“Movement 2009 was an overwhelming success on so many levels,” said festival producer Jason Huvaere. “People loved the lineup of performances we were able to put together this year. Our sponsors and vendors really stepped up this year despite the tough economy. The recycling program surpassed last year’s totals for collected items. And we had great weather the entire weekend, which definitely contributed to the record breaking turnout.”

Carl Craig Becomes Movement 2010 Creative Director

The announcement of Techno Music legend Carl Craig being named Creative Director for Movement 2010 dominated much of the conversation on blogs and among groups of festival-goers.

“We have received nothing but positive feedback from the announcement about Carl,” said Huvaere. “His involvement will strengthen the future of the Movement festival in Detroit.”

Craig will be involved in various creative aspects of Movement and serve as an ambassador for the Movement festival as he travels the world.

Detroit Electronic Music Fans Recycle 4 Tons Of Trash

Electronic Music fans in attendance at Movement 2009 proved to be an environmentally-friendly group. Four tons or 8,000 pounds of recyclable materials were collected over the course of the three-day festival. This year’s total surpassed 2008 totals by 5,000 pounds.

Paxahau partnered again with Recycle Detroit, a non-profit organization founded by Detroiter Sarah Kubik. The non-profit had a team of 100 volunteers, utilized 40 recycling stations and successfully convinced nearly 2,500 people to commit to be more environmentally conscious.

“We were very pleased to have Sarah and her Recycle Detroit volunteers be apart of Movement again this year,” said Huvaere. “They have single-handedly taken the festival’s recycling program to the next level. Recycle Detroit is a great organization.”

Image: Rev Voodoo

This is a selection of photos from the Detroit Electronic Music Festival DEMF, Movement 2009.

Photos from days 2 and 3 below.

Movement 2009 Detroit Electronic Music Festival Day 2

Movement 2009 Detroit Electronic Music Festival Day 3

via Shane Glenn

“Movement is already a great festival and a successful brand,” says Craig, “it is an honor to be involved with Movement in this new capacity.”

Craig will be involved in various creative aspects of Movement including artist bookings and the festival’s brand image. He will also serve as an ambassador for the Movement festival as he travels the globe performing for throngs of electronic music enthusiasts.

“Detroit is such a wonderful music town,” Craig continued. “With Movement we have such a great opportunity to remind people from around the world and those that are right here in our own backyard that electronic music in Detroit is very powerful and that our annual festival is the best stage for showcasing the most talented artists of this musical genre.”

The annual Memorial Day Weekend festival has gone through several reincarnations since its beginning in 2000. Paxahau earned the right in 2006 to produce the festival.  Paxahau is credited with bringing financial stability to the festival, but some feel they’ve whitewashed the Detroit electronic music festival in the process.

Movement 2009, the Detroit Electronic Music Festival, kicks off this weekend, and promises to be a blast for fans of electronic music.

Last year’s attendance reached close to 80,000 over three days at Detroit’s Hart Plaza, and this year’s attendance could be even higher, with some big names like Carl Craig & The Prodigy on the lineup.

DJ Count Zero raises some interesting questions about the state of the Detroit Electronic Music Festival, though, in the hands of concert producers Paxahau:

The population of the city of Detroit, Michigan is 80% black, 12% white.  Now, granted, it would probably be unrealistic for the ratio of white to black artists at the festival to ever approach the population figures, but you’d think that the idea would be to represent the character of the city pretty closely, right?  Well, for the first few years that was the case:

Year    % Black
2000    58.73%
2001    48.68%
2002    66.18%
2003    45.57%
2004    37.70%
2005    52.69%
2006    21.43%
2007    27.71%
2008    24.47%
2009    32.88%

From 200-2005 the percentage of black performers at DEMF never dipped below 37%, and usually was above 50%.  In 2006, though, something happened.  Paxahau took over the event and the number of black performers dropped dramatically, to 21%!  Why?  That same year the percentage of Detroit area performers dropped too, from 62% in ‘05 to 33% in ‘06!

What possible excuse could Paxahau have to take what was a succesful event regardless of who was in charge and turn it into a homogenous rave party with so little Detroit flavor?

Paxahau’s “excuse” is pretty clear.

They took a event that was financially failing and turned it around by featuring more and more mainstream electronic music artists, who are less a reflection of Detroit’s make up or music than a reflection of the world of popular electronic music.

DJ Count Zero makes a valid point, though – that Movement’s success comes at the price of an event that’s less black, less a reflection of Detroit, and, arguably, less unique in the world of electronic music.

For its part, Paxahau has announced that Carl Craig will be the creative director of the Movement 2010 Festival.

What do you think? What’s more important to the Detroit Electronic Music Festival – the Detroit, or the Electronic Music?

Detroit electronic music festival organizers Paxahau and 323East have announced a limited edition Movement 2009 poster, created by rock concert poster artist Mark Arminski.

Each psychedelic print depicts eight crazy-haired heads wearing green-lens eyeglasses surrounding an Old English D. The four color image has been silk screened on an 18 x 19 piece of cotton rag. Each print has been signed and numbered by Arminiski. Prints can be purchased at 323east.com for $40 plus shipping and handling.

About Mark Arminski

Considered a leader in the new school of rock ‘n’ roll posters, Mark Arminski has painted the landscape of Detroit and beyond with his signature pieces of concert art. His first commissioned poster work was in the form of silk screens for Iggy Pop and the Smashing Pumpkins. Arminski is notable for bridging the gap between the psychedelic art of the 1960s and the grunge aesthetic of the early 1990s, and he has emerged as a genuine equal among his own mentors. While much of his work was originally found in and around Michigan, he has designed concert posters for events in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, and he is regularly commissioned to design CD cover art. Arminski continues to have great influence among poster artists and his rich eye-popping designs have expanded beyond print media to body art and murals.

Concert promoters Paxahau have announced dates for Movement 2009, the Detroit Electronic Music Festival – May 23rd-25th 2009, at Hart Plaza in Detroit, MI.

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 and was named “Festival of the Year” by the readers of URB Magazine.

The Prodigy Invades Movement 2009

The Prodigy will play the official opening party for Movement 2009 at The Fillmore in Detroit on Friday, May 22. Chuck Flask, Paxahau Resident DJ and Evan Evolution will be performing in the State Bar. The doors open at 7 p.m. Early bird tickets for this all ages show are available starting at $20 by visiting www.livenation.com. VIP tickets are available.

