Chicago’s July 4th Weekender Features Local and International Sounds

The birthplace of house music welcomes international and local electronic music talent this Independence Day weekend as Auris Presents transforms Chicago’s lakefront into a celebration of the genre’s evolution. The July 4th Weekender runs Friday and Saturday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Theater on the Lake.

The lineup reflects house music’s journey from Chicago’s underground warehouses to global dance floors. Friday features Jungle, DRAMA, Todd Terje, DJ Boring, Warner Case, and Jayah. Saturday brings Disco Lines, Noizu, Justin Jay, LF System, Tara Brooks, and Rika B.

The lakefront setting at Fullerton Avenue and Lake Shore Drive offers festival-goers views of both Lake Michigan and the city skyline. It’s a fitting backdrop for music that began in Chicago’s industrial spaces and is now celebrated worldwide.

Jungle brings their London dance and nu-disco sound to Friday’s festivities. The London-based trio of Josh Lloyd-Watson, Tom McFarland, and Lydia Kitto has spent over a decade blending electronic production with funk and pop styles.

Their DJ sets reveal a different side of the group known for hits like “Busy Earnin’.” Behind the decks, they explore club-focused sounds and demonstrate the curation skills that have earned them spots alongside electronic music stars like Ben UFO and Hot Chip.

Chicago’s DRAMA will represent the city’s contemporary house evolution on Friday. Producer Na’el Shehade and vocalist Via Rosa have spent 10 years crafting what they call “happy sad music handmade in Chicago.”

Their collaboration with U.K. duo Gorgon City on “You’ve Done Enough” reached number 70 on U.K. charts and earned BRIT Certified Silver status. The success opened doors to major festivals including Coachella and Lollapalooza, where their emotional dance music connects with diverse audiences.

Saturday features tech house icon Noizu bridging underground sounds and festival energy. The U.K.-born, Los Angeles-based producer whose name is a translation for “noise” in Japanese, broke through in 2017 when Chris Lake and Skrillex selected his track “Lasers” for their HOWSLA compilation.

His cartoon persona and festival anthems like “Summer 91 (Looking Back)” have earned consistent support from scene leaders including Diplo and John Summit. The approach reflects his philosophy of creating “feel-good, fun music trying to bring everyone together for a good time.”

To close out the weekend, Disco Lines will be headlining on Saturday night. The 25-year-old Colorado native, born Thadeus Labuszewski, discovered electronic music through early Skrillex and has since refused traditional categorization.

His approach fuses deep house, future bass, and trap elements into something entirely his own, and the strategy has paid off. His 2022 single “Baby Girl” surpassed 200 million Spotify streams while earning support from artists like Zedd and Gryffin.

The festival offers more than just another weekend of electronic music; it captures the essence of Chicago house. The combination of venue and lineup celebrates Chicago’s continued involvement in the evolution of house music, setting the stage for ARC Music Festival later this summer.

If you’re still looking for plans this weekend, check out the July 4th Weekender. Limited day passes are still available here.