And the beat goes on. And on, and on. My 5th year at Detroit's
Electronic Music Festival was a continuation of what has
become an annual pilgrimage to the birthplace of all modern
dance music. The looming towers of the now bankrupt General
Motors did not cast their long shadows on the sunlit shiny,
happy party people that congregated in Hart Plaza to dance
their hearts (and worries) away. As is the case with most
music festivals, Movement always makes me wish there were
clones of me so I (we) could catch all the music and sounds
that permeate the four sound stages at the venue - the
amphitheater-styled Vitamin Water Main Stage, to the underground
cavern that is the Real Detroit stage, back into
the open at the Beatport tent that spills onto the lawns
around, and the Red Bull stage at river's edge.
During the
course of the three days at Movement, I got to see
some great sets (including live sessions) by Steve Bug, Carl
Cox, Damian Lazarus, Tiefschwarz, Adam Beyer, Marco Carola,
Osunlade, Wighnomy Brothers, Nic Fanciulli, Loco
Dice, Luciano, Carl Craig, Kevin Saunderson, Ellen Allien,
Audion, Bassnectar and Derrick May. Here are a few pictures
that capture the mood, energy and the artists at Movement
2009. Keep looking out for more posts, pictures and an
interview with Steve Bug on Madison Music Review!
Marco Carola and Adam Beyer at the Beatport Stage on Saturday
evening
Adam Beyer brought Scandinavian sensibilities to the
Beatport decks Saturday evening
Damian Lazarus brought more of
the Euro sound to to the Beatport stage on Saturday afternoon,
this time party beats from Islington, London.
Steve Bug bugging out at the Main Stage on Saturday.
Carl Cox wrapping up the first day of the party at the
main stage, Hart Plaza. Though the music never really stops
in Detroit. There were dozens of after-parties (both official
Paxahau Movement parties and others) in several bars and
clubs scattered around Woodward Ave., Michigan Ave., and
downtown. Some great DJ
sets to be heard at these - Ben Sims, Woody McBride, Chris
Grant (from Milwaukee) and more...
Osunlade, musician, producer and priest (yes, he is
an ordained priest of the traditional Yoruba religion of
Ifa from Nigeria and West Africa) had the main stage dancing
to techno-meets-worldbeat. Thoroughly recommended!
Loco Dice vs. Luciano laying tracks through an extended set at the Main Stage on Sunday
Tiefschwarz is the electro-house brother duo Alexander
(Ali) and Sebastian (Basti) Schwarz from Stuttgart, Germany.
Tiefschwarz (or 'deep black' in German) is indeed a fitting
name for their set at the BEatpport stage on Sunday was
funky, deep house at its best.
Wighnomy Brothers are Robag Wruhme and Monkey Maffia (aliases
for Gabor Schablitzki & Soren Bodner - any guesses as to
which one of the brother's is the monkey?)
Carl Craig on Monday evening put on a fine set, setting the tone
for what was to come later that night. No wonder he has been
appointed ambassador for taking Detroit techno to the Movement
Festival in Torino, Italy being held in October this
year. Groove on, Mr Craig!
Kevin Saunderson, one of the original Belleville Three,
sways to the sweet, sweet music at the Main Stage on Monday
night.
Ellen Allien brought her Berlin minimalist sensibilities
to the Beatport stage Monday evening.
Bassnectar at the Red Bull Stage on Monday night.
Bodysurfing to Bassnectar
Audion (Matthew Dear) was on the edge at the
Real Detroit Stage Monday night. What a killer set!
Derrick May, another Detroit institution, wrapped
up Movement 2009 at the Vitamin Water Main Stage
Coming soon - more pictures from individual
artist sets, the other side of Detroit and an interview with
Steve Bug. So keep checking back. Write
to us with your comments and requests for photos. Cheers,
Ankur
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