Labor Day weekend is one of the most anticipated times for music enthusiasts across the United States. In 2023, however, many music festivals encountered an array of challenges that left attendees disheartened. Inclement weather, transportation hiccups, supply chain struggles, production mishaps, and overall mismanagement plagued several events. Yet, amid such turmoil this Labor Day weekend, Chicago stood out as the place to be, hosting two legendary festivals: North Coast Music Festival and Arc Music Festival. These festivals have earned praise and recognition for being some of the country’s best electronic dance music experiences. In this review, we explore North Coast Music Festival, a three-day extravaganza that showcased the best of EDM and left a lasting impression on fans of all genres.
Drawing nearly 70,000 attendees to the sprawling grounds of SeatGeek Stadium in Chicagoland, North Coast Music Festival transformed the venue into a vibrant and interactive hub for EDM enthusiasts. As a third-time attendee, this is the best version of North Coast that I have seen to date. From the stellar lineup to the additional stages, countless vendors, and diverse food options, this festival had something for everyone.
Unforgettable Main Stage Performances
The festival’s main stage, The Stadium, hosted a diverse range of acts throughout the weekend. Friday’s kickoff featured sets from Valentino Khan, Zomboy, Jauz, Alesso, and ended with a sensational closing performance by Marshmello. The day’s most memorable moment was when the crowd joined Jauz in celebrating his 30th birthday on stage by singing “Happy Birthday” to him.
Saturday at The Stadium was every bass lover’s dream, featuring artists like Maddy O’Neal, Esseks, Inzo, Of The Trees, Black Tiger Sex Machine, Ganja White Night, and Zeds Dead, who delivered one of my personal favorite sets of the weekend. The final day at The Stadium showcased Rossy, EVAN GIIA, Dabin, Alison Wonderland, and a closing set from Flume. Most of the crowd gathered at The Vega stage earlier on Sunday, but Rossy’s set at The Stadium was easily one of my weekend favorites, and I’d be remiss had I not been there to see it!
The Vega Stage: A New Level of Immersion
North Coast’s second largest stage was The Vega, which has expanded and improved every year I’ve been there. The production level at this stage was nothing short of jaw-dropping. It brought a new and unique vibe for each day, with a WAKAAN takeover on Friday, tons of fun house sets on Saturday, and some energetic dubstep on Sunday. Over the weekend, many big names performed on this stage, such as Liquid Stranger, Champagne Drip, DJ Snake, MK, Chris Lorenzo, NGHTMRE, and Big Gigantic. A few of my favorite sets at this stage included Liquid Stranger on Friday, Sherm on Saturday, and NGHTMRE on Sunday.
The Shipyard: A New Stage Experience
A new addition to North Coast Music Festival in 2023 was The Shipyard, which replaced what was known as The Canopy stage during previous years. This stage featured a revamped design with stacked shipping containers, creating a visually stunning backdrop for performers. The Shipyard hosted captivating sets by Gordo, Duke Dumont, Lane 8, Elderbrook, Chris Lake, and Cloonee throughout the weekend. Saturday showcased Lane 8’s This Never Happened label, featuring a stacked lineup of melodic house tunes. Sunday belonged to Chris Lake’s Black Book Records imprint, with standout performances from Kyle Watson, Miane, Cloonee, and more. Chris Lake’s set at The Shipyard was a personal favorite, although Saturday, with its dream lineup of Lane 8, Elderbrook, Sultan + Shephard, Le Youth, and Jerro, stood out as an exceptional day.
Other Highlights
North Coast Music Festival also reintroduced popular experiential areas, including The Fire Pit and The Chill Dome. The Fire Pit delivered fantastic house and bass music sets paired with mesmerizing fire displays. The Chill Dome provided refuge from the summer heat, featuring artists like INZO, Champagne Drip, and Surf Mesa, who set the mood with chill vibes.
Other unique festival elements, such as The Giant (a tree man sculpture) and The Rainbow Lounge (offering festival-goers hammocks for relaxation), added to the festival’s charm. The NCMF Yacht Club, a festival boat with various amenities and incredible views, also returned. New additions like Club Coast, a hidden speakeasy that required a spoken password found only in the festival’s app, and a Ferris Wheel offering panoramic views further enriched the festival experience. With so much to explore, my only complaint was that three days hardly felt sufficient to savor everything North Coast had to offer.
Unwavering Legacy
North Coast Music Festival’s 13th edition cemented its status as the premier Labor Day electronic music festival in the United States. In stark contrast to the challenges faced by other festivals, North Coast delivered a seamless and memorable experience for its attendees. With its outstanding lineup, immersive stages, and unique experiential elements, North Coast Music Festival undoubtedly stood out as the place to be this past Labor Day weekend. As someone fortunate enough to attend and experience North Coast firsthand, I cannot make a stronger event recommendation to anyone making Labor Day plans in the years to come.
