# What this festival is and why it changed John Summit's Experts Only Festival returns to Randall's Island Park on September 19–20, 2026. The 2025 debut sold out and drew more than 50,000 fans. For year two, production expands across three stages and Summit curates a mixed bill spanning house, bass, techno, and indie dance. Summit will perform solo and as SUBJOHNICS (B2B with Subtronics).
# Five artists worth prioritizing Below are concise, practical descriptions of five standout acts on the lineup, with what their sets usually deliver and where they fit in a festival day.
Rohaan — unpredictable bass hybrids
Rohaan blends drum & bass, deep dubstep, grime, and experimental hybrids. His debut album Bleach earned UKF Artist and Album of the Year honors. Releases on HARD, VISION, Hospital, Deadbeats, and his OVAL label show intricate percussion and heavy but nuanced low-end. Expect dynamic, unpredictable sets focused on texture and pressure—good picks for bass-leaning slots where variety and surprise matter.
LYNY — crafted low-end and festival-ready drops
Partiboi69 — high-energy, chaotic party sets
Melbourne's Partiboi69 brings aggressive electro, techno, and "ghetto freak" vibes with a playful, in-your-face persona. Known for Boiler Room appearances and rapid edits, his performances emphasize attitude and crowd interaction. Expect sharp transitions, irreverent energy, and party-starting aggression—best for late-night or high-octane outdoor stages where chaos is the point.
GRiZ — sax-driven future-funk with live energy
Jackie Hollander — tech-house energy for daytime and sunset
A Bay Area-to-L.A. rising name, Jackie Hollander has releases on Nervous, REALM, Experts Only, and Insomniac imprints. Tracks like "All My Friends Are Hot," "High on You," and "You Go I Go" show driving, exuberant grooves. Billboard listed her as a Dance Up-and-Comer. Her sets bring rolling basslines and steady momentum—ideal for daytime-to-sunset slots or smaller, more intimate stages.
# How to plan a day
- Prioritize bass-leaning acts like Rohaan or LYNY if you want low-end intensity.
- Slot GRiZ for a mid-afternoon or early evening uplift when you prefer a groovy, live feel.
- Save Partiboi69 for late-night—his chaotic energy lands best when the crowd wants an aggressive party.
- Catch Jackie Hollander for transition slots between day and night or for more melodic, club-focused moments.
# Tickets and lineup notes Tickets remain on sale but the festival sold out in its debut year, so availability may be limited. The lineup includes additional names across house, techno, bass, and indie-dance, and some brand partners and B2B sets are part of the weekend programming.