New York's music scene is set to pulsate with the rhythm of dance beats as John Summit launches his own curated Experts Only Festival this fall. Slated for a grand showing on Randall’s Island from September 20-21, this event, as highlighted by CBS News, is expected to draw in a crowd of about 50,000 attendees, making it a contender for New York City's largest dance music festival.
Tickets are eagerly anticipated to go on sale Friday morning, with fans ready to be swiftly secure their spots for what promises to quickly become a quintessential summer-closeout bash. The island has been a go-to for major music fests in the past, serving as the setting for Governors Ball and Electric Zoo, and organizers are set to continue the tradition with "state-of-the-art stage designs, a diverse array of food and beverage options, interactive brand activations, and much more," according to the same CBS News release.
Featuring more than 15 artists across two stages, the Experts Only Festival doesn't skimp on talent. The lineup includes big names like John Summit and DJ Seinfeld, alongside back-to-back sets from Kaskade and Cassian, as well as Green Velvet with Layton Giordani. Billboard revealed that additional acts are set to join these electronic scene heavyweights and will be announced in the subsequent months.
A distinctive feature of the festival is its commitment to social responsibility. A dollar from every ticket sold will be donated to Femme House, an organization founded by LP Giobbi and Lauren Spalding, which aims to achieve equity in dance music by supporting women, gender-expansive, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ creatives through free education, mentorship, and community. This detail further solidifies the festival's progressive ethos and was featured prominently in a statement by Billboard.
The Experts Only Festival marks John Summit’s return to New York following his sold-out Madison Square Garden show in 2024. The event comes after Electric Zoo was canceled in 2023 and has not returned. Summit’s new festival aims to fill that gap with performances planned against the New York skyline.
