Seattlest Goes to Detroit, Thinks About Home

Over the three-day weekend, Seattlest headed to Detroit for our annual techno pilgrimage at Movement, commonly referred to as the DEMF (Detroit's Electronic Music Festival). It's an almost Bumbershoot-scaled version of our own Decibel, with thousands swarming from the area and around the world for a weekend filled with music and partying.

As always, this year's lineup supplied something for almost every fan of electronic music, not just the techno diehards. From the delicate tech-house of Kate Simko or the sublime shoegazey ambiance of Seattle's own The Sight Below to the bombastic misogyny of the Electrobounce showcase or the bangin' techno of veterans Octave One, there was enough variety that you never felt limited to any one sound as you wandered the festival's four stages. That accessibility brought out all kinds, and during the day it seemed that Movement was regaining some of the inclusiveness that it lost when it began charging for attendance. At night, as always, the ravers arrived en masse, but even the silly glowsticking wasn't too annoying this year.

The official festival was only half of the experience. Every night at the festival's close at midnight, festival-goers headed out into nearby clubs for more partying, seeing the day's talent in a darker, more drunken club or warehouse setting. Highlights this year included the spectacular live debut of Boston's Voodeux, whose "spooky techno" certainly doesn't scare the dancefloor and Cassy, whose track selection remains infinitely sexy and intelligent. In a case of parties for the ages, the I'm On a Boat party Sunday night stacked talent on three floors (Detroit veterans Carl Craig and Stacey Pullen, festival headliners Loco Dice & Luciano, and the heads of the Innervisions label, Dixon, Henrik Schwarz, and Âme), then put them on a boat on the Detroit River. They were truly epic times, improved only by our late-night White Castle runs.

For as much fun as we had, we spent a lot of time thinking about our own Decibel, worried whether our own little-festival-that-could would be able to bring the same joy into our lives this year. The fact is, festivals like this aren't cheap and the depressed economy doesn't help fundraising, even as a non-profit. Movement has the benefit of being held in the birthplace of techno, while Decibel is isolated in our corner of the world without the same cachet. We have no doubts that things will come together (they always do), but our trip to Detroit ultimately reminded us that while traveling is fun, we also need to remember the fun we can have within stumbling distance of home. Detroit, you treated us well, but now it's time to focus our energy here in Seattle. At least until next Memorial Day weekend anyway.

A slideshow of images from the festival can be found after the jump.

Movement, Detroit's Electronic Music Festival is held every year in Detroit. Carl Craig has been announced as creative director for next year's edition.

The Decibel Festival is going to be held in Seattle from September 24-27. Donations can be made via Shunpike.