Criminal, and Malugi all have their respective afters.
Saturday
Saturday will come full throttle with afterparties hosted by Fisher, Richie Hawtin, Riordan, Adam Beyer, Layton Giordani, Boys Noize, Claude Vonstroke, VTSS, and Chloe Caillet. Special mention to vinyl Techno DJ Hector Oaks, one of this year’s wildcards and After Dark exclusive.
Sunday
Day three keeps up the pace with some of the biggest names on the Lineup. On this evening, John Summit, Max Styler, and Ayybo will all be at the mega warehouse Radius. Then, Luciano brings out Ricardo Villalobos at Cermak Hall. Nic Fanciulli takes over Concord Music Hall while Ki/Ki delights us with her acid bounces at Serum. For the first time, Arc After Dark will host its very own Drum and Bass exclusive afterparty with Subfocus.
Finally, Alignment will set Outset on fire, alongside another wildcard of the year, Jenna Shaw, who has been steadily playing at major festivals in the United States, including EDSEA, Electric Forest, and EDCLV.
Arc After Dark passes are sold exclusively to festival passholders. Make sure get onto it! See you soon.
