If you’re tuned into the pulse of electronic music right now, you know Beyond Wonderland Chicago isn’t just another festival with a stacked lineup. It’s a two-day, multi-genre deep dive into the now, the next, and the neck-snapping unexpected. Whether you’re chasing bass bliss, house hypnosis, or the high-octane thrill of genre collisions, here’s who you need to lock in on.
Saturday, June 7 – Bass, House, and the Beautifully Unhinged
Marshmello
Marshmello remains one of electronic music’s most inviting ambassadors, and that’s something to celebrate. His sets fire off a kaleidoscope of sounds—trap drops, pop hooks, future‑bass swells, and the occasional gut‑punch of dubstep—all stitched together with an effortless showman’s flair.
Blanke
Blanke’s sound sits between post-apocalyptic bass and cinematic emotion. He’s the type of artist who can go from a tearjerker breakdown to full-on sonic demolition without it feeling forced. His newer sets are evolving beyond the melodic bass mold, hinting at a future filled with even more experimentation.
Eli & Fur
This duo crafts house music with real emotional texture. It’s warm, hypnotic, and immersive—perfect for fans of Anjunadeep vibes or late-night introspection. Think four-on-the-floor with vocal lines that linger in your head for hours. In a festival full of high BPM chaos, Eli & Fur bring the balance.
Virtual Riot
He’s one of the most respected producers in dubstep for a reason. His sets are a clinic in precision sound design: glitchy fills, skull-rattling subs, and melodies that cut through the noise. Whether you’re a rail-rider or an arm-crosser, there’s something here for you.
Twinsick
Twinsick makes feel-good electronic music that leans into the festival moment—bright, hooky, and custom-built for crowd energy. They bridge the gap between Top 40 sensibility and club-ready sound, which makes their sets magnetic for both hardcore ravers and casual fans alike.
Samplifire
A dark horse in the riddim scene with sound design that borders on terrifying. There’s structure, intention, and enough mid-tempo menace to separate him from the copy-paste crowd. Don’t miss the chance to catch a future headliner on the climb.
Sunday, June 8 – House Heat, Bass Destruction & Genre-Benders
Illenium
He’s still the king of the emotional build-up and gut-punch drop. Illenium’s music feels cinematic because it is—it’s meant to make you feel everything at once. His live shows often come with new edits and enough pyrotechnics to light up the entire lakefront. Prepare for a journey, not just a set.
Green Velvet
If you’ve never seen Green Velvet live, you’re not just missing a set—you’re missing a sermon. He brings Chicago house history, modern minimalism, and weird-as-hell vocals into one gloriously groovy package. It’s music that makes you think while you dance, and the vibe is unmatched.
Malaa
Malaa doesn’t speak, he just plays bangers. His G-house sound is built for dark clubs and late-night warehouse energy—but it somehow translates perfectly to festival stages. Expect relentless grooves, eerie samples, and a hypnotic build that never breaks.
Jessica Audiffred B2B Nostalgix
Two of the most exciting forces in bass and house collide for what could be a show-stealer. Jessica brings the heavyweight bass energy; Nostalgix brings the bounce and swagger. Together, they’re flipping the script on what B2Bs can be. It’s a battle for who can own the crowd harder.
Subtronics
The dubstep icon is on a tear right now, merging psychedelic chaos with meme-worthy drops and surprisingly slick transitions. Subtronics brings humor, horror, and headbanging into one cohesive experience, and his crowd follows him like a cult leader with a USB stick.
MPH
UK garage is having a moment, and MPH is at the front of the wave. His production is clean, bouncy, and refreshingly unpretentious. Think dancefloor heaters with zero fluff. If you’re looking for something different that still goes off, make time for this one.
Beyond Wonderland Chicago 2025 isn’t just another fest—it’s a pressure test for where dance music is heading. Big names, bold bookings, and a clear vision for what’s next. Skip the predictable path and discover your new favorite artist. Because at Beyond, the best set of the weekend might be the one you never saw coming.
Author: Christopher Mariano
Premier EDM 