Words By Stevie Tee
We were going to wait until May to start our coverage of Detroit's Movement Electronic Music Festival, but after Paxahau announced their monstrous final wave of artist additions, we just couldn't resist. The festival started in 2000 to celebrate Detroit's immeasurable contribution to the world of electronic music and focuses heavily on Techno and House music. It is widely agreed that Detroit was the birthplace of Techno with The Belleville Three (Kevin Saunderson, Derrick May, Juan Atkins) usually credited as its pioneers. Even if Techno isn't your favorite genre of electronic music, the impact of this music is still felt today in the electronic music scene. Many consider it to be the genesis of electronic music production and performance as we know it today with DJ sets, Live PA sets, raves, warehouse parties and never ending nights of music. Through years of progress, evolution and struggles, the festival has become one of the most world renowned electronic music festivals in the country.
While the main focus of the festival is Techno, House and Detroit's impact on electronic music, there is plenty to be raving about for those more interested in other sub genres of electronic music. Legendary UK big beat producer Fatboy Slim is among the list of headliners. Monolake, one of the creators of the groundbreaking electronic production software Ableton, will be bringing his special surround sound set to the festival. Considering Detroit is also the home of one of hip-hop's most influential producers, the late J-Dilla, many Dilla inspired artists will also be joining the line up such as Flying Lotus, Daedelus, Hudson Mohawke, Gaslamp Killer and more. Also along the lines of that sound, Dam Funk will be bringing his live group, Master Blazter, to infuse some funk to the hip-hop sound. Beatbox sensation Beardyman will be bringing his voice and looping stations to lay down his one-of-a-kind multi-genre sets. Drum 'n' Bass pioneer Goldie will be making a rare appearance. Speaking of rare appearances, IDM masters Venetian Snares will be playing a Live PA set; now there's something you don't see everyday! Matthew Hawtin and groups like Space Time Continuum will be bringing more ambient vibes to the festival to break from all the fast paced, heavy-hitting dance music acts.
With those names and too many others to list, the festival proves its relevance and its diverse range of electronic music. Since this is still a celebration of Detroit's electronic music, let's take a look at some of the hometown heroes on this line up. Carl Craig will be headlining the main stage one night with a Live PA performance under his alias, 69. Producer/guitarist Marc Houle, who we've previously covered with Magda at the Works back in December, will be dropping one of his Live PA sets at the festival. Another former Detroit resident, groundbreaking producer and Marc Houle's label manager Richie Hawtin will also be performing. They'll be bringing an impressive stable of artists from the M-Nus label.
Seth Troxler, Lee Curtiss, Ryan Crosson and Shaun Reeves make up the supergroup Visionquest. These Detroit artists have created a Live PA production/DJ hybrid setup and their very own label. They will be performing at the festival, as well as an after party at the Old Miami on the last day of the festival. Expect a lot of collaborations at this party as well as other artists from the Visionquest label like Benoit & Sergio and Footprintz. Also, on the more local scale, Detroit Techno Militia has five of their finest performing together at the festival under the name DTM 5x5. These artists and many more will be representing the sounds of techno, house, minimal and other electronic music genres.
With over 100 different artists on the line up, we're only scratching the surface of what Movement Electronic Music Festival will have to offer. We'll be taking a closer look at artists and labels who will be making a big splash at the festival this memorial day weekend. Many different tracks, live sets and youtube videos will be offered up to help get you up to speed on this stellar line up. We will also be keeping you up to date on all different kinds of after parties that keep the music alive at all hours of the day and night in Detroit.
For the full festival line up and information about weekend passes, visit www.paxahau.com/pax5
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