John Summit’s debut Experts Only Festival turned Randall’s Island into NYC’s biggest electronic music celebration of 2025, featuring Kaskade, Green Velvet, LP Giobbi, Kasablanca, and more.
A New Era for New York City’s Dance Music Scene
New York City has long been a testing ground for large-scale electronic music festivals, but not without its setbacks. From the collapse of Electric Zoo 2023 to Avant Gardner’s recent bankruptcy filing, the city’s dance community has faced its share of disappointments. Enter John Summit with his Experts Only Festival, a bold move that not only revived the spirit of the scene but also set a new benchmark for festivals in NYC.
Held on September 20–21, 2025, at Randall’s Island Park, the inaugural event drew over 50,000 attendees, making it the largest electronic music festival in New York this year. Fans crossed the RFK Bridge in droves, eager to experience a two-day celebration curated under the banner of Summit’s own Experts Only label.
From Label to Landmark Festival
Launched just a few years ago, Experts Only Records quickly rose to prominence, crowned Best Record Label of 2024 by EDM.com. Known for its cutting-edge roster and genre-blurring sound, the label reflects Summit’s vision of pushing boundaries while keeping crowds moving.
The festival was a natural next step. With three performances by Summit himself across the weekend, the DJ-producer cemented the event as a reflection of his unique brand. “I wanted to build something for the fans, by the fans,” Summit said, “and give New York the kind of festival it deserves.”
Saturday Highlights: Icons and Innovators
Day one set the tone with an eclectic lineup designed to satisfy every corner of the dance spectrum. Pete Tong, the legendary BBC Radio 1 tastemaker, delivered a set full of refined house selections, proving his veteran touch remains untouchable.
Layton Giordani took the techno faithful on a deep, pulsing journey, while Green Velvet brought Chicago’s unmistakable groove, reminding everyone why he remains one of the most influential figures in house music history. By nightfall, the festival grounds were packed, the skyline glowing as beats rolled into the night.
Sunday Brilliance: Unannounced Surprises
If Saturday brought the energy, Sunday delivered the magic. Summit himself shocked fans with an unannounced daytime set, transforming the field into a sun-drenched rave where euphoria and spontaneity collided.
Later, Kaskade and Cassian teamed up for a rare and electrifying b2b set, bridging generations of house with effortless flow. LP Giobbi added her signature flair, weaving live piano riffs into pulsating beats, while Kasablanca elevated the stage with a cinematic live performance that blurred the line between electronic and storytelling.
A Festival Built to Last
The success of Experts Only Festival feels like a turning point for NYC’s festival circuit. What once seemed uncertain in the wake of financial scandals and failed events now has a new blueprint: authenticity, careful curation, and an artist-led vision.
For Summit, this is only the beginning. “New York showed up in full force,” he reflected. “This is the start of something much bigger. Experts Only is here to stay.”
With its perfect mix of star power, label energy, and community spirit, the Experts Only Festival has secured its place not only as a NYC staple but as a global destination for electronic music fans.
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