Chicago Electronic Music Conference

Chicago’s premier conference for electronic music fans and creators.

A spotlight on Chicago’s underground music and culture. A one-day event to connect, educate, and inspire.

Phase 1

Panels:

Artists:
Darryn Jones (Durty Truth Records) – Legendary disco DJ and rare vinyl collector

Max Jacobson (Tied Chicago) – Label head and the undisputed king of Chicago minimal house

Chachi Guerrero (Bless This Mess) – Underground star and founder of Bless This Mess

Phase 2 

Panels:

Preserving Nightlife Culture in the Modern Era

Hosts: Andrew Emil & Luis Baro (Viva Acid)

Speakers: Mamadou (Witch Finger), La Spacer (TRQPiTECA), Duane Powell (Sound Rotation)

Music Production & Creativity: Finding Flow in the Studio

Host: Kai Castro

Speakers: Orville Kline (Chicago Ableton Instructor), Blu 9 (Poker Flat Recordings), I Am Me (Twitchin Skratch / Killer Mushrooms)

From DIY to Sold Out: How to Throw a Successful Event

Host: Steve Noah

Speakers: Rami Dabura (Dance Rituals), Jaggy (Green Machine), Flores Negras (MICTLAN Productions)

Social Media & Digital Strategy for Artists: What Actually Works in 2025 and Beyond

Host: Olivia Mancuso

Speakers: Drew (House Calls), Janesita, TBA

Leave the Door Open: Mentorship Pathways in the DIY Dance Community

Hosts: Elly Schook & Sam Kern

Speakers: Patrixia (TRUST), Jarvi Schneider (Acid Daddy), Jenny Arcade (Deep Field Events), Sean Taylor (Humboldt Arboreal Society)

Resilience & Rhythm: The Art of the Comeback & Longevity in Dance Music

Host: Czarina Mirani

Speakers: Joe Shanahan (Metro/Smartbar Founder), Mike Dunn (Chosen Few DJs), DJ Lady D (Best House Music DJ 2023)

Artists:

Adam Pecho

CEMC designer and Techno’s favorite local producer (Format)

Alfred Clayton

The mind behind Chicago Progressive House

Brenda

Smartbar resident and Techno diva (Format)

Chachi Guerrero

Bless This Mess founder and underground star

Darryn Jones

Legendary Disco DJ and rare vinyl collector

DJ Lady D

Chicago’s Queen of House music

Enberg

Chicago Progressive House resident

Happyghost

Mixdown master and Aathee label head

Hootie

CSO percussionist and Aathee label head

Hopscotch

CEMC co-founder and Aathee label head

Inés

Creator of Work Ethic, avid digger, “Durty” dancer

Jace Inman

Heavensware’s king DJ/VJ – Half of Shadow Work

Jaggy

Green Machine founder and fan-favorite selector

Jayah

embrace radio show host and ATM resident

Max Jacobson

The undisputed king of Chicago Minimal House (Tied)

Mike Dearborn

Homegrown Techno pioneer and one of Daft Punk’s “Teachers” (Majesty // Chicago)

Patrick Conahan

Green Machine boss and Guitarist of metal band Nequient

Venosci

Modular maestro – Half of Shadow Work (Heavensware)

Vendors:

IXXA Coffee

A Chicago-born brand honoring Latin American coffee traditions. Founded by first-generation Americans, IXXA is a tribute to the hands that cultivate, craft, and sustain coffee culture.

RMBR Kombucha

Chicago-born brand normalizing healthy, nonalcoholic beverages in social settings. RMBR = Real Memories, Better Rituals

ALM / Busy Circuits

A UK-based boutique manufacturer crafting innovative Eurorack modules that blend vintage warmth with modern flexibility. 

Drift DJ

Chicago-based creators of Zero, a truly portable DJ system offering 2-deck playback, built-in effects, and a 32GB internal music library – featured in Mixmag’s best music tech 2024.

No Requests / Feeltrip Records

Blurring the lines between label, collective, and movement, No Requests / Feeltrip Records amplifies underground sounds with heart. 

Sensaphonics

Industry-leading in-ear monitors designed to protect hearing while delivering pristine sound – trusted by top artists worldwide.

Smartbar

Chicago’s legendary underground club, shaping dance music culture with world-class DJs and a deep-rooted community spirit. 

Zlob Modular

Handmade in Chicago and unapologetically weird, Zlob Modular pushes Eurorack synthesis into uncharted territory with precision and grit. 

See you there! Stay tuned as we reveal a final phase of music programming, vendors, and exciting features in the upcoming weeks.

Check out the official CEMC website for more details – chicagoemc.com

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