Detroit’s Movement celebrated it’s 20th year on Memorial Day weekend May 25th- May 27th. This year the festival featured a predominately female lineup and celebrated the history and sounds of techno on Detroit’s riverfront Hart Plaza.
This was my first Techno Christmas and it was far from being my last. The lineup satisfied my every need from the acid techno of Charlotte De Witte to the dance party that was Chris Lake yet it made me ache for more.
And on the first day of Techno Christmas my true love gave to me…
The 5 stages of Movement
Five stages each with their own personality, festival goers could easily find something to their liking and learn why the festival is called Movement. Upon arrival the Stargate stage was first met. The stage was set with the Detroit city skyline in frame of the 63 foot mixed metal sculpture Transcendence that towered above the crowd. This stage featured Seth Troxler, Detriot’s own Dj Minx, and a dance party on the final night with J. Phlip, Chris Lake, and Hot Since 82, in that order.
At the focal point of Hart Plaza was the Horace E. Dodge and Son Memorial Fountain. The Fountain was a common photo opportunity for attendees when en route to the next destination and more importantly an overshadowing reminder of the history of the industrial capital.
The Pyramid Stage was picturesque alongside the riverfront with the Canadian border in the distance. Attendees were able to overlook the stage as it had steep steps to create a tiered viewing platform. Artists such as Anna, Maya Jane Coles, Nastia, Richie Hawtin, and Art Department could be heard here.
The final night of the festival it had rain poured mercilessly as Stephan Bodzin closed the Stargate stage with an awe inspiring live set. Dedicated fans held a tarp over Bodzin and the equipment for the majority of the hour and a half set. They withstood the nonstop rain that came down in sheets despite sore arms and drenched clothing.
The Redbull Stage welcomed diversity and showcased styles such as breakbeats, hip hop, and ghettotech with artists such as Gucci Mane, Channel Tres, and Yaeji to encourage the creative atmosphere. Circles were formed on the dance floor to make room for dancers of all ages. There was synergy.
In the amphitheater, The Movement Stage was where some of the biggest names were to be found. Amelie Lens, Charlotte De Witte, MK, Orbital (live set), Get Real (Claude Vonstroke & Green Velvet) and Griz (live set) provided a soundtrack to celebrate the love, history, and passion of music.
Hidden underneath the festival, concrete ramps sketched with chalk graffiti guided the way to Movement’s most secluded stage, the Resident Underground Advisor Stage. The lasers bounced off the cement walls and complimented the dark industrial atmosphere as the acid techno echoed throughout the space. It was Techno Christmas.
By the last day my feet endured 4 nights of walking and non stop dancing around Detroit. The pre parties and the after parties were some of the most unique curated spaces I had encountered overflowing with positive energy. I highly recommend going without an itinerary and allowing yourself to become acquainted with the sounds and people of Detroit.
See you in 2020
Tickets for next year are anticipated to go live in October for early bird with loyalty codes possibly being sent out earlier. I strongly urge you to consider Movement for 2020 even if you aren’t a techno fan, I promise by the end you will be.
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Social Media Manager, Anissa Martinez