DJ Jesus Montanez making his debut on the Hydrate Market Days Stage this Sunday
Thu. August 10, 2023 8:24 AM by Ross Forman
jesus montanez
photo credit // provided
‘Chicago is one of my favorite cities in the world. House music has always been my favorite genre, so I feel very special spinning and visiting a city where it all started,’ says Montanez
With 16 years of experience, DJ Jesus Montanez is finally spinning a checkmark off his DJ Bucket List: he is playing on stage Sunday, August 13, at Northalsted Market Days. His set starts at 5:30 p.m., on the ViiV HealthCare Hydrate Stage at Halsted & Cornelia Streets.
“Since I was a very young DJ, I have always dreamed to play on that stage and finally it is happening … I am very excited,” said Montanez, 31, who lives in Guadalajara, Mexico and has DJ residencies in Los Angeles, New York City, Atlanta, Miami, Boston and Hydrate Nightclub in Chicago’s Northalsted neighborhood commonly called Boystown.
“If you are talented and people appreciate the talent, you get to play at Market Days.”
Related: Market Days Weeend events and parties
In 2022, Montanez was spinning inside Hydrate on the Friday night of Market Days weekend. This year, he’s pumped to be playing outside on the Hydrate stage in front of the throng of beer-drinking, sun-worshipping partygoers.
“Market Days is a very special weekend because all the Chicago people go and have fun, and thousands of people come from other countries to enjoy this amazing festival,” said Montanez, who last performed in Chicago in January.
“Chicago is one of my favorite cities in the world. House music has always been my favorite genre, so I feel very special spinning and visiting a city where it all started. The culture, the food and, of course, the people … I have so many good friends who live in Chicago. I always enjoy visiting this beautiful city.
“The people of Chicago are very kind, very cool. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know them, you will make friends everywhere. And the clubs have amazing equipment, great sound systems.”
Montanez said his all-time favorite Chicago performance was his first-ever, a few years ago for SKIN Productions, as well as his debut at Hydrate.
“I consider myself very calm; I love to work and study music all day at home,” Montanez said. “I work every day on my music; I am always producing new songs, doing edits and mashups. I like to prepare a special intro for the party a few days before my shows. I like to organize my music in folders which I will play that night. I like to always bring something special for the weekend.”
When not spinning, Montanez said he enjoys home time, time with his family and pets. He’s a daily gym rat and loves to travel.
NOW SPINNING … DJ JESUS MONTANEZ
Favorite DJs: Mark Knight, Roger Sanchez, DJ Chus, Purple Disco Machine
Favorite Chicago Tourist Destination: “I love to walk around the Millenium Park and the Chicago Riverwalk.”
Airplanes, Aisle or Window Seats: Window
On Airplanes: “I always try to sleep and relax, but if I can’t, I like to put my headphones on and listen to music.”
Dream Vacation Destination: Norway, Iceland and Japan.
Superstitions: Fingers crossed
Little-Known Fact: “When I was a child, I was very religious and my best friend was a priest, and he was the one who motivated me to follow my dreams of being a DJ.”
Follow Jesus Montanez on Instagram. Listen to Jesus Montanez on SoundCloud.
Related: Meet the DJs bringing the music to Market Days Weekend
Chicago's LGBTQ calendar is on GoPride.com
“Since I was a very young DJ, I have always dreamed to play on that stage and finally it is happening … I am very excited,” said Montanez, 31, who lives in Guadalajara, Mexico and has DJ residencies in Los Angeles, New York City, Atlanta, Miami, Boston and Hydrate Nightclub in Chicago’s Northalsted neighborhood commonly called Boystown.
“If you are talented and people appreciate the talent, you get to play at Market Days.”
Related: Market Days Weeend events and parties
In 2022, Montanez was spinning inside Hydrate on the Friday night of Market Days weekend. This year, he’s pumped to be playing outside on the Hydrate stage in front of the throng of beer-drinking, sun-worshipping partygoers.
“Market Days is a very special weekend because all the Chicago people go and have fun, and thousands of people come from other countries to enjoy this amazing festival,” said Montanez, who last performed in Chicago in January.
“Chicago is one of my favorite cities in the world. House music has always been my favorite genre, so I feel very special spinning and visiting a city where it all started. The culture, the food and, of course, the people … I have so many good friends who live in Chicago. I always enjoy visiting this beautiful city.
“The people of Chicago are very kind, very cool. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know them, you will make friends everywhere. And the clubs have amazing equipment, great sound systems.”
Montanez said his all-time favorite Chicago performance was his first-ever, a few years ago for SKIN Productions, as well as his debut at Hydrate.
“I consider myself very calm; I love to work and study music all day at home,” Montanez said. “I work every day on my music; I am always producing new songs, doing edits and mashups. I like to prepare a special intro for the party a few days before my shows. I like to organize my music in folders which I will play that night. I like to always bring something special for the weekend.”
When not spinning, Montanez said he enjoys home time, time with his family and pets. He’s a daily gym rat and loves to travel.
NOW SPINNING … DJ JESUS MONTANEZ
Favorite DJs: Mark Knight, Roger Sanchez, DJ Chus, Purple Disco Machine
Favorite Chicago Tourist Destination: “I love to walk around the Millenium Park and the Chicago Riverwalk.”
Airplanes, Aisle or Window Seats: Window
On Airplanes: “I always try to sleep and relax, but if I can’t, I like to put my headphones on and listen to music.”
Dream Vacation Destination: Norway, Iceland and Japan.
Superstitions: Fingers crossed
Little-Known Fact: “When I was a child, I was very religious and my best friend was a priest, and he was the one who motivated me to follow my dreams of being a DJ.”
Follow Jesus Montanez on Instagram. Listen to Jesus Montanez on SoundCloud.
Related: Meet the DJs bringing the music to Market Days Weekend
Chicago's LGBTQ calendar is on GoPride.com