Must-See Sets at North Coast Music Festival 2026

North Coast Music Festival is right around the corner, and with 75+ artists performing, it might be hard to prioritize which sets to catch.

No worries, we went ahead and made the list for you, featuring Illenium b2b Slander, Sammy Virji, GRiZ, and more.

Kicking things off is a melodic bass dream come true with Illenium b2b Slander. This set originally debuted at Illenium’s Ember Shores Music Festival in Mexico back in 2023. Since then, fans have had the chance to catch this performance at EDC Las Vegas, HiJinx Festival, and Decadence New Year’s Eve. This will be a highly sought-after performance, and we recommend finding a spot in the crowd early, as this stage will be absolutely packed.

Up next is Porter Robinson, bringing his high-energy DJ set to Chicago this summer. Porter fans often debate whether his Live sets or DJ sets are more enjoyable, but honestly, they both hit home in their own unique way. If you have only seen Porter Robinson on his most recent tour, SMILE, expect a completely different, more upbeat vibe at his North Coast Music Festival performance.

Next on the list is the King of UK Garage, Sammy Virji. Sammy Virji sold out his recent performances in Chicago, with a wicked b2b with Fred again.. last summer, that only a select few were lucky enough to snag tickets to. Sammy Virji creates irresistible beats designed for moving and grooving on the dance floor. Watch out for set time announcements, as Sammy Virji is curating an entire stage this year.

Our next set to see at North Coast Music Festival is GRiZ, whose recently released album has been on repeat for months. This set is bound to get down and dirty, filled with the filthiest of funk, saxophones, and bass for the baddies. GRiZ is a longtime favorite, and a set you absolutely don’t want to miss.

Continuing down our list is one of our favorite women in dubstep, Level Up. Level Up has grown into a leading figure within the bass scene, with a defined sound design and style that’s uniquely her own. With collaborations featuring Excision, ALLEYCVT, Subtronics, and Wooli, her sets are always jam-packed with heavy bass bangers. 

Next up is Mary Doppinz, another boss babe in the scene who has recently started gaining major traction. She was even noted as an artist to watch in 2026, and she absolutely understood the assignment. Mary Droppinz embarked on her first solo tour earlier this year and has been crushing the festival scene. While predominantly a bass artist, Mary Droppinz is known for her ability to blend genres, bringing impeccable bass and vibes to all her sets.

Last but certainly not least is Flowdan, another UK artist you may recognize as a vocalist from some of your favorite EDM tracks. Flowdan is the first British MC to win a Grammy and is well known within the electronic dance community for his collaborations with Skrillex, Fred again.., Subtronics, and Sammy Virji. This will be an extremely unique performance for North Coast Music Festival, so don’t be late!

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