As the late Oscar Wilde once said: “life is too important to be taken seriously”, an ethos that Justin Martin is sticking with despite achieving soaring success over the last six years as a producer and international DJ. Justin initially pricked the ears of the electronic music community in 2003 with his first record ‘The Sad Piano’ on Ben Watt’s Buzzin’ Fly label. Feeding off the energy of the San Francisco underground, Justin was intrinsically involved with the development of Dirtybird records, appearing on its first four releases. Justin was soon ready to take flight, releasing a string of solo EPs that flaunted a very unique sound and garnered further respect among fellow DJs and heavyweights of the scene. Music journalists typically describe Justin’s sound as ‘melodic and tough’ with his music encapsulating both melody and emotional depth yet always with enough undeniable ass-shaking properties to translate to the floor. “I’m always trying to find music for my DJ sets that rattles sound systems, but still has enough melody and interesting texture to expand your mind even if you’re sitting at home on a snowy or rainy day.”

In 2020, Justin launched his new label ‘What To Do...’, kicking things off with his first single ‘Needs’. The label focuses on his distinctive sound and include special collaborative works, diving deeper creatively and pushing the limits of his sound - music with emotional depth combined with raw dancefloor grit.

ARC After The Lake: Justin Martin

The spacey lo-fi house of DJ Boring – moniker of Tristan Hallis – is really anything but. Based in London, the Australian DJ pairs blurry beats with industrial bass on his 2017 EPs Sunday Avenue and Different Dates. Gaining attention on YouTube in 2016 with ‘Winona’ – an atmospheric slow-burner revolving around a fuzzy sample from a ’90s interview with Winona Ryder – Boring’s energetic Boiler Room sessions (which have blessed Belfast and Sydney) see his synths bounce from Belgian techno to funk house.

Official July 4th Weekender After-Party: DJ Boring

LF System are a Scottish production duo consisting of Conor Larkman and Sean Finnigan who have been injecting dancefloors with high-energy, joyful electronica.

Official July 4th Weekender After-Party: LF System

Leisan, a rising star of the global house scene, makes her Chicago debut!! With releases on Diynamic, Abracadabra, and 303Lovers, and co-signs from legends like Solomun and Blond:ish, Leisan has lit up venues like Sound Nightclub and Academy LA. From Moscow to LA to Chicago, her performances blend deep grooves, killer vocals, and a magnetic stage presence that commands the dancefloor.

Leisan

Never Dull is the Boogie Maestro bringing soul back to the dancefloor. Fusing 70s disco and house he blends iconic grooves with modern energy. BIG DISCO ENERGY isnt a throwback...its a revival. A bold, bass-driven anthem reviving the feeling in dance music. Its not nostalgia. Its a movement pushing disco into overdrive for a new generation.

Never Dull: Big Disco Energy Tour

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A Thursday night made for Chicago

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Eyes Only

A name quickly emerging from The Netherlands’ rich house landscape, Utrecht-based DJ and producer Wesley Endeman, aka Locklead, is fast becoming a favourite for many as he steps out into the spotlight in style.

Known for serving up sharp-edged material via Slapfunk, Pleasure Zone, Dungeon Meat and Up The Stuss, the home of his debut album, plus remixes for the likes of Dutch legend Michel de Hey on Kerri Chandler’s Madhouse, his innate ability within the studio has lead to a wealth of support from across the scene, establishing him as one of modern house music’s go-to emerging names. However, with age and maturity comes new sounds and styles. Recent explorations have welcomed a slight shift with the Dutchman taking things deeper and more expansive, showcasing his rich studio talent and wide-reaching influences via his evolving yet signature sound.

A versatile and accomplished selector, delivering tough, heady cuts through to silky house sonics, Locklead can be found in the booth across a multitude of lineups and events series – from dark, sweaty basement raves to slick, relaxed beach parties, and of course, Slapfunk’s legendary events at Amsterdam’s iconic Bret where he features as a regular.

Locklead

French DJ and producer Shiba San blends French hip-hop beat sampling with Chicago house to create his soul-informed hip-hop dance fusion. His breakout track ‘Okay’, “changed the way we listened to music”, according to Dancing Astronaut. He has since become a mainstay house producer and DJ, drawing acclaim from Pete Tong, Annie Mac and Danny Howard.

Taste of River North AfterParty: Shiba San

British duo Two Shell blend U.K. garage, post-dubstep, and techno, often making use of semi-obscured vocal samples in their sophisticated, club-tooled tracks.

BIO:

You should, by now, both know and not know who Two Shell are. The pair have studiously cultivated their allure while actively concealing their identities. They send stand-ins to play shows, distribute press shots that depict a rotating cast of strangers (though always in pairs), and have trotted out patently deepfaked collabs with Frank Ocean and Taylor Swift. They’ve been toeing this cheeky line in earnest since 2022, but many of the same ingredients have remained—crisp drums, thrummed bass, precise sound design, and a heavy debt to jungle, techno, and UKG—but now come with a hi-def glow, with the helium squeals and saccharine swirls of hyperpop pushed to the fore.

with HOTPRETTY

Two Shell

Two Aussie DJs helm the decks for an excellent back-to-back you won't wanna miss!

AIRWOLF PARADISE is the producer and DJ behind the hit songs "Don't Hurt Me Baby" on Patrick Topping's label Trick and 2023's track "Only Man (ft. Paul Johnson)" on Solomun's label Diynamic.

TORREN FOOT a house dj/producer gained international attention following the release of ‘More Life’ topping #1 Beatport overall. spins from tastemakers Adam Beyer, Claptone, Mat.Joe & Wax Motif.

Both have had support from fellow DJs Dom Dolla, Pete Tong, DJ Tennis, John Summit, Carlita, Meduza, LF System, Adam Beyer, Claptone, Mat.Joe & Wax Motif.

Airwolf Paradise+Torren Foot: Lollapalooza Afters

Spybar is a Chicago institution, boasting unparalleled nightlife for 18 years and running. This "River North party paradise" according to Rolling Stone Magazine (August 2013), is the perfect cross section between high octane clubbing and intimate lounge atmosphere. The ideal place to catch the world's best DJ talent up close and personal, Spybar has been showcasing superstar caliber names in this downtown Chicago ultralounge for well over a decade. Literally underground, Spybar is 4500 square feet located directly below street level in the heart of the city's nightlife epicenter, featuring minimal chic decor and mod-cluster seating for the ultimate table experience
Bottle Menu / Prices available at www.spybarchicago.com/menu

Events

Jul. 2025