The inaugural two-day fest on Randall’s Island Park brought all of the summer party-goers a closing soirée, top-tier talent and that “festival feeling” back to New York for successful first edition.
On Saturday, September 20 and Sunday, September 21, 2025, the first-ever Experts Only Festival made its debut on Randall’s Island Park. Boasting more than 25,000 attendees each day, the two-day inaugural NYC fest was a success – and it felt great seeing the city have what felt like a dance music festival renaissance.
Filling a void that has since been gone since the last Electric Zoo Festival on Randall’s Island in 2023 – which ran from 2009 and served as NYC’s leading dance music festival – Experts Only was a smaller-scale EZoo. An impressive feat for its very first installment here in New York City, Experts Only has the potential to annually continue and evolve on the island.
There’s just something about that Randall’s Island festival feeling. From the picturesque views of the city skyline, the waterfront scenes, the grassy scenescape and spacious layout – the festival grounds were transformed with art pieces and installations, food and drink options, and a jam-packed lineup across both days including a highlighted focus on talented female artists.
On Saturday, Sept. 20, across three stages, crowds gathered for DJ sets from techno titans – Green Velvet b2b Layton Giordani, Pete Tong and the rising label friends including Ayybo, Teed, Roddy Lima, Enamour b2b Weska, Kamino, Eve Lauren.
Day two, Sunday, Sept. 21, brought performances from Kaskade b2b Cassian, LP Giobbi, DJ Seinfeld, Tini Gessler, Kasablanca, Lumia, Tony Y Not and a very special surprise set from the label boss himself, John Summit early in the day.
Culminating with two hour headline sets, both nights were highlighted by equally unique, fast paced yet euphoric soundtracking by John Summit. The main stage booth felt like home for Summit, who as always surrounded himself with his tight knit team, close friends and a crowd as far as the eye can see. Some of Summit’s greatest hits “Fade Out,” “Shiver,” “Where You Are,” plus remixes of the classics “Sweet Disposition” and Everything But The Girl’s “Missing” were made for the masses to sing along.
Summit’s rendition of Green Velvet’s “Shake & Pop,” and the Odd Mob remix of Summit’s “Palm of My Hands” never ceases to shake the speakers and get the people going. Complete with impeccable stage design and production, pyro, and lasers, the vision of Experts Only as a standalone music festival has no ceiling on its future.
Closing the final night with “Go Back” into “Crystallized,” in the wild Subtronics remix, the stylistic peaks throughout the weekend made for an inclusive house, techno – and even the occasional bass – haven for the eclectic yet expert fans.