“Every year our goal is to build upon the success of the previous year by bringing the best available local, national and international talent to Detroit in order to create a weekend experience unlike any other in the World,” said Jason Huvaere, president of Paxahau. “Our team spends a lot of time selecting artist and DJs that will appeal to electronic music enthusiasts. This year there will be a major Detroit presence at the festival as well as some performers that rarely set foot on stage in the United States.”

An alphabetical listing of Movement 2009 Artists confirmed to date is as follows:

Adam Beyer
Adultnapper
Afrika Bambaataa
Al Ester
Anthony Attalla
Anthony Rother (Live)
Audion (Live)
Bad Boy Bill
Bassnectar
Benga
Benny Benassi
Busy P
Buzz Goree
Carl Cox
Carl Craig
Chloe Harris
Chuck Gibson a.k.a. Perception (Live)
Clark Warner
Craig Gonzalez
Damian Lazarus
Delano Smith
Dennis Ferrer
Derrick May
DJ Deeon
DJ Godfather
DJ Omega
DJ Slugo
Drumcell (Live)
Ellen Allien
Exchange Bureau (Live)
Flying Lotus (Live)
Francois K
Frankie Vega
Guy Gerber (Live)
Heidi
Innervisions Live: a critical mass (Live)
Jay Denham
Kate Simko (Live)
Kero (Live)
Kevin Reynolds (Live)
Kevin Saunderson
Krazy Baldhead (Live)
Lee Curtiss
Liz Copeland
Loco Dice vs. Luciano
Los Hermanos (Live)
Luke Hess (Live)
Lusine
Marc “MK” Kinchen & Scotty Deep (Live)
Marco Carola
Mieka du Franx
Mike Clark
Mike Huckaby
Neil Landstrumm (Live)
Nic Fanciulli
Nikola Baytala
Norm Talley
Octave One (Live)
Osunlade
Rick Wade
RJD2
Ryan Elliott
Seoul vs Linder 2×4
Seth Troxler
Shaun Reeves
Starski & Clutch
Steve Bug
The Glitch Mob (Live)
The Sight Below
Tiefschwarz
Tiga
Wighnomy Bros
Will Web
Z-Trip

Weekend Passes for Movement 2009

Discount presale Movement 2009 weekend passes are available for purchase at www.Paxahau.com for $40. The weekend passes give electronic music fans access to the festival from 12 noon to 12 midnight on May 23, 24, and 25, 2009.

Berlin is the undisputed center of electronic music. A few times a month friends and blog readers come to visit. I’ve decided to make a Google Map with the locations of many of the great record stores, labels, synthesizer manufacturers, audio software companies and nightclubs you can check out upon arrival.

Ableton, Tresor, Hard Wax, Native Intruments, Schneider’s Buero, Neumann, MFB, Gigolo Records, Berghain, JoMoX, Sugar Bytes, BPitch Control, SoundCloud… what more do you want?

Here a list of the places mapped:
Ableton Headquarters
Schönhauser Allee 6-7 10119 Berlin, Germany 030 288763-0 more info »
Schönhauser Allee 6-7
10119 Berlin, Germany
030 288763-0

Adam Professional Audio – Speakers
Ederstraße 16 12059 Berlin, Germany
Ederstraße 16
12059 Berlin, Germany

Berghain – Nightclub
Am Wriezener Bahnhof 10243 Berlin, Germany
Am Wriezener Bahnhof
10243 Berlin, Germany

BPitch Control GmbH
Oranienburger Str. 91 10178 Berlin, Germany more info »
Oranienburger Str. 91
10178 Berlin, Germany

Cab Clonk Artist Booking gmbh
Gaudystraße 26 10437 Berlin, Germany
Gaudystraße 26
10437 Berlin, Germany

Calyx Mastering
im Viktoriaquartier Sixtusgarten 6, 10965 Berlin, Germany 030 6933170 more info »
im Viktoriaquartier
Sixtusgarten 6, 10965 Berlin, Germany
030 6933170

City Sound Pro – Pro Audio Shop
Oranienstr. 6 10997 Berlin, Germany 030 6124077 more info »
Oranienstr. 6
10997 Berlin, Germany
030 6124077

Das Drehmoment – Label & Shop
Schliemannstraße 21 10437 Berlin, Germany
Schliemannstraße 21
10437 Berlin, Germany

Delicious Doughnuts Research – Club/Bar
Rosenthaler Str. 9 10119 Berlin, Germany 030 2833021 more info »
Rosenthaler Str. 9
10119 Berlin, Germany
030 2833021

Dubplates & Mastering
2. Hinterhof / Aufgang B Paul-Lincke-Ufer 44a, 10999 Berlin, Germany 030 61130555 more info »
2. Hinterhof / Aufgang B
Paul-Lincke-Ufer 44a, 10999 Berlin, Germany
030 61130555

Get Physical Music GmbH
Milastr. 2 10437 Berlin, Germany +49 30 4403328-0 more info »
Milastr. 2
10437 Berlin, Germany
+49 30 4403328-0

Gostimirovi? Music Management – Booking Agency
Brunnenstraße 7 10119 Berlin, Germany
Brunnenstraße 7
10119 Berlin, Germany

Gravis – Apple Store
Ernst-Reuter-Platz 9 / 10 10587 Berlin, Germany 030 39022333 more info »
Ernst-Reuter-Platz 9 / 10
10587 Berlin, Germany
030 39022333

Handle with Care – Vinyl Manufacturer
Greifswalder Straße 29 10405 Berlin, Germany
Greifswalder Straße 29
10405 Berlin, Germany

Hard Wax eK – Record Shop
Paul-Lincke-Ufer 44A 10999 Berlin, Germany 030 61130111 more info »
Paul-Lincke-Ufer 44A
10999 Berlin, Germany
030 61130111

International Dee Jay Gigolo Records and Publishing GmbH & Co. KG
Rolandufer 13 10179 Berlin, Germany more info »
Rolandufer 13
10179 Berlin, Germany

JoMoX Headquarters
Körtestr. 10 10967 Berlin, Germany 030 61702573 more info »
Körtestr. 10
10967 Berlin, Germany
030 61702573

K17 – Goth/EBM Club
Pettenkoferstraße 17 10247 Berlin, Germany
Pettenkoferstraße 17
10247 Berlin, Germany

Kit Kat Club – S&M Afterhours Club
Köpenicker Straße 76 10179 Berlin, Germany
Köpenicker Straße 76
10179 Berlin, Germany

Magnet Music – Booking Agency
Anklamer Straße 38 10115 Berlin, Germany
Anklamer Straße 38
10115 Berlin, Germany

