Page 28 - Poze Magazine Volume 86

NORTH COAST

MUSIC FESTIVAL

R E V I E W : B E N Z A N D E R

North Coast Music Festival’s 2025 edition was a delicious demonstration doused in
electronica with all the fixings. Over the past few years, SeatGeek Stadium in
Bridgeview, IL has become home to NCMF’s ideas and progression. This year’s
celebration presented six stages and a silent disco hosting over 130 acts spanning a
gamut of genres from melodic, progressive house all the way to the dirtiest dubstep.
Add to that the presence of a plethora of food options, vendors for shopping, ample
bathrooms, art installations, performance troops, plus drones and fireworks, and you’ve
got one heck of an amazing occasion for patrons to experience.
North Coast Music Festival’s layout was meticulously designed. Entering the festival
was largely stress-free as security personnel were respectful in searching bags and
admitting patrons. Lines moved quickly, and once on the other side of the gates,
multitudes of vendors greeted guests. Head towards the right of the gates through an
inflatable tunnel of sorts and you’re delivered to the incredible Mega Vega stage. To the
left-hand side of entry, attendees climbed a stairwell ascending to the Stadium:
Evolved stage erected on the field of SeatGeak stadium. Joining these two impressive
main stages were smaller spaces like The Shipyard 360, Fire Pit, The Chill Dome, and a
kind of hidden zone in one of the stadium suites dubbed Club Coast. Plus, a silent disco
towards the back end of the astro turf and Mega Vega arena. Each area had its own
unique construction and vibe welcoming patrons to get down all weekend long.
North Coast’s music and entertainment were certainly top notch. Throughout the
weekend I traveled between each of the stages enjoying many artists I was familiar
with while also discovering unique soundscapes from performers I’d never heard
before. You can count me as a fan of Ian Asher, Westend, and DB Stereo going forth.
Every single day offered a bevy of artists from open to close. Entertainment began daily
at 2PM and ran until midnight, except for Sunday’s exceptional closing performance
from Zeds Dead that finished near 1030PM.

On Friday, my first stop was Mega Vega for Malfunktion. Malfunktion is a Chicago talent
who has been working his tail off to get where he is. He’s a lovely human being and this
was the biggest stage he’d played in his performance career to date. He killed it and
celebrated the occasion by welcoming his mother onto the stage for a family photo.
Without a doubt she’s a proud mama, and I am sure Malfunktion will continue to enjoy
much success as he continues pushing himself forward.
From there I began exploring the grounds and caught further electric performances
from the likes of Yookie, Ian Asher, Infekt, Benny Benassi, Tinlicker’s DJ set (one of my
favorite sets from this weekend), Louis the Child, Galantis, Kai Wachi, and Sudden
Death presents VOYD before finishing with Chris Lake. Hot take, and it’s a good one:
Chris Lake is one of the best producers in the entire world. Chris Lake has a potent
arsenal of tracks that excite listeners and was an excellent choice to end North Coast’s
first day of action.

The Mega Vega and Stadium: Evolved stages were undoubtedly impressive and hosted
extraordinary acts, but I won’t lie, I loved the Shipyard throughout the weekend. This
stage boasted a rotating feature so attendees could catch glimpses of their favorite
performers no matter where they found themselves viewing from. Art installations
constructed like sailboats lined one side and were always packed with excited and
energetic attendees. It created a fervor and flavor that drew many into its waiting
harbor. I was thrilled to catch Benny Benassi (58 years young) on this stage, one of my
all-time favorite producers, and his set was nothing short of spectacular.