Techno music festival comes to Detroit (notice how often the plight of Detroit is referenced) Story from MLIVE.
Techno godfather and Detroiter Kevin Saunderson is celebrating his 20th year in music with "History Elevate."
If there's a common thread among acts at this year's Movement 2009 Detroit electronic music festival, it's that they want Detroiters to forget about economic uncertainties.
"We don't want no wall flowers," said Afrika Bambaataa during an interview. "We want people to get down and enjoy themselves. There's too much chaos in the world today. When you get to the festival just let it all go and party."
DJ Z-Trip agreed, saying Detroit has been hit so hard that residents could use a festival like this.
• Where: Hart Plaza, Detroit
• When: Saturday-Monday
• Tickets: $30 for an individual day pass, $60 for a weekend pass, $150 for a VIP pass at the gate. Discounted passes can be purchased online at www.wantickets.com. Movement Weekend Passes can also be purchased (cash only) at various locations including: 323 East in Royal Oak; Spectacles in Detroit; and Record Time in Roseville. VIP tickets can also be purchased at 323 East in Royal Oak and Spectacles in Detroit.
• Details: For more information, visit www.livenation.com.
"They definitely could use some relief," said Z-Trip, born Zach Sciacca. "That town has such musical roots. I think that's their escape, to have their sanity and be able to release some of that tension. That's one of the big reasons why I decided to play the festival. Musically, I've always loved what Detroit represents and where it comes from -- from Motown to techno to even some rock stuff, all the Ted Nugents and the Bob Segers. It all represents such big musical talent. To go there and be able to play some stuff and encompass all of those things, it's kind of what I'm about when I play."
Movement has become the ultimate stage for the city that founded techno music to showcase its electronic music muscle. Last year's attendance nearly reached 80,000 over three days on Detroit's Hart Plaza during Memorial Day Weekend, with fans enjoying 36 hours of their favorite electronic music artists and DJs performing on five stages, according to publicist Betty Kang. It was named "Festival of the Year" by the readers of URB Magazine.
The Prodigy will play the official opening party for Movement 2009 at The Fillmore in Detroit on Friday. Chuck Flask, Paxahau resident DJ, and Evan Evolution will be performing in the State Bar. The doors open at 7 p.m.
Afrika Bambaataa has called for people to set aside their troubles and enjoy the festival.
"We really try to put together a lineup that electronic and dance music fans will enjoy," said Jason Huvaere, festival director. "We have a real mix of local, national and international artists performing this year. There is a lot of great talent from the Detroit area. About half of the artists are from Detroit."
Techno godfather and Detroiter Kevin Saunderson said it has become tradition to perform at the Movement festival. He is celebrating his 20th year in music with "History Elevate."
"This general community expects it, you expect it as an artist," Saunderson wrote in an e-mail interview. "It's special how it started and how it evolved. It's gone through many controversial times, but it has survived because of the efforts of our great Detroit artists to keep this thing afloat. It's a chance to play in front of my family, educate people who've never been to the festival or experienced Detroit techno."
Huvaere explained tens of thousands of people will be able to experience Detroit techno this year because the price of weekend passes was set at $30 for an individual day pass, $60 for a weekend pass, $150 for a VIP pass at the gate.
"We are very proud of the fact that even in this tough economy, we were able to keep the weekend passes to Movement moderately priced," Huvaere said. "It's the largest electronic music event in the country and the experience we are able to give music fans is far greater than the price of the ticket. There is no place else where someone can go to see 36 hours of music on four stages being performed by world-renowned musicians at this ticket price.
"The reason we are able to keep the ticket reasonably priced is because all the acts and the vendors work with (organizers) Paxahau to create a great event for Detroit without charging too music, allowing the prices to be lower, so a larger audience is attracted," added Huvaere, who did not want to speculate on attendance figures.
Z-Trip added that it's important to keep the ticket prices reasonable.
"Especially with the economy and, there of all places, you have to come with that kind of prices," he said. "If not, you're not going to get anybody. That place was one of the places that got hit the hardest."
This is probably the music I like least but I'm glad to see fans here. When asked to describe it, one of the organizers said it was about the future. But what that means, I don't know.
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18 comments:
This would probably be interesting. I'm afraid I'm really not a fan of techno music, though. It usually gives me a very sterile feeling.
Me, too. Plus I don't like the way it vibrates through my feet.
I like techno in small doses and would probably enjoy the show.
Electronic dance music...how much derived from the avant garde electronic "art" music of the '50s and '60s? Which in its turn was already exploited, after a fashion, for the soundtracks of the likes of FORBIDDEN PLANET and NIGHT GALLERY...though it should be noted that Louis and Bebe Barron and Gil Melle (respectively) were actual movers and shakers in electronic music...continuing to move laterally, I'm amused that this afternoon the Chiller channel will be running, in the course of repeating TALES OF THE DARKSIDE episodes, in immediate succession the episodes adapting John Cheever's "The Enormous Radio" and Robert Bloch's "Beetles." That vast, vast divide, again. (Perhaps even more amused that Chiller congratulates itself for running a "whole hour" of POLTERGEIST: THE LEGACY, a series that was only produced in hourlong single-story segments...gee, thanks!)
I don't think we get the Chiller Channel. When I hear that music all I can think of is that old skit from SNL.
Which music? Which skit?
Now maybe it wasn't even techno music but I always thought of it as such. It had two guys in it and they would always be sort of bobbing to this sort of music in a dance club. Maybe in the nineties?
I think they always used Night at the Roxbury or something like that.
Tough times.
I hope the festival is fun. I am not actually aware of techno music, but then, I am unaware of so much!!
Terrie
I know it when I hear it, but that's about it. Couldn't tell you a single recording artist or son.
Techno(House Music in Europe) generally like Baroque music of the 17th-18th century has an underlying bass beat. The beat is electronically synthesized and changes in tempo between measures. One thing about it is that any particular tune is rarely able to be played exactly the same way twice as it depends on the interpretation of the moment by the DJ.
On the other hand OK these performers recognize that Detroit is in a looooong slump and all but I am curious which of them played to a non paying crowd?
The only one I've heard doing that is Eminem.
It is interesting how often they mention the economy.
I'm glad for Detroit that it has this festival, even though Techno isn't a genre of music I like too well...
Like David Cranmer, I like techno in small doses. Aphex Twin, one of the early techno groups, had a certain charm. But I find, after a short while, the music gets repetitious and boring. Maybe my favorite techno soundtrack is the music for the old PC game, DOOM. Very atmospheric.
I'll join in with the others and say Techno isn't my cup of tea but generally speaking I enjoy any music festival.
Detroit is one of the claimed birth places of techno. I have an eclectic music collection and have been known to dance part the start of the work day on many occasions in days past. I'm sure there are many acts I'd enjoy, and that I'd be tired in more ways than one by the end.
I'm pleased for Detroit that this festival is occurring; festivals are, by definition, fun and I'm sure the citizens of Motor City could use a night or weekend of fun.
I hope a lot of the money is able to stay in the community.
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