elrow Chicago at ARC Music Festival

Chicago's ARC Music Festival has quickly gained a reputation for being the finest Stateside example of intelligent house and techno programming. Now entering its third year, the lineups and experience only get grander as the years pass. An indelible part of that experience is the bright and vibrant colors of elrow that capture the concrete dancefloor in the corner of Union Park. It's the only time all year that elrow touches down for a full multi-day festival celebration in the US. And, if we're being honest, it is one of ARC's most exciting additions.

elrow at ARC Music Festival 2022

Kursza for ARC Music Festival

This year elrow brings its Nowmads theme to Chicago. Dance the weekend away in the shadow of the mystical star gate, where you can travel to a parallel planet of the past, present, and future. It's a fluorescent time-traveling expedition to a universe of floating phoenixes, towering pyramids, Cromagnons, Bedouins, and feudal lords.

And, of course, no elrow would be complete without the explosions of colorful confetti by the hour and showers of inflatables falling over the masses throughout the day. So make sure to reach out and grab something to add something weird and wonderful to your look.

While the sites of elrow are a feast for the eyes, the sounds of elrow perfectly capture the spirit of America's premiere house and techno festival. The weekend is packed to the rafters with incredible music featuring the most current and forward-thinking artists.

On the docket, we've got five incredible back-to-back sets! Multi-dimensional DJ, producer, and singer Cassy pairs up with elrow resident and Spanish tech house titan Toni Varga. Varga is on double duty for the weekend, also dropping a set alongside Relief Records stalwart Eskuche. Award-winning Spanish artist Dennis Cruz joins Cocoon family artists and Deep Moves label head Ilario Alicante. And last but certainly not least, two dons of house music (and Chicago-born legends) Lee Foss and Gene Farris are dropping the heat together.

Also coming through for some confetti-blasted absurdly good times are hands-up house purveyor Dombresky, Cuttin' Headz signee Fleur Shore, turntable technician James Hype, Dirtybird resident Kevin Knapp, and the ever-inventive Kyle Walker.

Rules Don't Apply bosses Walker & Royce are bringing their wonderfully oddball take on house music to elrow Chicago. And rounding out the lineup are some international favorites: first lady of Defected Sam Divine, Brazillian mastermind Vintage Culture, and leader of the Spanish tech house movement Wade.

The elrow stage at ARC is always a massively fantastic spectacle of absurdity and accelerated fun. The festival itself offers so much to experience, so if you're planning on coming out to Chicago for Labor Day Weekend, you don't want to miss a minute.