Man Made Mastering
Lobeckstraße 30 10969 Berlin, Germany
Lobeckstraße 30
10969 Berlin, Germany

Maria am Ostbahnhof – Nightclub
Stralauer Allee 34 10245 Friedrichshain, Berlin, Germany 030 21238190 more info »
Stralauer Allee 34
10245 Friedrichshain, Berlin, Germany
030 21238190

MDM Mutualism -Distribution & More GmbH
Heckmannufer 6a 10997 Berlin, Germany more info »
Heckmannufer 6a
10997 Berlin, Germany

Meltingpoint Record Store
Kastanienallee 55 10119 Berlin, Germany
Kastanienallee 55
10119 Berlin, Germany

MFB Fricke – Synthesizer Manufacturer
Neue Str. 13 14163 Berlin, Germany 030 8015652 more info »
Neue Str. 13
14163 Berlin, Germany
030 8015652

Musikinstrumente & Design – Vintage Gear Shop
Schönhauser Allee 28 10435 Berlin, Germany 030 44033623 more info »
Schönhauser Allee 28
10435 Berlin, Germany
030 44033623

Native Instruments Headquarters
Schlesische Str. 28 10997 Berlin, Germany 030 6110350 more info »
Schlesische Str. 28
10997 Berlin, Germany
030 6110350

Neumann Microphones
Ollenhauerstr. 98 13403 Berlin, Germany 030 417724-0 more info »
Ollenhauerstr. 98
13403 Berlin, Germany
030 417724-0

Out of Line – EBM Record Shop
Lychener Straße 18 10437 Berlin, Germany
Lychener Straße 18
10437 Berlin, Germany

Rotation Records – Record Store
Weinbergsweg 3 10119 Mitte, Berlin, Germany 030 25329116 more info »
Weinbergsweg 3
10119 Mitte, Berlin, Germany
030 25329116

Sage Club
Brückenstr. 1 10179 Berlin, Germany +49 30 27591080 more info »
Brückenstr. 1
10179 Berlin, Germany
+49 30 27591080

Schneiders Büro – Synthesizer Shop
Alexanderplatz 5 10178 Berlin, Germany 030 97894131 more info »
Alexanderplatz 5
10178 Berlin, Germany
030 97894131

SO 36 – Club
Oranienstr. 190 10999 Berlin, Germany 030 61401306 more info »
Oranienstr. 190
10999 Berlin, Germany
030 61401306

Sound & Drumland – Pro Audio Shop
Knaackstr. 97 10435 Berlin, Germany 030 88775500 more info »
Knaackstr. 97
10435 Berlin, Germany
030 88775500

SoundCloud
Auguststraße 5 10117 Berlin, Germany
Auguststraße 5
10117 Berlin, Germany

Spacehall Recordstore
Zossener Straße 33 10961 Berlin, Germany http://www.space-hall.de/
Zossener Straße 33
10961 Berlin, Germany

http://www.space-hall.de/

Sugar Bytes
Greifswalder Straße 220 10405 Berlin, Germany Makers of Effectrix
Greifswalder Straße 220
10405 Berlin, Germany

Makers of Effectrix

Tresor Berlin GmbH
Wrangelstr. 20 10997 Berlin, Germany +49 30 695377-0 more info »
Wrangelstr. 20
10997 Berlin, Germany
+49 30 695377-0

Trixx Studios – Recording Studios
Prinzessinnenstraße 10969 Berlin, Germany http://www.trixx-studio.de/
Prinzessinnenstraße
10969 Berlin, Germany

http://www.trixx-studio.de/

Watergate – Nightclub
Reichenberger Straße 84 10999 Berlin, Germany
Reichenberger Straße 84
10999 Berlin, Germany

Weekend Club – Nightclub
Alexanderplatz 5 10178 Berlin, Germany

One of the interesting stories to come out of this year’s Movement 08 is the story of Grandma Techno, Patricia Lay-Dorsey.

She’s not a biological grandma – though she looks the part. She’s in her 60’s, gets around in a mobility scooter – and she rocks. She’s a social activist, a blogger, an artist, she’s got an awesome tattoo – and she loves that techno music.

“They call me Grandma Techno,” she explains. “I’ve been coming to this festival every year since the beginning, and I love the music—it’s just fantastic.”

Here’s Grandma Techno’s poetic take about the Detroit Electronic Music Festival & electronic music:

Electronic music belongs to the shadowland of dreams. That’s why the Underground Stage at Movement ‘08 in Detroit was pulsing with life day and night. Lights of blue, magenta, green and red colored all the same, a rainbow of humanity joined by the thumping bass beat of our hearts.

On her blog, she wrote about her experiences at Movement 07:

If you’re a fan of electronic music you’ll know what I mean when I say these DJs mix it up like magicians behind the decks. But if you don’t know the difference between house and techno, or to be more specific, how slamming, dark, minimal, futuristic, soulful, funky, hooky and ambient electronic music sounds, just trust me–it’s ALL great to dance to. With that pounding bass beat, you pretty much trance out, at least I do.

And there was something else that made me trance out yesterday, and that was the LOVE that these thousands of young folks poured out on this white-haired, scooter-riding woman they call “Grandma.” It was bizarre! I was a mini-celebrity. Many of them remembered me from last year. Said they’d danced with me, had taken pictures of me, admired me, wanted to be like me when they got to be grannies, etc. One fellow even said, “You’re the coolest chick here!”

So more pictures were taken, most with starry-eyed boys and girls with their arms around me. I was showered with gifts–3 bracelets, 1 necklace, 1 t-shirt, 1 authentic-dj-gear.com waterproof bag, untold numbers of kisses, hugs and I-love-you’s. Every time I needed to get in or out of my favorite of the five stages–the always crowded tented area called the Beatport stage–there were big strong fellows ready to clear my way. It was like the parting of the Red Sea!

Grandma Techno also took some fantastic photos of the event:

30 years from now, I hope to be as cool as Grandma Techno!

Here’s a roundup of some of the coolest images from Movement ‘08, the Detroit Electronic Music Festival.

If you’ve posted images from DEMF, add a post in the comments!

Images: TheBeej, Miss Lauralee, rockmusicreview, seekoh, c2k2e

Detroit’s Freep.com, says that Movement 08 took the Detroit Electronic Music Festival mainstream:

Eight years into Detroit’s electronic-music festival tradition, the event seems to have secured its future. At Hart Plaza this weekend, the fest audience was younger than ever, packed with teens and early twentysomethings who seemed eager to stamp their own mark on the riverfront ritual.

