Top 10 Most Anticipated Acts of Movement Detroit
Written by: Jessica Hruska & Phil Minnick
Movement Detroit prides itself as a festival featuring the best of international dance music artists and local rising stars. Every year the festival showcases a wider variety of artists: industry vets, hometown heroes, avant garde, fan favorites, up-and-coming acts as well as the tried and true performers. This year’s schedule is no different, as there is plenty to choose from in each time block. It’s always difficult to choose who to see, but we’re here to help you navigate. Here are our staff picks of top 10 most anticipated sets at Movement Detroit (in no particular order). Feel free to share your can’t miss acts in the comments section below!
Mr Fingers
Saturday, May 27 from 6:45 – 8:15 p.m. at the RBMA Stage
Larry Heard is a DJ’s DJ…a producer’s producer. He has a timeless sense of what works in electronic music. Most commonly known as Mr. Fingers, Larry’s career dates back to the mid 1980’s with classics like “Mystery of Love” He will be performing some funky, jazzy, deep house vibes live on Saturday. Don’t miss this opportunity, he rarely tours, usually internationally, and this is his first show of the year!
Rebekah
Monday, May 29 from 6:30 – 8 p.m.at the Resident Advisor Underground Stage
Rebekah will undoubtedly bring her brand of fast-paced and celestial techno from the UK to Movement’s RA stage on Monday. Another veteran, DJing since ’96 and producing for a decade, Rebekah will be pulling out all the stops with her Hybrid set. Check out her new album, Fear Paralysis, released 2 weeks ago on Soma. Watch out.
Ben Sims b2b Truncate
Monday, May 29 from 9:30 – 11 P.M. at the Resident Advisor Underground Stage
This is the answer to your techno dreams. The schedulers combined two of the deadliest techno heavyweights to take on Carl Cox in the Monday night closing spots. All the hardcore techno heads will be at the RA stage to see what Ben Sims and Truncate deliver. Expect that Berghain style of churning techno from this UK/US combo to send you off on your Movement weekend. Here’s a 6 hour mix to get ya ready.
https://youtu.be/h4Facu6WM8k
Richie Hawtin-CLOSE
Saturday, May 27 from 10:45 P.M. – 12 A.M. on Main Stage
Richie Hawtin’s CLOSE live set performance is a real treat for Movement. This Saturday closing set should satisfy the most discerning techno fans. The live setup puts Richie between two massive equipment stacks, giving him the opportunity for improvisation with closely synched visuals. Additionally, you’ll get a scoop of the gear being used by several cameras inside the rig. The Cochella set was experimental but unmistakably Richie Hawtin’s brand of hard-hitting techno. Get ready for a journey!
Pan-Pot
Saturday, May 27 from 9:30 -11 p.m. at the Pyramid Stage
The Berlin-based duo Pan-Pot are set to torch the Detroit dancefloor with fire techno during their Saturday night set. Their driving four-on-the-floor rhythms will give tired bodies that second wind of energy to keep dancing all night long. Seamless mixes and mashups of techno bangers make this duo a can’t miss during Movement. You never know what they’re gonna throw at you, but your body will love the bone-rattling beats.
Octo Octa
Sunday, May 28 from 2-3:30 P.M. at the RBMA stage
Octo Octa is making her Detroit Debut at Movement and we couldn’t be more excited. Her productions are airy, tropical and full of colorful melodies. Fresh off her latest full-length album, Where are We Going?, the Brooklyn-based producer will dazzle festivalgoers with a tasty blend of shimmering synths and luxurious beats.
DJ Harvey
Monday, May 29 from 2-5 P.M. at the Thump Stage presents Paradise
What better way to kick off the final day of Movement with an extended 3 hour set by disco king DJ Harvey? Save your energy for this set as it’s going to be full of electric vibes. Get your dancing shoes ready because DJ Harvey is bound to throw down some epic bootlegs and rare cuts of Motown jams.
Kevin Saunderson as E-Dancer (Live)
Sunday, May 28 from 10-11 P.M. at the Thump Stage presents Origins: KMS Records 30 Years
In recent years, Kevin Saunderson (known as one of the originators of Detroit techno) has revived arguable his most popular alias – E-Dancer. It’s been nearly two decades since the release of his critically acclaimed “Heavenly” LP on Planet-E. Celebrating 30 years of KMS Records, his own label, Kevin has decided to re-release the Heavenly tracks in a string of forthcoming EPs (Click here for EP1). He will be playing live as his alias E-Dancer for the festival this year, as he closes down the night on his KMS 30 year celebration stage. It is a moment in music history that longtime fans and newcomers alike will want to witness firsthand.
Anna
Sunday, May 28 from 4-6 P.M. at the Pyramid Stage
Comprised of strong song selections and impeccable mixing techniques, Anna’s DJ sets explore the darker side of tech house and progressive. Globally renown for her high-energy performances, festivalgoers can expect the Brazilian native to bring the heat to the Detroit dancefloor.
Ben Klock
Saturday, May 27 from 8-9:30 P.M. at Pyramid Stage
Landlord Klock is a Movement regular for good reason, you just need that raw German techno to pound the Movement riverfront. Taking over the Pyramid Stage Friday early evening, Ben Klock will, once again, let Detroit know how things are in Berlin. Here’s a chunk of Ben Klock’s 8/10/2013 set in Berghain.