First and foremost, I need to start off by saying that I may shed a tear this being my first festival story in nearly a year and a half due to the [severe] rough patch that was the 2020 pandemic. I’VE MISSED YOU FEST FAM. With this last year behind us and the world returning to normalcy, I could not be more pumped that North Coast Music Festival is the first on my list. As you can imagine, all social events that do not take place within the four walls of our own home are ready to go all out, given we’ve been inside for far too long…and NCMF is following suit.
This Chicago favorite will continue as Labor Day Weekend’s biggest party happening September 3-5, but this year has a new home at the freshly renovated SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, IL. The comeback of festivals is a win in itself, but Coasties can get excited for other updates this year, including the return of the fest spanning over three days rather than just two and the addition of a fourth stage for artist-run label takeovers. If you’re a NCMF newcomer, this end of summer banger is a mix of all musical genres, all ages, and will satisfy any fan of both music and art – this fest is decorated with experiential and interactive art installations that have never once fallen short of IG worthy.
This year’s lineup includes everything in the vast array of electronic music including heavy-hitters like Chicago native, Kaskade, to emerging talent and djs like Maximo Quinones and Flynninho (shoutout to my insanely talented homies)! Start planning your LDW now because this is not the fest to miss. Other artists showing out are: GRiZ, Zeds Dead, Louis the Child, Ganja White Night, Rezz, Chris Lake, Claude VonStroke, Green Velvet LaLa Land, DJ Diesel, Nora En Pure, Whethan, and so many more (plus more to be announced)!
As to be expected, NCMF is going the extra mile to ensure the safety of their guests, artists, and staff and will be following all guidelines passed down by local authorities and health experts. 2021 seems to be the light at the end of the tunnel and NCMF promises to deliver on not just stellar vibes, but the safety and comfortability of all patrons with the addition the main stage inside the stadium and another inside a massive air-conditioned and well-ventilated soccer field dome.
Get ready, Coasties, Summer’s Last Stand awaits and it is going to be one hell of a weekend.