From its launch at noon Saturday through Monday night’s headlining closing by Speedy J, Movement’s five stages were home to new adventures in sound, as an array of first-time fest performers nudged the fest onto new ground. This was the year Movement went mainstream, with flashy, trendy club music standing out in boldface among the more eloquent, classic styles that once dominated the event.

For purists, it wasn’t necessarily a welcome development. Not all was reflective and poignant, not everything transcendent. The musical romance of previous fests was often supplanted by a fist-pumping party spirit. Acts such as Moby, Benny Benassi and Girl Talk indulged their audiences with accessible, hook-laden sets, gesturing and cavorting onstage like rock stars.

No booking better symbolized the new Movement than Moby, the New York artist who has enjoyed electronic music’s most successful pop crossover career. Saturday night, he packed the Hart Plaza bowl with an animated set that shored up his old-school DJ credentials.

Movement officials said about 53,000 people had passed through the gates by Sunday night — in two days eclipsing the 2007 three-day total of 43,337. Monday’s attendance was 22,397, pushing the weekend’s total to more than 75,000.

“It was a musical experiment, and the response was what we were hoping for,” fest director Jason Huvaere said Monday afternoon. “What happened was, without question, a really defining moment. It was a risk, and what we’ve seen over the past three days is a success for the event and the performers.”

It was the biggest DEMF ever – but does bigger and more mainstream mean better?

Moby is making his Movement debut at this weekend’s Detroit Electronic Music Festival.

Here are a few of the highlights:

What goes into putting together a live show versus a DJ set?

When I DJ, it’s just me playing my favorite records by other people. One of the things I love about DJing is the impromptu spontaneity of it. Every time I DJ it’s quite different. You establish this symbiotic relationship with the audience, where they’re responding to you and you’re responding to them, and you never know what your next record is going to be. It could be this fantastic moment where everyone in the crowd throws hands in the air or it could be a trainwreck where everyone decides to go to the bar and ignore what you’re doing.

What do you spin?

It all depends. I mean, sometimes I’ll play brand new electro tracks, sometimes I’ll play old house and techno, sometimes I’ll break out some old hip-hop records, sometimes its Guns N’ Roses and Pulp. It depends on where I am, and what seems to be appropriate and/or inappropriate.

Do you DJ with vinyl?

I used to, but I stopped playing vinyl about a year ago because I was traveling too much, and traveling with vinyl — it’s just really heavy. If you have two big flight cases filled with vinyl it weighs about 75 pounds, so running through an airport with two big flight cases of vinyl logistically was just a pain in the (behind). So now, like most of the DJs I know, I’m DJing with CDs, and the great thing about that is they weigh nothing, you can carry all your music with you and if you lose something you can burn it again off your laptop.

This is your first appearance at Movement. Has this festival been on your radar?

Oh yeah, I’ve known about it for years. The first time I went to Detroit was in 1991 or 1992, and I believe the first time I came to Detroit I played at St. Andrews with the Prodigy and Richie Hawtin. So I’ve been coming to Detroit regularly for almost 18 years, and, it goes without saying that Detroit is definitely the American center for electronic music, so it makes perfect sense to have DEMF there. Also, without the originators — Juan Atkins and Carl Craig and Kevin Saunderson and Derrick May — electronic music today would probably look very different. It’s very safe to say they’re the ones who started it.

Were they an influence on you?

Oh yeah, in the late ’80s I would basically buy any electronic record that had a 4/4 kick to it. So whether it was house music from Chicago or the early Transmat records, it was very inspiring. A lot of the music that came out of Detroit in the late ’80s and early ’90s was more thoughtful, intellectual dance music. Something like a record by the Suburban Knights, it was a great record to listen to, but it was not exactly a floor filler that you could play at 2 o’clock in the morning. Then there were the crossovers, like “Strings of Life” that ended up being such a huge dance hit, but such an unlikely dance hit, because it doesn’t even really become a dance song until about a minute and a half into it. So it was interesting when tracks like that would cross over.

Have you become friends with any of those Detroit originals?

I’ve known them for years. I’ve toured with all of them at this point. I toured with Richie Hawtin and the Plus 8 sound system, Dan Bell, Derrick May, and I remember DJing with Carl Craig in ‘90 or ‘91. Kevin Saunderson and I, we had the same manager for a long time in the early ’90s, and Juan Atkins, I toured with him in ‘96. I haven’t actually seen or talked to any of them in probably a year or more, but I run into them all in the most random places. You’ll find yourself in Stuttgart at 5 o’ clock in the morning at a truck stop, and you’re buying a magazine and a coffee and there’s Derrick May.

Here’s a round-up of info for Movement 08: the Detroit Electronic Music Festival, May 24-26, 2008:

• Movement 08 Schedule (pdf)
• Movement 08 Hart Plaza Map
• Movement 08 MySpace page
• Official Movement 08 blog
• Real Detroit Weekly coverage
• Detroit info
• Official afterparties
• Movement 08 afterparty list (official and unofficial)
• Movement 08 coverage at Synthopia
• Movement 08 video previews

See the Official Movement 08 blog for updated info!

Here’s a rundown of the Movement 08 – Detroit Electronic Music Festival – afterparties:

Soul Skate ‘08

What: This festival feel-good event features dance music on wheels courtesy of elusive Detroit producer DJ Moodyman (Kenny Dixon Jr.). Last year, Detroit techno luminaries, fans and world-class skaters circled the rink serenaded by skate jams — and a repeat performance is expected this year. The skate contest winner takes home a $1,000 prize. Home-cooked soul food is free while it lasts.

Lineup: Moodyman.

When: 11 p.m.-4 a.m. Saturday.

Where: Northland Roller Rink, 22311 W. Eight Mile Road, Detroit. 313-341-3096. www.mahoganimusic.com.

Admission: $12.

Hi-Tek Soul

What: Techno legend and onetime Movement producer Derrick May dashes home this weekend. Expect him to draw a packed house of devotees. Detroit native Quentin Harris, whose remixes for big names like Mariah Carey and India.Arie have made him a dance floor hit-maker, brings the New York house aesthetic home.

Lineup: Derrick May and Quentin Harris.

When: 10 p.m. Saturday.

Where: 1515 Broadway, Detroit. 313-965-1515.

Admission: $20 advance, at Spectacles in Detroit and Incognito in Royal Oak.

Minus — Contact

What: Windsor native Richie Hawtin is a go-to name for electronic music fans and has been throwing Detroit parties for 20 years. The evening promises minimal techno and banging beats.

Lineup: Richie Hawtin, Magda, Gaiser, Heartthrob, Mark Houle and Troy Pierce.

