Heard It Here First

Following a monumental 15th anniversary in 2025, North Coast Music Festival is back again, boasting a lineup that features artists coming from all areas of electronic music. Known for its genre-spanning sets, the festival continues the narrative in 2026 with the Phase One lineup, which includes big acts like Crankdat, Fisher, Ganja White Night, GRiZ, Gryffin, ILLENIUM B2B SLANDER, Levity B2B Tape B, Porter Robinson (DJ set), Sammy Virji, Wooli, Jade Cicada, and Special Guest Chris Lorenzo. This is only the first phase of the lineup release, so keep your eyes open for additional artists to be added in the coming months.

NCMF is the largest Labor Day weekend party in Chicago. The festival returns to SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, which is a quick 30-minute commute from downtown. The unique venue features turf fields, six distinct stages, including a huge headliner stadium, and an air-conditioned dome to cool down while enjoying some lasers and tunes at any point of your day’s adventure.

Grab your tickets for North Coast 2026 here: TICKETS

North Coast also has exciting features outside of the music, including interactive art installations, unique vendors, a silent disco, kandi-making stations, and the legendary festival favorite Frick Frack Blackjack. The festival cherishes its community, lovingly referred to as Coasties, proudly celebrating diversity, inclusion, and self-expression. The North Coast ethos reads:

“This is your festival. This is everyone’s festival; We don’t just accept differences. We celebrate them.”

During your North Coast experience, you can discover many of the hidden secrets, bounce between stages to your heart’s content, and create memories that will last a lifetime. Just to help you have a little structure at the adult playground, here are some of the acts that we at HIHF think you should attend.

Sammy Virji

This year, North Coast is partnering with the UKG icon that has been taking the world by storm, Sammy Virji. The producer hailing from London is taking over a stage for the full day, bringing his own curated artists and shaping the vibe for an elite and bouncy experience. Sammy Virji’s live sets are a blast, weaving UK garage with grime, 2-step, and everything else under the sun with his masterful DJ abilities. If you’re looking to be injected with groovy, soulful energy, make sure to check out this stage takeover.

ILLENIUM B2B SLANDER

Two giants in the world of melodic dubstep are colliding at NCMF 2026. This isn’t the first time ILLENIUM and SLANDER have teamed up on stage, as the two acts have hit the decks together at EDC 2025 and Decadence Arizona the year prior in 2024. SLANDER is also set to support Illenium during his monstrous Sphere appearance in 2026, celebrating his new album Odyssey. With chemistry like that, and two acts who both have discographies full of certified emotional bangers, this B2B is a can’t-miss set during your festival experience.

Tape B b2b Levity

Tape B and Levity are two of the top names in dubstep right now, known for both their production prowess and iconic performances. On their own, they create awe-inspiring results, like Tape B’s 2025 Red Rocks show selling out in minutes, and Levity’s recent record breaking laser filled performance at Wintrust arena in Chicago. But when these two hit the stage together, even more special things are set to occur. Whether its Crankity B (Crankdat B2B Levity B2B Tape B) at Electric Forest, or ALLEY Crankity B at The Valley of the Seven Stars (Crankity B + ALLEYCVT), there is magic in the air when these artists share a stage. Levity and Tape B are also going on a summer tour together so there will be plenty of surprises in store for the Coasties. Expect b2b exclusive IDs, 2000s pop & 2010s rap flips, and headbangers floating up towards heaven from this massive back to back performance.

GRiZ

Ever since GRiZ’s return from hiatus, at The Valley Of The Seven Stars, his inaugural festival, it seems like the funky bass producer is on every festival lineup in 2026. Now, the Denver-based, Detroit-raised saxophone-touting maestro is bringing his trademark live show filled with rhythm and love to SeatGeek Stadium. GRiZ sets are must-attend events, and he will be captivating Coasties with his groovy all-around good vibes, sax breakdowns, and heavy dubstep firepower.

Mersiv

When Mersiv takes the stage, the energy in the air transforms, as you are about to be taken on an intergalactic journey through sound. The artist is dedicated to creating immersive experiences, blending dynamic energy with deep emotion, and showcasing this through heavy, filthy dubstep soundscapes. This production guru is set to return to Red Rocks shortly after NCMF, so he will surely be integrating some wild drops and beautiful production into his set to build hype for his return to one of the most legendary venues in the U.S.

ALLEYCVT

Beginning her 9 Lives tour in Chicago, ALLEYCVT is returning to the city for Labor Day weekend, bringing her signature energy and genre-blending mayhem to North Coast. This breakout artist has been rising to prominence with her energetic vocals, dazzling production, and filthy live performances. Make sure to catch her set at NCMF as it will be jam-packed with IDs, gorgeous lasers, and top-knotch vibes that will carry Coasties into the headline set.

Jade Cicada

Jade Cicada is an all-star experimental producer who has gained notoriety in the bass music scene for his excellence in his production craft. The artist had a huge 2025, getting in front of new fans and performing at festivals last year like Beyond Wonderland Chicago, Secret Dreams, and Of The Trees’ Camp Alderwild, and opening for the likes of Zeds Dead. Jade Cicada is known for his unique sets, creating dynamic and psychedelic soundscapes that are supplemented with mind-bending visuals, pairing up with the best VJs in the game for each set.

There is truly no way to go wrong with your North Coast 2026 experience. The festival is tailored for a good time and has events and activations for all types of festival goers. If you want to be part of the journey, you can purchase your tickets using the link right above the lineup graphic!

Who are you looking forward to seeing most? What non-music-focused thing are you planning on participating in? Let us know in the comments below!

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