The North Coast Music Festival held in Chicago, IL each year has built up the reputation as one of the most wide-ranging, and not to mention, timely festivals of the summer. Reflecting a variety of musical genres and held during Labor Day weekend, the NCMF is one of the region’s most celebrated festivals, and for good reason. They rarely if ever disappoint. Here are five big reasons why you should trade in your day job for one last weekend in the sun to become a ‘Coastie’:

1. Location, Location, Location

Hello! North Coast Music Festival is centered in one of the greatest cities in the country – Chicago. Ever heard of it? What is there not to like about an affordable 3-day music festival fixed on one of the Windy City’s premier parks? And after expanding the festival grounds last year and hosting as many as 20,000 festival goers per day, the site of this year’s event, Union Park, will be well and ready for another memorable showing. For travel tips on the best ways of getting to and from the show, you can visit NCMF’s website here.

North Coast Music Festival Announces Daily Lineups

2. The Eclectic Headliners

North Coast Music Festival is a true hometown production. Put together by several independent promoters in Chicago (React Presents, Silver Wrapper, Cold Grums Productions, Metronome Chicago) who vary in expertise all along the sonic spectrum (electronic, hip hop, jam band, indie rock, etc.), the group of four have continuously assembled some of the most diverse festival showcases year-to-year. Just take a look at the headlining acts this year for an example: Widespread Panic, D’Angelo And The Vanguard, and The Chemical Brothers. Find any common thread? Neither do we. And that’s great! NCMF’s great lineup depth is going to keep the ears guessing each and every day in some of the most pleasing ways possible. Not only that, but one is bound to be exposed to something new and exciting that they can go home with and explore some more. Talk about the power of music!

North Coast Music Festival’s Co-Founder Reveals His Top 10 Can’t Miss Acts!

3. The Undercard

Try this on for size: A festival goer is going to be able to catch something like funk powerhouse Galactic and their dynamic collaboration with singer Macy Gray, then move on to some wonderfully electro-tinged beats via Steve Aoki, and finish the night off being serenaded by the soul and groove of D’Angelo. Does it get much better than that?

Only maybe if you come back for the next day when you’d get the chance to see The Disco Biscuits, Portgual. The Man, and SOJA all in the same day. See, the North Coast Music Festival is not just a top-heavy festival, it has a nice range and balance for fans of jam bands, hip-hop, electronic music, funk, rock, and the list goes on. Don’t sleep on the early sets, festival goers, or you’ll be sorely disappointed. 

4. The After Parties

The fun at North Coast Music Festival doesn’t have to stop even though the festival grounds have shut down. On top of all the great music going on during the day and night at Union Park, just check out the number of awesome after party options that will be offered by NCMF around the city:

THURSDAY 9/3

Le Youth + Plastic Plates – the MID 21+ | Free with RSVP | Tickets

FRIDAY 9/4

-Daft Rock – Future Rock Performs the Music of Daft Punk + North American Scum – Members of Turbo Suit, Digital Tape Machine, Spare Parts Present the Music of LCD Soundsystem – Concord Music Hall 18+ | Tickets
–The Main Squeeze – Official Mind Your Head Album Release Party – Bottom Lounge 17+ | Tickets
–Knife Party – the MID 21+ | Tickets
–Salva, Sicko Mobb, Martin $ky + Cofresi – Cobra Lounge 21+ | Tickets

SATURDAY 9/5
–The Disco Biscuits – Concord Music Hall 18+ | Tickets
–Lyrics Born, The Heard + O.R. They? – Cobra Lounge 21+ | Tickets
–Sweater Beats, Humans + Smoko Ono – Bottom Lounge 17+ | Tickets
–Steve Aoki + Ricoshei – the MID 21+ | Tickets
–Galactic – 1st Ward 18+ | Tickets
–Chromeo (DJ Set) – Studio Paris 21+ | Tickets

SUNDAY 9/6

–Goldfish + Auto Body – Bottom Lounge 17+ | Tickets
–Green Velvet – the MID 21+ | Tickets
–Kill The Noize, The Trap House + Rodga – Transit 21+ | Tickets
–Until the Ribbon Breaks, GGOOLLDD, Equator Club – Cobra Lounge 21+ | Tickets

MONDAY 9/7

–NCMF Official Closing Party w/ Porn N Chicken + Special Guest TBA – Evil Olive 21+ | Tickets 

5. Labor Day Weekend is the unofficial end to summer. Go out and have a great time!

The end of summer can be a bittersweet time, reflecting on what great things you did over the past few months and bemoaning the fact that in not too long a time the warm weather will be turning into brisk winds and for many, heaps of snow to shovel from the driveway. Nevertheless, Labor Day weekend is one of the last great opportunities to throw all caution to the wind, make a few more lasting memories with your family and friends, partake in some good local food and drink, and indulge in some of vibrant sounds.

Whether it be your first festival of the summer or your last, make it count at North Coast Music Festival! The fest will take place from September 4-6 in Chicago, IL.

For tickets and more information, head to the official North Coast Music Festival website!