When: Doors at 10 p.m. Saturday.

Where: St Andrew’s Hall, 431 E. Congress, Detroit. 313-961-6358. www.m-nus.com or www.wantickets.com. Admission: $35.

Radio Skool/Tronic Treatment

What: This party has something for any lover of electronic music, with shows in St. Andrew’s Hall and the Shelter downstairs. A lineup led by reliably buoyant Detroit favorite Stacey Pullen will be in the Shelter, with the hard techno of Christian Smith upstairs.

Lineup: Shelter: Pullen, Dennis Ferrer, Mike Brown and Mr. V. St. Andrew’s: Smith, Joris Voorn, John Selway and Frankie Vega.

When: 10 p.m. Sunday.

Where: St. Andrew’s Hall/the Shelter, 431 E. Congress, Detroit. 313-961-6358. www.myspace.com/radioskool.

Admission: TBA.

Afterparties

Thursday
DJ AM: Club grand opening also features DJ Yo-C, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. MBarGo, 43325 12 Mile, Novi. 248-374-3420.

Armin Van Buuren: With Blake Jarrell, Thomas Emmanuel, Jeremy Jerome and Ryan Christopher, 9 p.m. Bleu Room Experience, 1540 Woodward, Detroit. 313-222-1900. $25, $60 VIP.

Thursday Night Mash Up: With DJs Godfather and Tom T, 9 p.m. Thu. MGM Grand Detroit, 1777 Third, Detroit. 877-888-2121.

Hijacked Records Ten-Year Anniversary: With Twonz, Tim Baker, DJ Seoul & T. Linder, Quentin, Jerry Swinger, Matt Clarke, DJ Dru, NoLuv, DJ Roach. The Works, 1846 Michigan Ave., Detroit. 313-961-1742. $5.

Toy Box: With Thomas Barnett, Claus Bachor and Gabe Real. Como’s, 22812 Woodward Ave., Ferndale. 248-548-1310. Free/$5.

Friday
Underground Anthems Live: With DJs Keith Worthy, Patrice Scott, Omar S. and E-Man, 11 p.m.-6 a.m. Trenchtown, 3919 Woodward, Detroit. 313-831-8552. $10.

Tequila & Techno: With Los Hermanos, Buzz Goree, James Pennington, Claus Bachor, D. Wynn, Derek Plaslaiko, Domenico, Sporeprint and Infinity One, 10 p.m. The Works, 1846 Michigan, Detroit. 313-961-1742. www.313mixworks.com. $10 before 11:30 p.m.

The Remix Party: With DJs Gen Hung, Cordell Johnson (Nu Bang), Shake, Reggie (Hot Mix) Harrell, Art Payne and Carl Lucas, 9 p.m. Fri. Big City Bar & Grill, 1020 Washington Blvd., Detroit. 313-963-8808.

Official Movement Opening Party: With Ryan Elliott, Efdemin, K. Atou, Transduction Research, Van Valen, Madam Modesty, Jason Short, Clint Stewart, Farzana, Vacuum, E Spleece. 9 p.m. Bleu Room Experience, 1540 Woodward, Detroit. 313-222-1900. www.myspace/detroitmusicfest. $5

Arsenal: With DJs Bet, Phrikshun, Sicari and Salam Wreck. Doors at 9 p.m., Oslo, 1456 Woodward, Detroit. 313-962-7200. www.myspace.com/detroitoslo. $5 before $10.

Masters of the House: A Tribute to Ken Collier: With DJs Delano Smith, Minx, Charles Hicks, Genesis, Mike Clark, Alan Ester, Pirahna and Norm Talley, 10 p.m.-4 a.m. Level 10, 2999 Woodbridge, Detroit. www.mastersofhouse2008.com. $10.
Hump: With DJ Surgeon. Foran’s Irish Pub, 612 Woodward Ave., Detroit. 313-961-3043. $5 before midnight.

Bang Tech 12’s 12 Year Anniversary: With DJ Seoul, DJ Mo Reese, Ronin Selecta, T. Linder, Todd Perrine, 8en, Bileebob, Big Joe Hix, D’Jam, Ben Wu, DJ Southside, Dilemma, Jerry Swinger, G.Major, DJ Nimbus, DJ Katalist, Todd (Jit) Weston, Exodus, DJ Psycho, N. Mattimoe and The Vandal. Bookie’s Downtown Tavern, 1265 Washington Blvd., Detroit. 313-963-2589. www.bookiestavern.com. Free.

Sixth Annual Pre-Festival BBQ: Presented by Grimace & Friends with Adam X, Danny the Wildchild, Gary Martin, Avex Axiom, Dan Bain, Dan Lucas, Christos, Dustin Zahn, Matt Rissi, Mike G, Mike R & Number 9, Mod 8, Nova. Corktown Tavern, 1716 Michigan Ave., Detroit. 313-964-5103. www.corktowntavern.com. $5 before 10 p.m.

Bassment Allstars: With Skymall, Heartworm, Xrin Arms, The Mourningside Excursion, Johnny Static, Traits, Adon Angel, Little Mack, The Abstraktikons, Nyarlatohtep, Split Horizon, Selector Catalogue, Chem 7, Hobert Euorpe, Noxious One, Clll, DJ Tacopunch, DJ Deadlines and Baron Knoxburry. McCarthy’s Pub, 1600 W. Fort, Detroit. 313-496-0626. $3-$5.

Start the Feed: With Efdemin, Van Valen, Madam Modesty, Jason Short & Clint Stewart, Farzana, Kris Wadsworth, Metaphaze, Vacuum, E. Spleece. Masonic Temple, 500 Temple St., Detroit. www.paxahau.com. $10 before midnight.
The Remix Party: With Gene Hunt, Cordell Johnson, Anthony (Shake) Shakir, Karl Lucas, Reggie Hotmix Harrell and Art Payne. Big City Bar & Grill, 1020 Washington Blvd., Detroit. $5.

Meauxtronic: Session 1: With Drivetrain, Claus Bachor, Mr. Mann, Cloudmaster Weed, Todd Perrine, DJ Alastair. In Eastern Market, 1353 Fisher Fwy, Detroit. www.soireerecords.com. Free with flyer.

House 101: With Terrence Parker, J. Garcia and Josh Surma. Proof, 2001 Woodward Ave., Detroit. 313-309-3200. Free-$5.

Saturday
Bob Sinclar: 9 p.m. V at MGM Grand Detroit, 1777 Third, Detroit. 877-888-2121. $50-$75.

