As Memorial Day Weekend draws near, house & techno enthusiasts are embarking on their annual pilgrimage to Detroit for Movement Fest. Listening to techno in its birthplace, alongside other foundational genres from the American heartland is a spiritual experience that's hard to describe.
That's why the 24-year-old festival takes its lineup very seriously. Each year brings top tier selectors to Hart Plaza, who deliver a refined mixture of house, techno, and hip-hop.
With such an amazing ticket this year, narrowing down the "must-see" list is a tough task. That's why Downbeats is here to help with a few names on our schedule.
On that note, did we mention we'll be there with ear plugs in tow this weekend? Make sure to grab a pair from the 6AM booth to enjoy three blissful days of percussive low-end frequencies without getting tinnitus or other unwanted hearing damage.
AceMoMa
Duo AceMo and Moma Ready are rising stars in their own rights. When performing under their collaborative AceMoMa moniker, they're unstoppable. The pair, whose 2019 namesake EP made them ones to watch, pack their sets with sounds reflective of rave culture's queer & foundations—from grooving house & techno, to footwork, Baltimore club, and abstract hip-hop.
Speedy J
Dutch powerhouse Speedy J puts the "speed" in his name. He's earned his stripes as a shaper of modern techno, consistently pushing the envelope with hybrid live sets packed with peak time, yet subtle and layered tunes. Speedy J is a reliable pick for closing out Saturday with enough of an energy boost to head into the afters.
Jayda G
Fewer things are finer than a dose of late afternoon disco and house served up by Ninja Tune alum Jayda G. The DJ/Marine Biologist has one of the most infectious energies in dance music, as evidenced by a sea of smiling faces and bouncing feet at each of her sets. She'll set the tone right at the Stargate stage for the evening to come.
Anané
Leader of the Nulu Movement, Anané's spent decades infusing sounds of her Cape Verdan roots into rhythmic house for a sound today that taps into the spiritual parts of our being. It makes for an ideal soundtrack for the outdoors during the early evening hours. The multitalented songstress is a strong addition to Movement's house roster.
Avalon Emerson
Whether building immensely technical, multicolored soundscapes behind the decks or bagging high praise from Pitchfork with her dream and indie pop debut, Avalon Emerson's natural musicality is undeniable. The Panorama Bar regular cut her teeth on the San Francisco warehouse scene, quickly establishing herself as a world class underground act.
Floating Points
Continuing down the technical tangent, Floating Points is guaranteed to serve up an eclectic mélange of records during his slot at the Waterfront stage. The musician, who doubles as a neuroscientist, knows how to keep his audience deeply engaged during both his live sets and his DJ sets. His twilight hour time slot this year suits him perfectly.
Patrick Mason
Patrick Mason is another one of the top infectious talents in dance music today, carving his own niche by bringing ballroom moves into his high octane techno sets. Expect him to bring this energy into a powerful performance at the Underground stage that effortlessly defies the attitude that one has to look stoic to be considered a "serious" talent.
British Murder Boys
Industrial figureheads Regis and Surgeon have performed together as British Murder Boys for over 21 years now, serving up heady and driving morsels of improvised techno, breaks, and electronica to warehouse and club crowds all over the world. It's always a treat when they bring the project stateside, and a masterclass in live performance.
DJ Minx
A born & raised Detroit legend, DJ Minx has been a beloved Movement staple since its earliest days and is always worth stopping by for a dance. She's known as the "First Lady of Wax" for a reason, using her platform to empower other femme DJs from Detroit through Women on Wax while spreading her talents on vinyl far and wide.