American DJ and producer John Summit has returned to Brazil after two years for a solo show in São Paulo and his festival debut at Rock in Rio.
The electronic artist, who has accumulated over 2.5 billion streams on Spotify, will close out the New Dance Order stage at Rock in Rio on Sunday, September 13.
Speaking to CNN Brasil ahead of his shows, Summit discussed the global expansion of electronic dance music and the changing habits of concertgoers. He said listeners today are more open than ever to exploring music outside their usual comfort zones, an evolution that makes the genre more accessible worldwide.
Set curation and fan connection
Summit explained that he takes an intentional approach to his live performances by tailoring every DJ set to the specific venue, crowd, and surrounding cultural influences. He noted that he enjoys pushing audience expectations and introducing fans to tracks they might not typically choose to listen to.
The DJ reflected on his professional development since his first appearance in Brazil four years ago in 2022. He said touring across different countries and encountering new cultures has shaped his musical career, adding that he has always felt a strong connection to the energy of Brazilian music fans.
Summit also observed that the Brazilian audience has grown and evolved alongside the broader electronic music movement. Now residing in Miami, Florida, he noted that living surrounded by Latin American and Brazilian culture has maintained that strong regional bond for him.
Global festival appearances and new album
The return to South America comes during a milestone year in Summit's international career. In 2026, the Chicago-born producer made his debut on the main stage at Tomorrowland, the flagship electronic dance music festival held annually in Boom, Belgium.
During Tomorrowland, Summit also hosted a showcase for his record label, Experts Only, at the festival's Crystal Garden stage. His summer schedule included his first seasonal DJ residency on the Mediterranean island of Ibiza in Spain, following the April 2026 release of his second studio album, CTRL ESCAPE.
Summit described multi-genre events like Rock in Rio as valuable opportunities to introduce his sound to new audiences. He explained that playing before diverse crowds at major international festivals continues to inform how he crafts his studio tracks and structures his live sets.
São Paulo concert at ARCA
Before heading to Rio de Janeiro, Summit plays a solo concert in São Paulo on Friday, September 11. The marathon eight-hour performance takes place at ARCA, running from 11 p.m. until 7 a.m. the following morning.
The event marks Summit's return to the venue four years after his debut performance there in 2022. ARCA, located at Avenida Manuel Bandeira, 360, in São Paulo's Vila Leopoldina neighborhood, is a large industrial venue widely known for hosting major electronic music events.
The São Paulo date forms part of a wider South American tour for Summit, with additional stops scheduled in Colombia and Argentina. Tickets for the São Paulo show are sold through the Ingresse ticketing platform.
Rock in Rio stage finale
Summit's tour culminates with his Sunday night performance at Rock in Rio, one of the world's largest music festivals. Founded in Rio de Janeiro, the multi-day festival attracts hundreds of thousands of fans across various musical genres.
As the final act on the New Dance Order stage, the festival's dedicated electronic music venue, Summit brings his South American run to a close before continuing his global tour.