Wired for Sound: With Alland Byallo, Nikola Baytala, Sammy D, Craig Kuna, Chris Grant, Don Keipuncher, Tyler Durden, Terrence B, Justin U, Jayded, 10 p.m. Sat. Exodus Lounge, 529 Monroe, Detroit. 313-962-7093. www.disfreshmusic.com. $5-$10.

Massive Manifest: With Disruptive Patterns, Norm Talley, Aaron Carl, E. Dubb & Rhythm Hustler, Vinsanity, Christopher Anhydrous, The Disciple, DJ Rhyno, Frankie Naples, J-Rome, Edison, Pontoon Joe, Brian Scott vs. Shane Smooth, The Deaken, Raskalz, Joel Chartier and DJ Gusto. The Woodbridge Gallery, 1761 W Forest, Detroit. www.fromthegut.org/massivesupport/ .$15-$20.

DTM 5 X 5: With T. Linder, Dan Lucas, DJ Seoul, Darkcube, Neil V., Loner.9, DJ Psycho, Jackit Crew!, Trench. Corktown Tavern, 1716 Michigan Ave., Detroit. 313-964-5103. www.corktowntavern.com. Free.

Friendly Integration V. 10: With Phoenecia, Agaric, Richard Devine, Christian Wunsch, Museum, Mark Verbos, Loetech, Drumcell, Derek Michael, Acidpimp, Acid Circus, Jerry Abstract, Ian Hind, Quantazelle and DBit. The Works, 1846 Michigan Ave., Detroit. 313-961-1742. www.313mixworks.com. $20/$25.

Official Movement ’08 After Party: With Josh Gabriel, Steve Porter, Christopher Norman, and Rebecca Sin. Bleu Room Experience, 1540 Woodward Ave. 313-222-1900. www.bleudetroit.com. $15-$40.

New Path: With Infiltrata, Spktrm, Friske, Ronin Selecta, Joey P, Sinistarr, Chief & Rusty Deyah, Big Joe Hix, Josh Bryant & DJ Everfresh, Slope, MC Subverse, Teddy MC, MC Yoda, Visual Barrage. Esko Lounge, 201 Michigan Ave., Detroit. 313-962-3000. $10.

LA Riots: With DJ Zebo, DJ Howlermonkey, Jessica Partin, John K and DJ Uzi. Atwater Block Brewery, 237 Jos. Campau, Detroit. 313-877-9205. www.wanttickets.com, www.myspace/lariotsofficial. $15.

Strictly House Beatdown: With Norm Talley, Delano Smith, Mike Clark, Alton Miller, Mondo Blaze, Reggie (Hotmix) Harrell and Bruce Bailey. Big City Bar & Grill, 1020 Washington Blvd., Detroit. 313-963-8808. www.dmaurbangroove.com. $5.

Too Far Gone… No Way Back: With Adult, Perspects, Dethlab, Cowboy Mark, CMotor, Derek Plaslaiko, Mike Servito, BMG of Ectomorph, Patrick Russell, Carlos Souffront, 1440 Gratiot Ave., Detroit. www.interdimensionaltransmissions.com. $10.

Electrobounce Launch Party: With DJ Godfather, DJ X-Change, DJ Rashad, DJ Clent, DJ Chi Boogie, Oliver Way, Mister Ries, Kronic & Chao Xin & Zymotic, DJ Guy, Big Daddy Rick, Steve Newsense, Sirius and BMG of Ectomorph. River’s Edge Grille, 673 Franklin St., Detroit. 313-393-3337. www.electrobounce.com. $10.

Deadmau5: With Shawn Michaels, Ryan Christopher and Sir Thomas. Plan B, 205 W. Congress, Detroit. 313-226-1200. www.deadmau5.com. $20.

House Gallery: With Jerry the Cat, Diamondancer, Adam Francesconi and J. Ramsey. Proof, 2001 Woodward Ave., Detroit. 313-309-3200. www.rhythmgallery.com. Free.

Homegrown: With Yos, Gabe Real, Jenna Brown, Jenny Le Femme, Jag, Zero, Abbe & Jay. River’s Edge Grille, 673 Franklin St., Detroit. 313-393-3337. www.riversedgegrille.com. $10.

PM: With Holy Ghost!, Par Grindvik, Aran Daniels, Duke Shin, Steven Roberts and Joe Varga. Oslo, 1456 Woodward Ave., Detroit. 313-962-7200.www.propmod.com. $10.

Resolute Afterhours BBQ: With Maetrik, Ryan Crosson, Camea, Pheek, Elon, Kyaro, Miss Fitz, K.atou, Connie, Stefny, Memek and Eric Cloutier. TV Bar, 2548 Grand River Ave., Detroit. resolutenyc@gmail.com. $10-$15.

The Other 9 to 5: With Adultnapper, Camea, Miss Fitz & K.atou, [A]pendics Shuffle, Lunatik, Tony Kasper, Dave Powers, Jason Patrick, Dirtybird, Josh Surma, Hakita and Philip Stone. Bert’s On Broadway, 1315 Broadway, Detroit. 313-962-5430. www.volatl.com

Sunday
Wired for Sound: With Sutter & Derek Foreal, Aaron Dae, Ken (ECB) Christensen, Bassick, Derek Hannon, Will Evo vs. Unherd, Jeremy Poling, Coalition of the Killing, Andrew Degarmo 10 p.m. Exodus Lounge, 529 Monroe, Detroit. 313-962-7093. www.disfreshmusic.com. $5-$10.

DJ Armando: With Mike Anthony and Tom T, 9 p.m. MGM Grand Detroit, 1777 Third, Detroit. 877-888-2121.

Radio Skool/Tronic Treatment: With Jooris Voorn, John Selway, Christian Smith, Stacey Pullen, Dennis Ferrer, St. Andrew’s Hall/The Shelter, 431 E. Congress. 313-961-6358. www.myspace.com/radioskool. www.wanttickets.com. $15.

Shake It Down: The Remix: With 2 Live Crew, Devlin & Darko, Peanut Butter Wolf, K. Fresh, P Live, Starsky & Clutch and Frankie Banks. The Majestic Theatre, 4140 Woodward, Detroit. 313-833-9700. www.groovetickets.com. $20.

