PLAYGROUND DETROIT MOVEMENT 2018 GUIDE: SUNDAY MAY 27
PLAYGROUND DETROIT MOVEMENT 2018 GUIDE: SUNDAY MAY 27
Sunday is the arc of the festival weekend’s activities, so keep your stamina up and move into another day (and night) full of essential Detroit DJ sets. Pro tip: stay hydrated, grab a visor and keep the SPF flowing. Heat stroke isn’t a good look on anyone- and with a high of nearly 90 degrees, you don’t want to risk it with these hot acts on the line-up.
PLAYGROUND DETROIT’s newest contributor, Broccoli picks his essential Sunday performances comprised of artists with a stage by stage play guide.
A FAMILY AFFAIR @ STAR GATE STAGE:
Kweku Saunderson // 1pm-3pm | Saunderson Bros. // 4:30pm-5:30pm | Kevin Saunderson // 10:30pm-12a
It’s not often that you’ll see three acts with the same last name at a festival, much less on the same day, much less on the stage. But that’s exactly what will happen on this Sunday as two generations of the Saunderson clan take turns behind the decks at the Star Gate Stage.
Opening the day on Sunday is Kweku Saunderson, nephew of Kevin hailing from Brooklyn, New York, whose remix-driven techno production and vocal accompaniments have caught the attention of people in the industry, including OVO’s Oliver El-Khatib.
Next up on the line-up is The Saunderson Brothers at 4:30pm, featuring Kevin’s eldest sons Dantiez and Damarii, who have been steadily establishing their presence in Detroit music with the help of KMS, and expanding beyond the city with remixes for artists such as MK.
Last but certainly not least, Kevin Saunderson will be headlining the Star Gate Stage on Sunday evening, bringing his signature sound that was developed in large part by his work with the legendary Belleville Three, the group he started with Juan Atkins and Derrick May.
The whole day will be a chance to see musical heritage live in action; an elder and mentor to many will once again show why he’s been hailed as a great in the city and beyond, and the impact that he’s had on his sons and his nephew will surely be evident in their sets. The different ways that the same musical inspiration can manifest in different people and situations is always an intriguing concept, and what better way to witness this phenomenon than live in action.
DJ HOLOGRAPHIC // 3pm-4:30pm [RED BULL STAGE]
It’s fitting that DJ Holographic would be playing the Red Bull Stage; her “Stardust” show on Red Bull Radio (Every first Sunday of the month, from 12-2pm EST if you’re interested) is a standout amongst Detroit’s offerings on RBR, where “the rising selector and linchpin of Detroit’s underground dance community offers an eclectic sampling of her favorite tunes.”
Her great taste in house, R&B, and nu-disco cuts have earned her a reputation throughout the city. She’s also known for her commitment to Detroit’s LGBTQ community, its history, and its evolving future; as a resident of Norway Detroit’s BAK DØR series, her music has provided sonic encouragement for “the misfits who don’t want to be classified.”
RYAN DAHL // 3pm-4pm [PYRAMID STAGE]
Ryan Dahl (of no relation to Öona Dahl, who will be opening the same stage the day before) took a relatively circuitous route to his current musical form: starting with orchestra and garage bands and evolving into Jazz, Blues, and Reggae, he eventually found house and techno and has been hooked ever since.
With frequent appearances around Detroit, including sets at TV Lounge, Whiskey Disco, and even last year’s Dlectricity Festival, Dahl will be a familiar face for many local fans. For visitors, he will provide an example of the city’s defining local talent along with many others, exhibiting a range of the city’s ability to produce and support solid music.
JOHN “JAMMIN” COLLINS // 4pm-5:30pm [MOVEMENT STAGE]
“Underground Resistance is a label for a movement. A movement that wants change by sonic revolution. We urge you to join the resistance…”
For over 30 years, Underground Resistance has unapologetically used their music to promote critical thought and inspire social change. Member John “Jammin” Collins released his first 12-inch in the heart of the Great Recession; “Yeah” was a triumphant contradiction to the prevailing narrative of Detroit at the time, set within the city’s complicated urban dynamics that have continued to persist, and even magnify, to this day.
John “Jammin” Collins, like much of his UR family, somehow finds a way to preserve the integrity of his convictions without sacrificing his musical dexterity. At times, listeners may be unaware of the deep-seeded motivation behind the music, but with a bit of background and attention to detail, the dance floor becomes a place of contemplation. Going to visit him at Submerge is a good start.
SHIGETO // 6pm-7pm [RED BULL STAGE]
Shigeto’s place in the Michigan music scene is nothing new, with strong connections to his hometown of Ann Arbor and an established presence in Detroit, which includes his residency at Monday is the New Monday and his new label Portage Garage Sounds, with its accompanying monthly radio show with Charles Trees. His music merges jazz technicality with an affinity for textured sounds and ethereal ambience that puts him in good company on the Ghostly International roster, while his desire to experiment has found him breaking that mold, notably with his ZGTO collaboration with ZelooperZ.
