Over this past Memorial Holiday weekend, I had the amazing opportunity to attend the Movement Electronic Music Festival at Hart Plaza in Detroit.  The festival, which took place Saturday-Monday (May 29-31), made for an interesting 36-hour dance party that featured the most recognizable local and international names in electronic music industry.

The Movement Electronic Music Festival or DEMF also celebrated a la grand its 10th year anniversary with an exceptional performance by the three founders of Detroit techno—Juan Atkins (aka Model 500), Kevin Saunderson’s (known for his collaboration Inner City), and Derrick May, who were collectively known as The Belleville Three.  This year’s celebration also included live performances by some of my favorites: Richie Hawtin (aka Plastikman), Paco Osuna, Cassy, Chris Liebing, Stacey Pullen, Marco Carola, Ida Engberg.

DEMF was organized around five different stages.  One of the highlights of the festival had to be the live performance and interactive show Richie Hawtin delivered at the Vitamin Water Main Stage Saturday night.  An audio, visual, and physical performance in which he took us to a totally different level of electronic music.  Hawtin also performed at the Beatport Stage, where he stepped in for Ricardo Villalobos, who was unfortunately not able to make the festival.  His incredible live performance at Beatport Stage wove an electric experience for his dancing, sweaty fans.

Another excellent live performance was by four extraordinary female artists at the Made in Detroit Stage included Jenny Lafemme, Punisher, Jen Xerri, Minx and Magda, in which all five ladies had the crowd pumped for their music that exhibited their talent and skills at the turntables.  It was excellent idea for the organizers to dedicate a full day to four extraordinary female DJs.

An interesting performance by Excision at the Red Bull Music Academy Stage introduced me to the Dubstep genre, which appears to be very popular among younger fans.  Dubstep has its roots in London’s darker garage scene since the 2000s.  Also known as 2-step, it is mostly instrumental and offers elements of drum and bass with a touch of dub-influenced techno.  A kind of weird, spontaneous experience for me, Excision definitely had its followers jamming to the dark dubstep mix he had prepared for the festival.

At Movement Torino Stage, fans truly enjoyed DJ sets performed by popular names like Orlando Voom, Marco Carola, Derrick May, I-Robots and Stefano Fontana among others.  What I truly enjoyed about Movement Torino Stage is the feeling of a clubbing scene held outdoors almost as if at a private backyard party with the most amazing house, dance, and techno global DJs—a fabulously extraordinary experience.

It is not surprise that over 95,000 people attended this year’s DEMF—a 15% increase from last year.  Although it has experienced its ups and downs since its inception in 2000, the DEMF makes it clear about the popularity of today’s electronic music.  It has inspired organizers from all over the world to continue the electronic movement not only in Detroit but also around the globe.

An extravagant celebration of electronic music took place in our wonderful city of Detroit.  It has also marked an incredible 10th anniversary in which every single artist has truly shared their talents and skills with all the organizers and people involved who have made this weekend a reality.