The biggest story of this year’s Movement: Detroit’s Electronic
Music Festival is that there was no story. The annual Memorial Day
weekend event has been plagued by organizational and financial
drama almost every year since its 2000 inception. This year, by
contrast, was calm, giving organizer Paxahau enough time to put
together a green initiative and provide attendees with the luxury of
focusing on the music.
Things started slowly with lackluster sets from Efdemin and
Ryan Elliot at the official Friday preparty. Despite Efdemin’s
obvious house appreciation (see “Just a Track”), he stuck with
inoffensive, directionless techno, the first disappointment of the
weekend. Even Guys on Drugs‘ darker tunes in the basement were
marred by technical problems, diminishing the grungy vibe.
The next day, procrastinators were rewarded early by avoiding the
lengthy will-call line. The party started at the underground stage with
Minx and Mike Grant and over on the Beatport stage with
Alland Byallo, but things stayed largely mellow until nightfall
on the main stage, with a steady build from Deepchord‘s dubby
techno in the afternoon through Half Hawaii and DBX‘s
gear-driven performance. Moby‘s amped-up set included his
classic “Go,” and thankfully stayed far from the mediocrity of his
latest album. The day’s highlight was Deadmau5, who lived up to
the hype of being Beatport’s top seller, picking up where James Holden
left off years ago in removing the cheese from progressive
music.
M_nus‘ afterparty featured the label’s highest-profile
artists in what was billed as one huge jam session. In reality, it was
just a few collaborations, but Paco Osuna‘s extended set in the
lower room demonstrated all that is right with minimal techno, with
just the right mix of headiness and dance-floor bump. Not even
Richie Hawtin could top Osuna, despite the hero worship.
Sunday, Seattle’s own Lawnchair Generals brought the
Flammable vibe to “the D,” opening for Miles Maeda and Mark
Farina, mixing West Coast house with acid, Chicago, and Detroit
tracks. Osuna repeated his crowd-slaying performance while
Punisher lived up to her name on the underground stage, followed
by Kenny Larkin‘s “all things Detroit” set. Electrohouse
superstar Benny Benassi brought out the club crowd, packing the
Pioneer tent. His audience carried its rowdy energy to Carl
Craig‘s set, crowd-surfing and fighting during the jazz-leaning
live performance, almost enough to ruin an otherwise sublime
experience. At the Underground Resistance afterparty, Mark
Flash‘s ballistic set reinforced the crew’s militant
reputation.
By Monday, people were dragging themselves around the festival
grounds, but Cassy‘s midafternoon deep-house set inspired even
the achiest bodies to move. Par Grindvik struggled to keep that
energy up leading into Cobblestone Jazz‘s jam session. The day’s
defining moment came during Paul Ritch‘s set, when the skies
momentarily opened up. The main stage cleared as people moved to dry
ground, but in minutes, a fresh crop of dancers embraced the rain,
renewing Ritch’s enthusiasm. The resurgence powered through the night,
with Dubfire earning his post–Deep Dish praise, Kevin
Saunderson playing to the crowd, and Speedy J closing out
the festival to Scott Pagano‘s inventive visuals.
As thousands departed for one last night of afterparties, it was
evident that Paxahau has seemingly done the impossible: transform the
DEMF into a smoothly run festival.
•••
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Moby‘s appearance on Sunday
at Neumo’s. On the one hand, it’s Moby, the same guy who mastered the
art of selling out, licensing his entire Play album for
marketing. Yes, he was a bit insufferable for a while, and no, his new
album isn’t that great. But he’s still freakin’ Moby, the one lasting
face from when “electronica” was the next big thing. If you’re looking
to relive your rave days, look no further.
Taking advantage of the weather, SAM is hosting a special edition of
their Remix series on Friday, with resident DJ Kid Hops and
SunTzu Sound taking over the Olympic Sculpture Park for a party
until the sun goes down. Let’s hope it’s not the only party of its type
to go down in that wonderful space. 
Moby plays Sun June 8, Neumo’s, 8 pm–2 am,
$15, 21+. Sold out.
SAM’s Remix is Fri June 6, Olympic Sculpture Park,
6 pm–midnight, $5, 21+.