With this latest iteration of his live set, we’re looking forward to seeing Shigeto getting beyond the drums and beyond, likely collaborating with a crew of talented musicians like he did on “Transmissions with King Britt” on Red Bull Radio, where he sat in with Amp Fiddler, Waajeed, Monty Luke and Elliott Levin. Who knows what to expect, but if his recent output is any indication, it will be a set to see.
WILL SESSIONS and AMP FIDDLER feat. DAMES BROWN // 7pm-8pm [RED BULL STAGE]
Returning to the Red Bull Stage after their first appearance two years ago, this exciting live performance features an array of talented instrumentalists in a way that pays tribute to Detroit’s musical history while also building new parts of its present and future.
Will Sessions is known as one of Detroit’s must-see live acts, having collaborated with the likes of Black Milk, Guilty Simpson, Eminem, and Danny Brown. They will be joined by Amp Fiddler, an established musician in his own right that has collaborated with legends such as Prince and George Clinton (he’s also credited with introducing the legendary J Dilla to his first MPC), and Dames Brown, a vocal group featuring 3 accomplished female entertainers with the ability to transcend genres while drawing inspiration from the likes of Motown and The Supremes.
SETH TROXLER // 8:30pm-10pm [MOVEMENT STAGE]
Known for his undeniable energy both behind the decks and beyond, Seth Troxler is no stranger to the Detroit techno scene. Coming in at #13 on Rolling Stone’s “25 DJ’s that Rule the Earth,” he’s obviously an international hit as well. His mixes have become sought after all around the world, and his Need I Say More event with Visionquest has been a staple of Detroit’s Memorial Day festivities for the last 12 years (R.I.P.).
Troxler has never been one to hold his tongue. His 2014 critique of EDM festival culture was both amusing and poignant, making waves across the world of electronic music and sparking intense debate. With that in mind, there is a reason why Troxler still performs at Movement. While longtime fans may cringe at some of the festival’s recent developments (get rid of the V.I.P. section on top of the pyramid, please), what has always made the festival is the energy and the people. Troxler’s critique was directed at organizers and artists, but also fans. The crowd is a big part of why people return to Hart Plaza every year, myself included.
Ø [PHASE] // 9:30pm-11pm [UNDERGROUND STAGE]
Whether it’s to hide from the rain, find (relatively) clean bathrooms or to cut through the crowd, most people will find themselves at the Underground Stage at one point or another. While the lineups have generally included music that doesn’t quite fit the normal Movement bill (who would’ve thought that Skrillex’s OWSLA label would curate a stage at the festival?) there are plenty of reasons to venture beneath Hart Plaza to experience the closest thing to a club setting that Movement has to offer.
Ø [Phase] is certainly one of those reasons. Originally a mixing engineer, Ø has been a part of the UK’s techno scene since the late 90’s. With a style ranging from gritty, minimal techno to more Detroit-influenced sounds. For fans of this particular brand of electronic music, including the people that brought me to my first Movement festival, this is a set not to miss.
NINA KRAVIZ // 10pm-12am [PYRAMID STAGE]
Once a prospective dentist, Nina Kraviz has become a prolific producer, DJ, and even vocalist. Founder of trip, Kraviz has become internationally recognized for her captivating musical work. Her affinity for acid is evident in her DJ selections, and her explanation is short and sweet: “It just feels right. Every time I listen to it, it’s like aliens have landed and are talking to me.”
Nina’s set at the Pyramid Stage on Sunday night is preceded by Marcel Dettmann, with whom she’s sharing a bill on Sunday night at the Masonic Temple. Originally hailing from Irkutsk, Serbia, and currently living in Berlin, American fans will surely appreciate the opportunity to see this renowned international guest live, and with good reason.
LOCO DICE b2b MARTINEZ BROTHERS // 10pm-12am [MOVEMENT STAGE]
Headlining Movement Stage on Sunday night is a powerhouse back-to-back set courtesy of Loco Dice and the Martinez Brothers.
Loco Dice has been described as having a cinematic approach to life and music, embracing his vivid imagination that manifests itself through DJ sets, art shows, and more. The Bronx-born Martinez Brothers, who grew up on a love for Paradise Garage via their father, have been taking the international stage by storm since they were the ages of 15 and 17, respectively.
During back-to-back sets, it’s essential that both participating acts have a strong familiarity with the other’s style and tendencies. “You cannot plan it, and you should not plan it,” said Loco Dice, “…that’s the great thing about playing back-to-back…but it should be guys who know each other for a long time before you put them on a big stage like Movement.”
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