DJ Meph (dot) Net

This weekend is the 10th anniversary of one of the most legendary music festivals in the entire world. While the festival has yet to see some of the incredible numbers it did back in the day, (1-2 million estimated) the festival still attracts dance music acts and aficionados from around the world.

My first festival was in 2006. While I regret not going to the festival in years prior to that, (I used to spend my Memorial Day Weekends camping and canoeing) I haven’t missed a festival since and I have seen some of the greatest acts to come through. From Moby’s legendary DJ set in 2008, to Planet of the Drums playing on a blown out soundsystem in the underground stage in 2006, to Afrika Bambaata and the Zulu Nation taking us back to the roots of electro music in 2009, I have seen some amazing musical performances that very few others have had the privilege to see.

If you’re into electronic music at all, any format, there is one simple reason why you should be at Paxahau’s Movement festival this year. It’s not because it’s the 10th anniversary, nor is it to see what is speculated to be the very epic comeback of Plastikman aka Richie Hawtin. There is something even better to look forward to this weekend.

I have been to electronic music festivals all over the country. In 2008 I went to Ultrafest in Miami Beach, Florida as a DJ for the Winter Music Conference. Most of the same DJs that played in Miami played again at Movement 2008 about three months later. These DJs and producers were getting paid a tremendous amount of money to play at Ultrafest, and for the most part, they seemed to be going through the motions. I wouldn’t say any of the performances were terrible, just not very memorable. Something seemed a little off as I had already been to two Movement festivals and felt a completely different vibe.

When Movement 2008 came around, I made sure to see some of my favorite acts that I saw in Miami Beach. I saw Deadmau5, Moby, Benni Benassi, Kenneth Thomas, etc, etc, etc. These artists were likely getting paid a lot less to play in Detroit than they had in Miami. Every single one of these performers put on a much better show in Detroit than they did in Miami. I was amazed at how different I felt watching some of these people performing in Detroit, than I did watching them in Miami. There was a much different vibe in the air, and even though they were playing for smaller crowds, their sets were more intimate, with more energy and just felt completely surreal.

This is why you should be going to Movement 2010 over any other electronic or urban music festival in the world. True magic really happens in Hart Plaza every Memorial Weekend. You don’t just get to see your favorite artists, you get to see your favorite artists give the best performance you’ll ever see from them, as they all show love to the city of Detroit… the birthplace of techno.