The sold-out showcase hosted more than 60,000 attendees across two days for its successful second installment on Randall’s Island.
The return of John Summit’s Experts Only Festival to Randall’s Island has delivered all over again. The hype has been palpable for the past 365 days, culminating in the final weekend of summer. A true takeover here in New York City, Summit has single-handedly and successfully kept the festival spirit alive.
On Saturday, September 19, and Sunday, September 20, 2026, Experts Only Festival returned to Randall’s Island Park for a second consecutive year, bringing the island to life once again. Hosting more than 60,000 attendees across the two-day NYC dance music fest, the event resulted in a completely sold-out show for Medium Rare — the renowned festival producers behind Experts Only, as well as many other live events.
After a two-year absence from Randall’s Island, the return of a major electronic music gathering helped revive a familiar feeling for New York festivalgoers. Following Electric Zoo’s run from 2009 through 2023 as one of the city’s most recognizable dance music festivals, Experts Only stepped in with a more intimate, house-focused take on the Randall’s Island experience. For its second edition in New York City, the festival made another impressive and lasting impression, showcasing its potential to become an annual dance destination while continuing to grow and evolve in the future.
Part of what makes Randall’s Island such a memorable festival setting is the atmosphere surrounding the grounds. With Manhattan’s skyline serving as a backdrop, waterfront views on the horizon, and wide stretches of open grass throughout the site, the location offers plenty of room to create an immersive festival environment. Experts Only took advantage of that setting, incorporating eye-catching art installations, food and beverage offerings, and a packed two-day lineup. The programming also placed a strong emphasis on showcasing up-and-coming artists, along with talented female artists from across the electronic music scene, adding another notable element to the festival’s identity.
On Saturday, September 19, crowds gathered across three stages for DJ sets featuring house music talents including Max Styler b2b Adam Ten, OMRI., and Gabss, alongside rising bass acts such as Levity, Lyny, and Rsun. Day two, Sunday, September 20, brought standout performances from Korolova b2b Innellea, Devault, Dansyn, and Will Clarke, along with special bass headliners GRiZ and Subtronics. The night ultimately closed with a b2b Subjohnics set featuring label boss John Summit himself.
Headlining night one with an extended two-and-a-half-hour solo closing set, John Summit also helped shut down night two alongside Subtronics with a powerful bass-heavy b2b as Subjohnics. Before the shift into the later hours, Summit also delivered a special sunset set. All three performances were equally unique, fast-paced, and meticulously soundtracked by Summit. The main stage was packed and always seemed to feel like home for Summit, who surrounded himself with his Experts Only crew, close friends, and a crowd of roughly 30,000 fans filling the park. Some of Summit’s biggest tracks, including “Shadows,” “Shiver,” and “Where You Are,” along with his remixes of classics such as “Sweet Disposition” and Avicii’s “Seek Bromance,” were made for the masses to sing along to.
Summit opened both of his solo sets with vocal-driven tracks, including “Don’t Believe It” featuring Absolutely, while the OG Summit favorite “Deep End” never fails to get the crowd moving. Backed by striking stage visuals, polished production, lasers, and bursts of pyrotechnics throughout, the immersive experience demonstrated just how much room Experts Only has to expand as its own festival brand.
Closing out the final night with the highly anticipated Subjohnics performance, festival attendees were treated to brand-new music, including an unreleased collaboration, as well as surprise appearances from Level Up and then GRiZ following his main-stage showcase to go back 3 back. By the time the fireworks display commenced, the combination known as GRIZJOHNICS had the island rocking to “Crystallized” in the wild Subtronics remix.
The stylistic peaks throughout the weekend created an inclusive environment spanning house and techno, with a healthy dose of heavy bass for the vibes. Only expert fans know that John Summit isn’t a prisoner to his own style. Bringing good music to the masses remains the goal, and it’s clear that this won’t be stopping anytime soon. Experts Only Festival is set to continue its global tour and, of course, return to New York City next year.