As the birthplace of house music in the late 1970s, the city of Chicago has earned its place as a landmark for dance music. Frankie Knuckles, the “Godfather of House” who moved to the Windy City from New York City, played a pivotal role as the resident DJ at the Warehouse, where he fused disco, soul and electronic music to lay the foundation for house music. Other Chicago DJ/producers including Ron Hardy, Larry Heard (a.k.a. Mr Fingers), Marshall Jefferson, DJ Sneak and Paul Johnson carried this innovation forward. Daft Punk namechecked many of these Chicago legends on “Teachers,” from their 1997 landmark album, ‘Homework,’ as a nod to the city’s massive influence on worldwide dance culture.
Beyond dance, the Windy City has always boasted a vibrant music scene and community. Beginning in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, Chicago established itself as a hotbed for alternative music, with artists ranging from Shellac and Smashing Pumpkins to Wilco and Fall Out Boy. Perry Farrell, the enigmatic and charismatic frontman of Jane’s Addiction, launched Lollapalooza as a way to say farewell to the band, with the event initially taking on form of a counterculture touring festival and eventually settling on Chicago’s Grant Park as a permanent home for the four-day annual extravaganza.
As the festival rooted itself in Chicago, its dance music lineage became a staple of the yearly mega-festivities. Perry’s Stage, named for the founder – who has always been a champion of DJ culture – has become a destination of the dance scene, curating eclectic electronic music year after year. Acts including Diplo, deadmau5, Steve Aoki, LP Giobbi, John Summit and countless others have lit up the stage, drawing a loyal crowd that is all-in on the Perry’s experience. This year, Skrillex will be transforming Perry’s Stage with his own curated line-up as part of special takeover – aptly dubbed Sonny’s Stage – featuring performances by Ahadadream, 2hollis, Nia Archives and more with a concluding set from the electronic tastemaker himself.
Whether you’re Chicago-bound or absorbing the city’s massive cultural impact from a distance, we’ve compiled a collection of electronic tracks from artists who will be moving the crowd on Perry’s Stage and throughout this year’s Lolla. From Sweden’s hit-making duo Galantis to Brazil’s MOCHAKK, turn up a collection of beats that will be heard throughout downtown Chicago and by the boat-borne revelers on Lake Michigan this August.
LISTEN TO THE FESTIVAL RADAR: CHICAGO PLAYLIST ON SOUNDCLOUD NOW
Skrillex, Hamdi, TAICHU & OFFAIAH, Push”
Dubstep innovator Skrillex teams with Hamdi and Argentinian vocalist TAICHU for a banger blending classic pulsating beats with a modern touch.
BEAUZ, Maren Morris, and Zedd, “Make You Say”
Four years after their massive collab “The Middle,” the DJ and the pop singer reunited for this 2022 jam.
FISHER, “TAKE IT OFF”
From the Fine Print Dept: The DJ is not responsible for the actions of the audience while playing this song.
Galantis, “Galantis - 6 Feet Down”
Christian “Bloodshy” Karlsson is the mastermind behind this Swedish electronic act, which started as a duo.
MOCHAKK, “Jealous [Extended Mix]”
The former fashion school student from Brazil broke out last summer with this house heater.
2hollis, “Trauma”
Los Angeles electronic/hip-hop artist 2hollis brings frantic hyperpop energy on “Trauma,” primed to set Sonny’s stage ablaze.
Skrillex, “Reptile's Theme”
Classic from the ‘Mortal Kombat’ soundtrack compilation that helped establish Skrillex as one of the genre’s biggest stars.
Black Tiger Sex Machine, “Black Tiger Sex Machine - Zombie x O Fortuna (ft. Panther)”
The Canadian trio (based in Montreal) specializes in dark, aggressive EDM.
LOUD LUXURY, “Loud Luxury feat. charlieonnafriday - Young & Foolish”
Now based in LA, this Canadian duo came on strong with their remix of Martin Garrix and Dua Lipa’s “Scared to Be Lonely”.
SKREAMIZM, “Skream - My Body”
Released last September, Skream’s ‘Skreamizm 8’ featured this light, bubbly dance track.
Whyte Fang, “24 HRS”
Also answering to Alison Wonderland, this genre-hopping artist builds this recent track on a hypnotic mantra.
Don Diablo, “Disco Marathon (feat. NEEKA)”
A pioneer of future house, here the Dutch DJ goes a little retro with this line-dancing party track.
WALKER & ROYCE, “Walker & Royce & VNSSA - I Don't Remember”
“Can you tell me where the end is?” asks vocalist VNSSA on this thumper from the LA-based duo.
Romy, “Always Forever”
New from the XX vocalist, who rounded up a little help from a fellow named Fred again.. for her latest project.
Alok, “Seek Love (On The Beach)”
Following a big single with Bebe Rexha, the Brazilian DJ keeps up a frantic 2024 pace with this recent drop.
Kasbo, “I’m In Trouble (feat. ViVii)”
Sweden’s Carl Garsbo has logged remixes for Ed Sheeran, Vance Joy and more.
Noizu, “Get Rockin'”
There’s a classic hip-hop-house vibe on this new cut from the LA-based DJ, featuring vocals by Joshwa.
HOL!, “HOL! - BOSS FIGHT”
Ominous, down-tempo title track from the French dubstep DJ’s 2023 album
LEISURE, “Level”
Dreamy track from the New Zealand electronic band, which formed in 2015
it’s murph, “Down Low”
Electronic DJ Garrett Murphy hails from the unlikely dance-music hotbed of… Nashville, TN
Giolì & Assia, “Even If The Time Will Pass By (Full Version)”
There’s a contemplative classical vibe to this track from the fashion conscious Sicilian duo
Nia Archives, “F.A.M.I.L.Y”
New from ‘Silence Is Loud,’ the debut studio album by the English DJ-producer-songwriter
Zeds Dead, “Zeds Dead, Moody Good, Killa P - Mad Ting”
Heavy Jamaican flavor on this collaborative dubstep track, which features the fast-paced vocals of Killa P
LISTEN TO THE FESTIVAL RADAR: CHICAGO PLAYLIST ON SOUNDCLOUD NOW
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