Fusion: With Steve Stoll, Evol Intent, Gridlok, Woody McBride, Anthony (Shake) Shakir, Scan 7, James Pennington, The Flashbulb, Doormouse, Danny the Wildchild, Teste, Atomic Babies, Michael Wenz, DJ Surgeon (Detroit), Kero, Paranormal Tek, Guys on Drugs, Neil V., E. Dubb, Calico, Ergot, Jofus & Ninaflower, Steel Grooves, Jon(Eric), J-Dubz, DJ Mo Reese, Henneke, DJ Sinistarr, DJ Seoul, G-Major, Todd Perrine, DJ Southside, Todd Weston. Leland City Club complex, 400 Bagley St. Detroit. 313-962-2300 ext 7758. www.demf.com. $25 presale.

Substance V.5: With James Ruskin, Joel Mull, Radial, Function, Anton Pieete, Maetrik, Kyle Geiger, Jason Emsley, Kero, Corbin Davis, Jeremy Nida, Punisher, Frankie Vega, Rex Sepulveda, Project 313, John Overfiend and Jason Patrick. Bert’s On Broadway, 1315 Broadway, Detroit. 313-962-5430. www.detund.com. $20-$25.

Pure Panic: With Hive, Ewun, Keith Mackenzie, Tomfoolery, DJ Seoul, Ronin Selecta, DJ Nimbus, Tweeknasty, DJ Tanner, Inspekda Breaks, The Disciple and DJ Psycho. Pure, 1500 Woodward Ave., Detroit. 734-274-3102. $15.

Revolution: With Troy Pierce, Reference, Ryan Crosson, Lee Curtiss, Seth Troxler, Marko Furstenberg, Arthur Oskan, Keith Kemp, Alland Byallo, Joshua Harrison. The Works, 1846 Michigan Ave., Detroit. 313-961-1742. $5.

W.A.R.M.T.H.: With Alton Miller, DJ Bone, Aaron Carl, DJ Surgeon, Ben Wu, Trench, T. Linder, DJ Sinistarr, DJ E. Dubb, Jeff Comer, DJ Katalist, Kenneth Jeffrey, Veronique and Gary Martin. The Detroit Pub, 1326 Brush St., Detroit. 313-963-3500. www.detpub.com. $15-$20.

Official Movement ’08 AfterParty: With Benny Benassi, Anthony Attalla, Franco Fabi. Bleu Room Experience, 1540 Woodward Ave., Detriot. 313-222-1900. www.bleudetroit.com. www.wantickets.com. $20-$50.

Music for Your Mind: With Mark Farina, Jason Hodges, Chuck Daniels and Christos. Confidential Lounge, 211 W. Congress, Detroit. 313-962-1260. $10 before midnight.
For Those Who Know IV: With Suburban Knight, Aquanauts, Buzz Goree aka Clandestine, Nomadico, Mark Flash, Bileebob. Doors at 8 p.m. Alvin’s, 5756 Cass Ave., Detroit. www.groovetickets.com. $10.

Opposition Party III: With Hecate, Baseck, Prometheus Burning, Split Horizon, Cutups, Statas and Skymall. 1551 Winder, #208, Detroit. www.fromthegut.org/massop/. $10.

I-94 & Beyond: With Al Ester, DJ Cent, Greg Grey, Hakim Murphy, Sean Alverez, Frankie Vibe, Reggie (Hotmix) Harrell and Bruce Bailey. 9 p.m., Big City Bar & Grill, 1020 Washington Blvd. 313-963-8808. www.dmaurbangroove.com. $10.

Temporary Tattoos: With Martin Landsky, Jamie Jones, Bruno Pronsato, Mikael Stavostrand, Derek Plaslaiko, Taimur & Fahad. Oslo, 1456 Woodward Ave., Detroit. 313-962-7200. $10.

Detroit Jack City: With Lawnchair Generals, Bryan Jones, Santiago & Frank Solano, Gabe Real & Mike Rhythm, Chocolate the Freaky Afronaut, Zeek Dominguez, Nickholas Aldon, DJ Way, Number 9, Episoldier, Theo G & Adam Abstrakt, Tim Pejza. 10 p.m., Corktown Tavern, 1716 Michigan Ave., Detroit. 313-964-5103. www.wanttickets.com. $15.

Bump Da Funk: With Frank Rains, E. Spleece, Mike (Agent X) Clark, Norm Talley, Kidd, Chris Grant, Gene Hunt, Adonis Childs, Javonntte Garrett & J&J Productions, Jesse James, The Machinist, DJ Jeremy Grace, DJ Jared Fuller, Ziam’s Liquid Silver, 3 p.m., 2500 Club, 2500 Park Ave., Detroit. www.myspace.com/bumpdafunkremixed. Free-$10.

DayRa!: With Brian G, Brenda D, John Simmons, Bjak & Todd Mariana, Aaron Dae, Stephen P., DJ Rhyno & Frankie Naples, J-Lunatic, Tommy Ruffingers & J-Direct and DJ Evol. Noon-10 p.m, Foran’s Irish Pub, 612 Woodward Ave., Detroit. 313-961-3043. www.music-101.com. $5.

Monday
Official Closing Party: With Louie Vega, 10 p.m., Plan B, 205 W. Congress, Detroit. 313-226-1200. $5, free with festival wristband.
Homegrown Part 2: with DJ Seoul, Lisa Lisa, DJ Dick, DJ iMix, Shortstop, Art (Pumpin’) Payne, T. Linder, DJ Dan, Jag, Hardy, Knight and DJ Shadow. River’s Edge Grille, 673 Franklin St., 313-393-3337. www.riversedgegrille.com. $5.
Third Annual DEMF Closing Party: With D:Fuse, the Scumfrog, Gene Farris, Vinyl Junkies, Yos, Jonny White, Nitin. 1540 Woodward, Detroit. 313-222-1900. www.wantickets.com

via Freep

Here are the official promo videos for Movement 2008 – the Detroit Electronic Music Festival.

Here’s a map of the layout for Hart Plaza for Movement 08, the Detroit Electronic Music Festival.

Even better, you can download this Movement 08 map in PDF form and print it out!

Masters of House
A TRIBUTE TO KEN COLLIER WITH THE HELP OF SEVERAL OF DETROITS FINEST HOUSE DJ’s AND ENTHUSIASTS

This Friday May 23rd from 9p.m. until 4a.m. at Level 10 Nigthclub( Woodbridge and McDougall)

RSVP or tickets available by visiting:
www.mastersofhouse2008.com

Real Detroit Weekly is a returning third year sponsor of Movement, and will feature the return of the Underground Stage, known now as the Real Detroit Stage, sponsored by Real Detroit Weekly.

“Real Detroit Weekly is a strong supporter of Detroit’s Movement event, and is committed to sponsoring a successful festival that reaches an amazing fan base,” stated Jason Huvaere, festival director. “We are thrilled to have Real Detroit on board, once again, as an event sponsor.”

