EXPERTS ONLY FESTIVAL nyc 2025
JOHN SUMMIT BRINGS EXPERTS ONLY FESTIVAL TO LIFE ON RANDALL’S ISLAND
Content & Article by: Yoselin Moreno
@yoselinmmedia
Over 50,000 fans poured onto Randall’s Island for John Summit’s Experts Only Festival, a two-day celebration of house music and community. Hailing from Chicago, Summit is a DJ, producer, songwriter, and label owner known for his infectious tech house tracks and magnetic stage presence.
In 2022, John Summit launched Experts Only (formerly Off the Grid) a label and event brand designed to spotlight rising talent and push the boundaries of electronic music culture. The brand hosts a mix series called Experts Only Radio, showcasing label artists and scene favorites, while also curating immersive events from ski-town takeovers in Vail to full-scale festivals.This summer, cryptic artwork teased a New York City event, and soon after, Summit officially announced the Experts Only Festival NYC, set for September 20 to 21, 2025, on Randall’s Island. The announcement followed the release of his debut album Comfort in Chaos, and the festival promised a stacked lineup of over 20 artists. After weeks of anticipation, the inaugural Experts Only Festival landed in New York, delivering an unforgettable weekend of music, art, and connection.
LAYOUT & PRODUCTION
The two day festival unfolded on the scenic Randall’s Island in New York City, transforming the space into a vibrant playground of music, art, and culture. The event featured three distinct stages: Main Stage, Mirror Field, and the whimsically Pwemium Wounge, strategically positioned at opposite ends of the grounds to optimize crowd movement and accessibility.
The Main Stage served as the heart of the festival, pulsing with high energy performances, dazzling LED visuals, and explosive pyrotechnics that lit up the night sky. Towering above the crowd was the exclusive VIP Skydeck, curated by LIV, the iconic nightlife brand from Miami and Las Vegas, offering panoramic views and a party atmosphere for select guests.
Meanwhile, the Pwemium Wounge offered a more intimate and curated experience. This elevated “wounge” space featured the Locals Only stage, where emerging and underground artists took the spotlight. Specialty cocktails flowed freely as attendees grooved to sets from B/AN/K, Poolhaus, PAVER, and Raw Safari, creating a laid back yet electric vibe that contrasted beautifully with the main stage’s intensity.
The festival grounds buzzed with energy, packed with attendees exploring immersive art installations inspired by the Experts Only ethos. These pieces doubled as interactive experiences and Instagram worthy photo ops, adding a layer of visual storytelling to the event. Limited edition festival merchandise was available throughout the venue, drawing long lines of fans eager to snag exclusive gear.
Food options were impressively diverse, catering to a wide range of tastes and dietary preferences. From wood fired Italian pizzas and spicy Mexican street tacos to savory Asian stir fries, Caribbean jerk chicken, and fresh Mediterranean bowls, the culinary offerings elevated the festival experience beyond music and art.
SUPPORT
The festival kicked off at 3 p.m. on both days, setting the tone for an electrifying weekend of music and community. On Saturday, rising DJ and producer KAMINO ignited the main stage with a high energy hour long set, blending pulsing beats and atmospheric transitions that drew early crowds into full festival mode. His performance marked a bold start to a lineup packed with talent.
Throughout the weekend, attendees were treated to a diverse array of sonic experiences from acclaimed artists including LP Giobbi, whose genre bending set fused house with live instrumentation; DJ Seinfeld, known for his lo fi textures and emotional depth; Kasablanca, delivering cinematic progressive house; and AYYBO, whose funky rhythms and bass heavy drops kept the dance floor moving. The lineup was a testament to the festival’s commitment to showcasing both established names and emerging voices in electronic music.
Among the most anticipated moments were two back to back sets that had fans buzzing. New York native Layton Giordani teamed up with house legend Green Velvet for a dynamic session that merged Giordani’s techno precision with Velvet’s quirky, groove laden style, creating a hypnotic blend.
On Sunday there was a rare and thrilling collaboration between Kaskade and Cassian. Kaskade, a pioneering figure in American electronic music, brought his signature melodic house and progressive vibes, while Cassian, the Australian breakout star, infused the set with deep, emotive layers rooted in melodic techno. Together, they crafted a seamless fusion of nostalgic warmth and forward thinking sound design.
JOHN SUMMIT
Over the course of two unforgettable days, John Summit delivered a total of four electrifying sets: two headlining performances and two surprise appearances that kept fans buzzing. On Saturday, he popped up at the Pwemium Wounge for an intimate, low key set that felt like a private party. With the crowd packed tightly around the decks, Summit spun a deep and groovy selection, weaving in tracks like “Make Me Feel,” and “In Chicago”. The energy was intimate yet intense, with fans exchanging knowing smiles as they realized they were witnessing something special.
Sunday brought a different flavor as Summit took over Mirror Field for a nostalgic hour long throwback set. He dove into his earlier catalog, dropping fan favorites like “La Danza,” “Legacy,” “Beauty Sleep,” and “Deep End.” The crowd roared with recognition at each drop, turning the field into a sea of movement.
Both nights, Summit’s headlining sets were nothing short of spectacular. Towering LED walls framed the stage, bursting with hypnotic visuals, while pyrotechnics lit up the sky in sync with the music’s climactic moments. Performers in futuristic costumes danced across the stage, adding theatrical flair to the already immersive experience. The atmosphere was electric as pure euphoria radiated from the crowd, who never stopped moving, cheering, and singing along.
His Sunday night finale was a masterclass in tension and release. He closed with a thunderous bass remix of his latest track “Crystalized,” teasing the drop with a long, suspenseful build. As the beat finally crashed in, the crowd erupted jumping and losing themselves in the moment. It was the kind of collective release that only happens when music, energy, and emotion collide perfectly.
John Summit’s magnetic stage presence, seamless mixing, and instinct for crowd pleasing drops turned the weekend into a house music utopia. From intimate grooves to festival sized bangers, he proved why he’s one of the most exciting names in dance music today.
