The world is witnessing a new chapter for John Summit. The listener can hear the new Summit (AKA Chicago’s “John Schuster”) not as the binge-crazy carouser circa 2021/22, but as an artist and label boss with the gravitas and experience to entertain a sold-out festival for a 90-minute set or pack a club for twenty-one hours.
And that’s not hyperbole — it’s exactly the Summit model Miami will experience at his Experts Only 21-hour label takeover at Downtown’s Club Space on Tuesday, March 24, and closing out the Ultra Music Festival MainStage on Sunday, March 29, with thousands in attendance and possibly millions streaming. The former showcases the seismic movement of his label; the latter displays him as the emblem of electronic music at large. Both will symbolize a complete picture for Summit and Experts Only.
“For my Ultra set, for example, I usually go with all genres from house, drum and bass, to dubstep, whereas at Club Space, where they are very much known for house and techno, and specifically tech-house, that’s where my roots are as an artist,” Summit tells New Times over Zoom from his Miami residence.
The cinephile that he is, Summit compares Ultra to the big blockbuster film and Space to an A24 indie film — equally important but different in their own ways.
A full background of Summit can be found in New Times’ 2024 feature. In this abridged version, Summit, 31, a native of Naperville, Illinois, was within commuting distance of Chicago’s electronic top brass, such as Derrick Carter, Gene Farris, and Green Velvet, and developed a palate for techno on the one hand. On the other hand, it was at Chicago’s Lollapalooza that he caught a life-changing set by Deadmau5 and witnessed the rise of the headlining DJ.
He started producing music while pursuing a graduate degree in accounting. Once he became an accountant, he would immediately go home to produce music or DJ at a bar after his 9-to-5. In 2019, his employer fired him. “I was showing up late, leaving early, and being a terrible employee. I was mentally fully committed to music,” Summit reflects in his past feature.
Summit’s Miami Move
He came to Miami on a tabula rasa to hone his craft. His debut appearance was at the late Treehouse in South Beach in 2019. He first played at Club Space in 2021, opening for Lee Foss. Club Space kept booking him, allowing him to develop his mastery of marathon sets — headphones over his forehead, playing loud to a packed room, embodying the energy of someone who had truly broken free from their day job to follow their passion. He debuted at Ultra in 2022 at the Resistance Cove Stage and took headliner duties on the Main Stage last year alongside Australia’s Dom Dolla.
This year, however, the Experts Only takeover is less about Summit and more focused on the fruits of the 2024 label, boasting a roster 30 artists strong, filled with collaborations and a full spectrum of sound.
Label takeovers at Space were once more common in its nascent years during the early 2000s, often featuring Mark Knight’s Toolroom Knights and Chus + Ceballos’s Stereo Productions. The club has since relied less on artists from a single vintage. There have been label takeovers across Space’s various rooms — including the Terrace, adjacent room Floyd, and downstairs the Ground — which require power, logistics, and an ability to engage the crowd with diverse offerings, effectively creating a mini-festival experience.
The Ground is famous for its intense techno sound, featuring the likes of Russia’s Vladimir Dubyshkin or Germany’s Helena Hauff. That could clash with the tech-house vibes of the Terrace, where artists like Summit or Marco Carola perform – not to mention the softer house sounds of Floyd’s intimate red room.
The Experts’ Plan
But Experts Only has a concept in place. “The Ground will lean more towards UK Garage, hitting that 130/40 BPM range and an intensity level to match,” Summit explains. The Terrace will feature the classic tech-house sounds from the label’s big names, while Floyd opts for a more minimal/indie dance style. “It’s a flavor for everyone,” Summit assures. “We’ve signed numerous acts over the years, giving us a whole spectrum that allows for diversity. Basically, it allows us to create a mini-festival vibe.” Admission will enable attendees to explore all rooms freely.
