Last weekend, the Movement festival returned to Detroit. The three-day celebration of techno and other popular music featured performances by the Wu-Tang Clan, The Martinez Brothers, Loco Dice, Claude Vonstroke, and more. Our podcast co-host, Becky Scarcello, headed down to Hart Plaza to ask some of the performers what this festival means to the city of Detroit.
1. What does it mean to you to be performing at Movement in the city of Detroit?
“It’s always a pleasure to be playing the festival in Detroit, it has grown so much, and it still supports local artists.”
–DJ, Producer, and Record Label Owner Mike Huckaby
“Performing at Movement this year is a dream come true. I have the honor of performing with Waajeed and Inner City. Inner City will be celebrating their 30 year anniversary. Kevin Saunderson, the leader of Inner City is one of the pioneers of Techno music and I am so excited to perform their hits and some new stuff.”
–Singer/Songwriter Steff Chris
“Movement is a special opportunity to play at because Detroit is the birthplace of Techno music. A lot of people are unaware of this fact. There is so much musical history in Detroit going back from the Motown days to the early 80s when Techno started. A lot of people around the world worship Detroit because of its history. They seem to be so inspired from the music from Detroit. I personally have been really into early Techno lately, so it’s truly an honor to represent my city.”
–DJ and Producer Ryan Dahl
“It's always a great thrill to perform at Movement. The crowd and the atmosphere are unlike any other. To be one of a few live bands performing at a festival of DJs is a lot of fun.”
–Matt Martinez, trombone player for Will Sessions
2. What is special about Movement in particular, and the Detroit music scene in general?
“The fact that it is still going and it’s happening in the city in which I live. The fact that, as a Detroiter, you don't have to go anywhere for one of the best festivals in the nation. It’s all in your own home town!”
–DJ, Producer, and Record Label Owner Mike Huckaby
“Movement being held here in Detroit is special because this is where it all started. Movement brings together so many different types of people through the power of music and sound and it’s a beautiful thing to witness. The Detroit Music scene was and always will be undeniable, from Motown to The White Stripes. We run the gamut and we produce superstars.”
–Singer/Songwriter Steff Chris
“Movement in particular is unique because there are so many well known artists who perform, you can really cover a ton of bases in terms of exposing yourself to a ton of talent from around the world. Because this is an underground focused festival, it makes things even more interesting compared to the other festivals which mainly rely on booking popular talent to make more money. Movement is focused on the quality, which in my opinion is rare these days. Nothing like supporting an organization with good intentions.”
–DJ and Producer Ryan Dahl
“Detroit was the birthplace of techno music. Movement is a celebration of that legacy that has become an international event bringing in people from all over the planet. These people get to see the festival, and then they take that energy into other parts of the city and the music scene. It's a great time to be playing anywhere downtown; you may have the attention of people who have never heard the kind of stuff you're playing. It can be a very powerful experience.”
–Matt Martinez, trombone player for Will Sessions
3. What does Detroit mean for the world of popular music?
“Detroit electronic music is revered around the world. There isn't a corner of the earth where a Detroit dj hasn't played. It often sets the standard, and trends in electronic music.”
–DJ, Producer, and Record Label Owner Mike Huckaby
“We are the alpha and the omega. People til this day are still trying to re-create our Motown sound. That says a lot.”
–Singer/Songwriter Steff Chris
“There are so many music artists who started here, it’s actually quite insane. Pop music wouldn’t look the same without Motown. Pop music wouldn’t be the same without people like Eminem, Stevie Wonder, George Clinton, Smokey Robinson, Aaliyah, Madonna, Bob Seger, just to name a few. There are much more, but this city is the forefront for music talent that influences the world and continues to do so. I am very lucky to be from the Detroit area.”
–DJ and Producer Ryan Dahl
“Detroit is one of the cornerstones of popular music. You can trace so many different styles back here; from Motown to funk, jazz to rock, punk to techno. People still look to Detroit to see what's coming next. It's exciting to be a part of that.”
–Matt Martinez, trombone player for Will Sessions
Hear Becky's Recap of Movement
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