Last weekend, I had the pleasure of attending North Coast Music Festival in Chicago. This 3-day electronic music festival delivered an unforgettable experience for its 14th year, filled with incredible performances, beautiful views, and unforgettable memories. North Coast continues to establish itself as dance music’s premier Labor Day Weekend destination. This year, the festival boasted record attendance, with a whopping 90,000 music lovers dancing their way through three days of phenomenal sets.
Must-See Moments
My North Coast journey began with a truly unique experience called Deep House Yoga. The deep house rhythms combined with the instructor’s infectious energy made this a one-of-a-kind festival memory. This was the perfect start to a 3-day festival, and I would highly recommend all other major festivals look into booking similar unique acts.
While every set brought its own flavor, some truly stood out. Level Up started the weekend with high energy and set the tone for the Stadium Stage on Friday. DJ Susan was a last-minute fill-in for Moksi and experimented with new tunes that electrified the crowd during a sunset set. Perhaps one of the most memorable moments of the whole festival was ISOKNOCK’s groundbreaking North Coast debut, as the duo performed over the crowd at the Shipyard stage from a suspended shipping container.
The festival headliners Subtronics, Illenium, and Two Friends all brought energetic closing sets at the Stadium Stage. On Friday, Subtronics delivered a masterclass in bass and even brought out his wife, Level Up, for a special moment. Illenium had one of the most memorable sets, bringing out familiar collaborators like Dabin on guitar, Said the Sky, and Seven Lions. On Sunday, Two Friends brought out their signature drumline and ended the festival in style.
Beyond the Music
This year saw the return of many fan favorites from 2023. The Chill Dome returned with memorable sets from Tape B, Dr. Fresch, Levity, and more. Club Coast returned this year as an exclusive party for attendees that downloaded the app and provided some of the best views of the Stadium Stage. 2024 also featured more afterparties than ever before, providing attendees with ample opportunities to keep the party going well after the closing sets at the festival grounds. One fun new addition that North Coast introduced this year was Coastie Side Quests. The North Coast media team had several games, activities, and interactions where attendees had chances to win VIP upgrades and North Coast merchandise.
Looking Ahead
This was my fourth year attending the festival and I can confidently say this was the best year yet. With a record-breaking year in the books, North Coast is already gearing up for their 15th anniversary in 2025. If this year was any indication, it promises to be an even bigger and better celebration of music and community. If you’re looking for an unforgettable Labor Day experience, 2025 tickets are already on sale at the lowest price available.
This festival is truly one of the best festivals in the US and continues to improve each year. To keep up with all the news and announcements from North Coast, be sure to follow on its social channels below.
