Chicago’s Hiroko Yamamura selects 11 Chicago house festival tracks ahead of ARC Music Festival, coming this Labor Day Weekend (September 1 through September 3 2023) at Union Park. Daily line-ups and set times are posted here, and tickets are available at arcmusicfestival.frontgatetickets.com.
Blair – Life (Derrick Carter Mix)
Pure energy and groove. The percussive work and vocals will pull even the most jaded people onto the dancefloor. DC is unmatched.
Blessed Madonna – Serotonin Moonbeams
If you could encapsulate the midwest rave experience into an anthem, well here it is.
DJ Deeon – X-TA-C-2A dep
A departure from Deeon’s standard style, but a deep groover with jackin’ Chicago elements fused with Detroit’s sensibilities
Chunk-A-Bud – Zig Zag
An absolute anthem of my childhood, the late great Chunk-A-Bud’s stamp on Chicago’s sound will forever be celebrated.
Larry Heard Presents Mr. White: The Sun Can’t Compare (Long Version)
A timeless groover, by two of the most talented musicians who have called Chicago home. An emotional rollercoaster and direct influence of a sound I’ve been chasing my whole career.
Angel Alanis – Do You Like The Way You Feel When You Shake
A track from Chicago’s more hedonistic era, an infectious groove and energy build up. Disco vibes fused with a jacking beat and disco grooves. Always gets the dancefloor going.
Lil Louis – French Kiss
What can be said about this classic? Full of tension, passion and groove. You probably don’t want to be playing this one in the car if your parents are with you.
Paul Johnson – I Wonder Why
One of my favorite tunes from the late legend. A smooth groover with French house sensibilities. This one finds its way into my sets as a perfect reset to the energy and just feels so damn good.
Johnny Fiasco & Dj Heather – Soundz (Nima G & Lenny Kiser Remix)
This burner has recently been a staple in my recent sets. Perfectly fusing garage vibes with Chicago groove, it’s been a secret weapon to transition a set into a darker tone.
Rob Threezy – Chicago on Acid
If Chicago’s acid revival had one song to champion the movement, this is it. Every DJs tool to bring up the energy, Rob’s love letter to Chicago’s acid sound is timeless.
Pierre’s Phantsy Club – Fantasy Girl
Is it possible to mention Chicago and not mention Fantasy Girl? For many of us here, this was the track that had radio airplay that introduced us to the acid sound and was deep enough to encourage us to dig a little deeper into the music. To call this a classic is an understatement.
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