Detroit’s yearly celebration of techno and electronic culture is fast oncoming and a little over a month away. Truthfully, it has already begun as official Movement pre-parties kicked off April 17. Those will continue over the coming weeks as anticipation builds for this year’s Movement Festival. Over 120 performers from across the world are set to descend upon Hart Plaza for this 3-day event and more will be arriving for performances at various locations throughout the city to celebrate the place from which techno was born over forty years ago. Count me excited and let me share with you some of what draws me to the wonderful city of Detroit and this year’s one-of-a-kind event.
First things first, it’s all about the people. Whenever I travel to Detroit, I’m fortunate to cross paths with wholesome and heartwarming folk. Denizens of Detroit may seem tough, gritty, and hard-nosed on the outside, but once you get to speak with them and gain their experience, you’ll often find friendly and community-oriented souls expressive of the music and culture influencing them throughout their lives. Not just the artists, but everyday citizens who are doing exactly what people from all over the world are doing. Making their way through life’s ups and downs. For many that will be experiencing this year’s event, techno and electronic music is the soundtrack that encourages them to continually push through. It’s a global community and gathering to dance and mingle whenever we are able is among life’s greatest blessings that make it all worthwhile.
A little history about Hart Plaza I’d like to share, it was designed by artist and landscape architect Isamu Noguchi in 1975. Additions have been made through the years like the Horace E. Dodge and Son Memorial Fountain in 1981, Gateway to Freedom Memorial to the Underground Railroad added in 2001, and Arch Sculpture and Michigan Labor Legacy Landmark, Transcending, commemorated in 2003. These monuments serve as meaningful reminders that we progress as a species and push forth together. Hart Plaza serves as a commemoration to the strength of people and is a most fitting location to host a celebration that draws attendees from far and wide.
Back to the action that’s set to unfold over Memorial Day weekend, Hart Plaza will transform to hold six stages each with their own unique identity. Detroit Stage always features a lineup of Detroit based talent, veterans and newcomers alike. This is where you’ll find hitters like Mister Joshooa, Rebecca Goldberg, Lady Witch, and Sillygirlcarmen. The Stargate stage is also markedly Detroit and feels a bit like a street party. Here you’ll find Carl Craig b2b Cajmere, Stacy Pullen, Josh Baker, The Martinez Brothers b2b Eddie Fowlkes, and Ayybo among many other sound-trackers. The Underground Stage is exactly as it suggests and boasts vibes akin to what you’d expect from a pure warehouse party. It’s cool down below Hart Plaza’s main level, though the action is always hot, and this is where you’ll enjoy the likes of Mark Flash, Nastia, Lindsey Herbert, Boys Noize b2b MCR-T, and Mija.
Among the trees and adjacent to the Detroit River, the Waterfront Stage welcomes a variety of electronic disciplines. Funk, Hip-Hop, breakbeats, and much more are all welcome here. If you’re into the sounds of audial architects like AK, Danny Brown, DJ Godfather, Barry Can’t Swim, Heidi Lawden, Beatloaf, and Rudimental, you’ll be right at home at Waterfront. Pyramid Stage is absolutely one of my favorites and features beautiful views of the Detroit River and the city of Windsor, Canada across the channel. It’s set to bump and will have you moving your rump with performances from Claude Vonstroke, Richie Hawtin, Kevin Saunderson, Maceo Plex, DJ Minx, Mochauk, and more. Finally, the Movement main stage is in the Amphitheater where you’ll catch some of the most noteworthy names our burgeoning electronic scene has to offer. We’re talking Sara Landry, Audion Live, Carl Cox, DJ Sphinx, Eli Brown, 69 (aka Carl Craig), Dom Dolla, and Green Velvet to name but a few.
And that my brothers and sisters is only the tip of the proverbial sonic spear for what you can expect from this year’s Movement Festival. There’s so much action set to unfold both inside Hart Plaza and at after-party locations throughout the city. One of my absolute favorites, Odd Mob, is rolling in to town from Australia specifically to headline an after-party event being held at The Magic Stick, and you absolutely know I’ll be sweating face all over that place. Listen here bubs, I just so happen to be a bit of a heavy and happy fella and my body doth perspire when I start moving and grooving. Maybe I should join the Detroit Techno 5k while I’m in town which will feature a finish line DJ party with Jack Beats. Walk? Run? Rave!
If you’d like to learn more about Detroit’s Movement Festival, buy tickets, check out their guides, official events, travel information, and even shop some Movement merch, check out their website at movementfestival.com. As far as city based festivals go, in my experience, no one does it better than Detroit and Paxahau. As many are bound to say throughout Movement weekend, “Detroit Hustles Harder.”
Be well, be successful. Bear Swiftly.
–Electro Scribe