Here are the details:

Real Detroit Stage

Saturday, May 24th
12:00-2:00 pm Big Joe Hix
2:00-4:00 pm Reggie “Hotmix” Harrell
4:00-5:30 pm Minx
5:30-7:00 pm Michael Gieger
7:00-8:30 pm Mike Grant
8:30-10:00 pm Terrence Parker
10:00 pm – 12:00 am Stacey Pullen

Sunday, May 25th
12:00-1:30 pm Gabe Real1:30-3:00 pm T Linder
3:00-4:00 pm Darkcube – live
4:00-6:00 pm Aaron-Carl feat. Veronique & DJ E. Dubb
6:00-8:00 pm TBA
8:00-9:00 pm Mr. De – live/DJ
9:00-11:00 pm TBA
11:00 pm – 12:00 am Closed

Monday, May 26th
12:00-2:00 pm Drew Pompa
2:00-3:00 pm Josh Dahlberg
3:00-4:30 pm Derrick Thompson aka DriveTrain
4:30-6:00 pm Twonz
6:00-7:30 pm Rich Korach
7:30-9:00 pm Derek Plaslaiko
9:00-11:00 pm Kevin Saunderson
11:00 pm – 12:00 am Closed

Show producer Paxahau has announced the initial lineup for Movement 2008 – the Detroit Electronic Music Festival.

Here’s a link to Synthtopia’s Movement 2008 info.

The festival, now in its ninth year (in some form) will feature:

ALEX UNDER –live
ALTON MILLER
BENNY BENASSI
BUZZ GOREE
CARL CRAIG
CASSY
COBBLESTONE JAZZ –live
COOL KIDS –live
DBX –live
DUBFIRE
EGYPTIAN LOVER –live
GIRL TALK –live
GUILLAUME & THE COUTU DUMONTS -live
HALF HAWAII –live
JAMES ZABIELA
JORIS VOORN –live
KONRAD BLACK
MATHIAS KADEN –live
MIKE GRANT
MINX
MOBY -dj set
NEWCLEUS -live
SPEEDY J -live with Scott Pagano VJ
TECH ITCH
TERRENCE PARKER
ZIP

More names are promised to come.

So who’s going?

Movement 07, the Detroit Electronic Music Festival, is steaming up Detroit’s Hart Plaza, despite rain and the admission charge.

“It was a slow start,” says Jason Huvaere, president of Paxahau Promotions Group, which produced this year’s festival. “But after 4 p.m., people never stopped coming in.”

He said he’d grade Saturday a “B+” and by 9 p.m. Sunday, he was giving the second day an “A.”

“The weather finally broke, the mood is awesome and everyone’s having a good time,” said Huvaere.

Performers have ranged from Monolake, above, to ambient artist Robert Rich.

Rich said he usually turns down invitations to play outdoor festivals like Movement. But his set on Sunday was met with whoops and hollers, and prompted calls for an encore he couldn’t play because of time restraints.

“I’m used to playing in much quieter settings,” says Rich, who prefers small auditoriums and planetariums. “But there’s a time and place for everything, and it was fun getting out here and rocking out a little bit.”

Even as the rain came down, though, fans continued to move and gyrate in front of the stage.

Lauren Theil, 18, of Dublin, Ohio, sees the festival as a tradition that must, no matter what, continue. “This festival helps to keep this city alive,” she said.

via Detroit News

Photos: TheBeej, Plaubel Makina, Stirhouse, shawnvanbrunt

Ladies and Gentleman; I know many of you want to know what’s going on with the festival for 2006. I can not tell you for sure, but I have been told that the City of Detroit is in negotiation right now and are only considering companies that can pay for the festival expenses out right. Which I believe is a wise decision. This festival needs financial stability. Unfortunately with our greatest efforts, we could not achieve what was necessary to continue to produce the festival in 2006. Here are some of the facts why, questions and answers:

Q How many people attended the festival last year?

A We sold 41,000 tickets last year. That translates to 37,000 1 day tickets and 4,000 multi day tickets.

Q Are the numbers down from previous years?

A Yes, but just slightly. Comparing beer revenues from 2004 to 2005 suggests we really only had approximately 50,000 people in 2004. This does represent a small decline.

Q So was the festival successful? It sounds like you a lot less people than in the past.

A Considering the planning window we had put this thing together, we think the festival was incredibly successful. In addition, our numbers last year, and the fact that Hart Plaza capacity is less than previously thought, suggest that our earlier festivals did not have 1,000,000 people in attendance as previously reported.

Q Did charging for the festival have a big impact?

A We surveyed festival goers and they told us that they thought ticket prices were extremely reasonable. The smaller than expected ticket sales were caused partly by inaccurate counts from previous festivals and partly from our own overly optimistic goals for last year’s festival. Finally, the biggest factor in lower ticket totals was our inability promote, because we were only approved for the permit 9 days before the event. This made advance ticket sales and fundraising nearly impossible, so we couldn’t do follow through on our advance marketing program. The other sign that our issue was promotion was the fact that in previous years there were a much larger number of out of town guests. To be successful, this festival needs to be promoted starting in November.

Q How will you pay the invoices of the vendors? Many say they haven’t been paid.

A Yes, there are several vendors that MusicLogical still owes money. My intention was to bring a partner with some financial stability and resources in to partner up with MusicLogical and relieve the debts from the 2005 Fuse-In festival, but at this point we have not been able to achieve that.

Q Are you saying you lost money?

A Yes, because of lack of promotion time, the festival sold less tickets, generated less revenue than we would have hoped. The costs were tight and we had a very good handle on the operational aspects of this event. This was not about our operation of the event – it was about not having enough time to properly market the event and draw the crowds that still want to hear our music. I believe people would be surprised at how tightly this festival was run and how organized the entire effort really was. If we had 10,000 more foreign visitors, not only would we have broken even, but the city of Detroit would have received that economic spillover as well.

Q Can the festival have financial success?

A Yes, absolutely. If it is run as well as we ran it, and if it was started 6 months earlier (assuming the weather was positive) it would absolutely make money, and be able to generate cash that the City could use to help rebuild Hart Plaza for other festivals.

This is too great a festival to keep down. If the city would allow enough time to promote it by awarding the festival permit months in advance instead of days in advance, this festival could continue to bring music and dollars downtown for years to come. As an ambassador of our music (Techno) and our city (Detroit), I will continue to do whatever I can to spread the word throughout the world.

via Kevin Saunderson