Movement 2010… Another Great DEMF!

Once again, our crew migrated to Detroit to enjoy one of the best music festivals in the country: Movement (aka the Detroit Electronic Music Festival).  Held annually over the Memorial Day weekend in the city where techno music was founded, this was its 10th anniversary, and techno fans from around the world came to Detroit to celebrate it.

Detroit’s Hart Plaza is  a beautiful venue for this event, and Paxahau (the producers) always provide fantastic sound systems.  Five stages in close proximity – but with really good sound separation –  allow you to easily check what’s happening and find what moves you the most. And if you were prudent enough to buy early-bird tickets, it cost only $40 for three days and 100 artists.  There is no better deal anywhere.

Highlights for me were:

Plastikman – I’ve seen Richie Hawtin a number of times, but this was my first live “Plastikman” experience.  Minimal techno.  Maximum visuals. You can check out the video, but you really had to be there.

Derrick Carter – one of the legends of Chicago House, Derrick played a red hot set on the Main Stage.  It was fun for me to see 25,000 people dancing to his mix, and recall his 2008 appearance at the Majestic Theater in Madison.  Needless to say, the energy was high.

Derrick May – one of the godfathers, he brought it hard to the intimate Torino stage – swiping the vinyl across his shirt, before slapping it down on the platter and mixing it up.  This set was a thriller for me.

Kyle Hall – aptly described as an “18-year-old wunderkind,” Kyle has been spinning in Detroit since age 11.  This was one of those sets that I happened upon… and then didn’t want to leave.

Martin Buttrich – my favorite Beatport set this year… and that stage is always great.  First thing I did on my return was download his most recent release – Crash Test –  from Beatport.

Scion – While all the young men were falling in love with Ida Engberg, I fell in love with the  atmospheric soundscapes created by German artists Rene Lowe and Peter Kuschnereit. They took advantage of the incredible Main Stage sound system to show off the acoustics of the bowl.  It was hot and sunny, and I kicked back and drank it all in. Very psychedelic, just how I like it.

Marco Carola – I was really looking forward to the DrumCode after-party, featuring Adam Beyer, Marco Carola, Ida Engberg and others.  We got there for an amazing, red hot set by Marco Carola.  The club was packed – probably too packed – and grooving hard.  Unfortunately the party was shut down after Carola’s set, so I was one of many that left disappointed to miss Adam Beyer!

Stacey Pullen –  Despite the rain Monday night, I found myself pulled with many others to the Main Stage dance floor by Stacey’s groovy beats.  Dancing together through this set –  with a cool and comfortable drizzle throughout – was very very fun.

DJ Sneak – There is so much talent at DEMF that its really helpful when a friend says “ya gotta catch” someone in particular.  Bryon pointed me to DJ Sneak, and I was really pleased to catch this Chicago House giant.  Carlos Sosa – aka DJ Sneak – is a big man and he does look like “the House Gangster.” But he mixes and grooves like a lover, not a fighter. I love house music, and this set was terrific.

Photos: Ankur Malhotra