While many Americans celebrated their Memorial Day Holiday weekend with friends and family at barbeques, beaches, pools and other expected venues, over 100,000 music fans poured into Hart Plaza in Detroit, Michigan for a different annual holiday tradition. Movement Electronic Music Festival once again proved itself worthy of the Detroit electronic music legacy, drawing legions of faithful fans from all corners of the globe for another world-class event. From start to finish, this year’s festival was a marathon, and fans hit the starting line running as they lined up before noon on Saturday for the first acts of the day.
Day one started off on a positive note with spectacular weather, marking the beginning of a good trend for the entire weekend. As the crowd filed into downtown Detroit’s jewel, Hart Plaza, they were treated right from starting gun to a stunning set from Asher Perkins. While the Motown resident didn’t bust into any accordion jams (one of his many skills), he warmed up the masses with some hard techno and showcased some fine dance moves. The 2014 Made in Detroit stage was louder, larger and featured expanded lighting, making it a standout location for the duration of Movement. Later on Saturday, the Made in Detroit stage exploded into the night with superior sets from Queen Beats aka DJ Minx and Detroit legend Stacey Pullen, who had plenty left in the tank when Day One concluded just prior to midnight. Stacey Pullen also played a set during an official after party at TV Club that started going hard promptly at 7AM.
Those seeking an even larger crowd experience on Day One could stroll over to the adjacent Red Bull Music Academy main stage for top U.S. and international acts like Washington D.C.’s Benoit & Sergio, Brooklyn’s Metro Area, Berlin’s Tale of Us and Detroit’s Underground Resistance. Meanwhile at the Beatport Stage, Dirtybird Records artists Justin Martin and Claude Vonstroke performed to a sprawling crowd that packed every available bit of space, including the concrete “pyramid” sets of steps looming over the floor. Martin’s set was an instant classic and he even took time to pose for an epic selfie with the ecstatic crowd. Martin then handed the baton to London’s Simian Mobile Disco, who dove straight into a powerful DJ set, before Damian Lazarus, Chicago’s Green Velvet and the Dirtybird chief himself, Claude Vonstroke, sent the faithful home all smiles.