The lineup includes headliners like Hot Since 82, Layton Giordani, and Anna, known for her peak-time techno. Tech house artists slated for performance include Ayybo, Broken Hill, Greg, and Max Styler. Garage sounds from MPH, Oppidan, and Rohaan will fill the air, while indie-dance artists will feature duos like Clüb De Combat and SG Lewis. Miami-based talent such as Marte and Milushska will also bring their unique flavors to the event.
Italy’s esteemed selector, DJ Tennis, will not only perform but will also lead a culinary takeover downstairs through his food venture, Munchietown — a nod to his background as a chef. “I like booking one big legend who’ll play records that leave the crowd saying, ‘What the hell is this?,” Summit explains, referencing DJ Tennis’s eclectic style.
Adding an element of intrigue, the lineup features a “mysterious artist,” indicated solely by question marks. Additionally, a merchandise collaboration between Space and Experts Only will be available for purchase, exclusive to the club on that day.
Holt Harmon, co-founder and CEO of Metatone Artist Management, who has represented Summit and Experts Only since its inception, reflects, “The takeover has been high on our to-do list. With John’s home city being Miami and the significance of Space in his development, we’ve always wanted to make this happen. Timing feels perfect now, forming a duality with John’s work at Space and Ultra.”
Experts Only has built an international brand, holding festivals from Vail, Colorado, to an upcoming full club takeover at [UNVRS] in Ibiza this summer.
Harmon adds that with the takeover scheduled for a Tuesday and Summit closing Ultra on Sunday, this could perfectly frame a Summit-filled Miami Music Week. “I have a team dedicated to programming and booking these acts. We strive for a diverse range of sounds,” he explains.
As the Experts Only takeover approaches, anticipation grows, coinciding with Summit’s upcoming album, Ctrl Escape. This project symbolizes his journey from the mundane frustrations of an accountant to a globetrotting DJ, capturing the nuanced challenges of breaking free from constraining expectations. The album will be released on Tax Day, April 15, under Experts Only/Darkroom Records.
Alongside the album, the music video for the single “Lights Go Out” presents a disgruntled Summit in a baggy brown suit, confined to an office chair within a sterile cubicle. As the unsettling vibes echo with outdated phone rings and dial-up modems, the scene transitions into an electrifying dance floor, filled with energy and empowerment.
Even at his peak, Summit felt confined, pressured to repeat a familiar sound until retirement. Social media feedback had become a monthly report card, weighing heavily on his creativity. “I think before I felt very confined to just tech-house, and now I believe I’ve broken out of the ‘cubicle’ of being an artist. I can truly explore,” he states confidently.
Summit has since embraced a healthier routine, stating, “I feel I’ve found my purpose with this all. I can confidently say I will never be an accountant again.” He hints at possibly returning to Miami later this year for an album tour backed by a robust production team.
“Ctrl Escape” partially influences the Ultra/Space decision. Summit will leverage Ultra as a launchpad for singles while Space allows for label artists to experiment with their sounds set to be released throughout the year.
“It was my concept,” he shares about the Experts Only show. My thought process dictates that after a large commercial event, I balance it with a more intimate, non-commercial experience.” He elaborates on the distinction between a “club record” and a “festival record,” highlighting the critical importance of understanding dynamics in music that can enhance or detract from a performance’s energy. Playing club records at a festival can lull listeners, while festival records in clubs might overwhelm them.
Summit stresses the importance of a cohesive team, emphasizing, “We’ve successfully engaged incredible talent. We’re fortunate to have the right people at the right time. Young talent must feel empowered to take charge instead of waiting for their turn.”
This pivotal moment in Summit’s career reflects his ability to transcend sounds and expectations while maintaining a balanced mindset. An evolution is underway, and one doesn’t need to be an expert to see that Summit is poised at the brink of a new milestone.
Experts Only. With DJ Tennis, Hot Since 82, Anna, and more. 11 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, at Club Space, 34 NE 11th St., Miami; clubspace.com . Tickets cost $60 via dice.fm.
Ultra Music Festival 2026. Friday, March 27, through Sunday, March 29, 2026, at Bayfront Park, 301 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; ultramusicfestival.com . Tickets from $539.07 via ultramusicfestival.com
