MOVIN' ON UP (TO DETROIT)
Jul 1, 2006 12:00 PM, Kimberly Chou
The unsatisfied can complain all they want about the Detroit Electronic Music Festival's newly instituted cover charge — which, at $40, is comparatively lower than other national festivals — but anything short of a Paxahau Productions/Beelzebub contract would have been acceptable in exchange for the bikini-worthy weather Memorial Day weekend. Scattered rainstorms have marred past festivities, but only clear skies this year met the locals and techno travelers who flocked to Hart Plaza for the three-day weekend. Officially dubbed Movement: Detroit's Electronic Music Festival (DEMF), the event pushed fat, earth-shaking bass across five stages and through the heart of downtown.
A six-hour tribute to the late J Dilla — featuring DJ Houseshoes, Dabrye and a score of others — moved the crowd by the Pyramid Stage on the waterfront, with the glint of the Renaissance Center behind it. Chris Liebing and Speedy J dropped in a set in support of their recent collaboration record, Collabs 3000: Metalism (Mute, 2005). And the city's adopted Canadian-cum-Berliner son, the lauded Richie Hawtin, returned home to wrap up the revels Monday night.
“I've been coming to [the festival] since this shit started,” mono-named fan Paris declared. Dressed for the weather in a bikini and roller-girl-esque Puma shorts, the Detroit resident echoed the majority of attendees. “I'm just looking to have a good time — it's like Christmas in May.”
While Paris is a local-scene regular, DEMF welcomed a number of not-so-average fans as well. DJ/producer BT — on-deck at Bleu that weekend — was spotted dancing on the steps of the Main Stage with his toddler daughter as Le Petit Orb wound down its Saturday night performance.
The festival has trended toward less Detroit-centric lineups in the past few years, but DEMF originators Carl Craig and Derrick May both came home to play, as did high-tech soul maestro Kevin Saunderson. Highlights such as Saunderson's set made it easier to forget the DEMF troubles of the past few years, including the seemingly continual organizer turnover (DEMF finally settled down with Paxahau for this installment).
“My name is Kevin Saunderson,” announced the man who needed no introduction, “and I need you to get up off your asses and dance!” In Detroit, when Saunderson commands, the crowd obeys.
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