TRANSITIONS Festival: The tracks that shaped 2025 for these artists

As artists prepare to close out 2025 with standout performances at TRANSITIONS Festival in Chicago, we asked them to reflect on the tracks that defined their year.

As 2025 comes to a close, TRANSITIONS arrives as a bold new addition to Chicago’s year-end festival landscape. Presented by Auris Presents, the seven-day event runs from December 26, 2025 through January 1, 2026, transforming Downtown Chicago into a multi-venue New Year’s Week destination. Designed as both a celebration and a moment of reflection, the festival takes its name from Underground Resistance’s influential track ‘Transition,’ embracing the idea of evolution, forward movement, and stepping confidently into what comes next as one year gives way to another.

That philosophy builds on a landmark year for Chicago’s dance music community, following the fifth anniversary of ARC Music Festival and a packed calendar of events across the city. TRANSITIONS extends that momentum through a city-spanning format across venues like Radius, Cermak Hall, Concord Music Hall, SERUM at PRYSM, Smoke & Mirrors, Spybar, and Outset. Across these spaces, more than 70 artists, including Adam Beyer, YOTTO, Chris Lorenzo, Cloonee, Four Tet, Purple Disco Machine, and Ben Klock will guide the city through a week-long transition from 2025 into 2026. As the year winds down, we asked these artists to reflect on the tracks that defined their 2025 and helped set the tone for the next chapter.

Zorza

“For me, ‘Falling’ by Frost Children perfectly blends melancholy and euphoria, instantly taking me back to peak 2010s EDM. I had it on repeat from the day it dropped, and it quickly became part of my touring soundtrack.”

Odymel

“The melody, structure, and mix of ‘All I Need’ by Edo and THŪR are INSANE.”

HNTR

“It was crazy to see people singing ‘gImmE gImmE’ all over the globe. I knew they’d sing ‘Stephanie,’ but I was always shocked to hear ‘gimme some of that, gimme some of that!’”

Azzecca

“The track that defined 2025 for me is ‘Don’t Go Away’ by Demi Riquísimo and The Trip. I’ve played it in almost every set this year. It has the perfect blend of feel-good energy and nostalgia, and it never fails me in a set!”

Kasablanca

“Tame Impala’s ‘Dracula’ marked the return of Kevin Parker, who we’re massive fans of. His songwriting, production, and live shows have had a huge impact on us over the years, and having a new body of work from him is always exciting and deeply inspiring to our creative process.”

Passes for TRANSITIONS are currently available for purchase here. Secure your spot and prepare to celebrate the arrival of 2026 in style! Visit Auris Presents’ Instagram page for event updates. Which artists are you most excited to see this year? View the lineup down below!

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