Movement is just days away, and while more than a hundred artists will descend upon the festival itself at Hart Plaza, many more will spread out across Detroit to play parties of all shapes and sizes. The options can seem a little overwhelming, so here is our roundup for a Memorial Day weekend full of non-stop music.
The official festival starts Saturday, but as usual, early arrivals to Detroit will have plenty of options to choose from on Friday. A few day parties are in order: Radio Slave will headline Radio Skool, a rooftop birthday party for the Rekids boss at Exodus Lounge that also features Catz 'N Dogz and Detroit's own Stacey Pullen. Those looking for even more local acts can head to Bookies Tavern, where Detroit's Bang Tech 12 crew will celebrate 15 years of parties with a TBA lineup and free admission all day and night. Meanwhile, the minds behind Chicago club Smart Bar will take over TV Lounge starting at 6pm for a BBQ, with beats supplied by Akufen, a grip of Smart Bar residents and a Beretta Music showcase Luke Hess and Brian Kage.
Later that night, Oslo will host Paxahau's sold-out official opening party, with Cassy and Kate Simko sharing headlining honors. At Taste Pizzabar, Benoit & Sergio will lead the way for a party that also celebrates the launch of local promoter sin-de-kat's new vinyl label, Coyote Cuts. An extremely intimate night can be had at Motor City Wine (capacity: 60) where local legend Carl Craig shares the bill with a longtime contributor to his Planet E imprint, Recloose. And finally, a weekend tradition: Detroit's DJ Surgeon will take over the decks at Foran's Grand Trunk Pub for this year's version of Hump: Festival Foreplay.
Besides the sold-out Floating Frequencies boat party with Bill Patrick and No Regular Play on Saturday afternoon, the afterparty fun kicks into high gear Saturday night after the festival. RA will host CLR Detroit 2011 at Elysium Lounge, with hard-hitting techno spread over two floors; Chris Liebing and Speedy J will perform together as Collabs, and Marcel Dettmann will also man the decks as part of a lineup with more additions to come. The Works will once again be home to I Love You But I've Chosen Techno, an all-night bash that promises to last until 7:00am. Exclusive appearances from Robag Wruhme and Maceo Plex (playing live), along with sets from Justin Martin, Matt Tolfrey and No Regular Play, top a bill featuring well over a dozen acts. Premium Resto Lounge will prove that Mobilee Loves Detroit, with Anja Schneider showcasing her Berlin-based label with help from Sebo K, Pan-Pot and Dan Curtin.
Legendary Ibiza party crew Circo Loco have a long night planned at TV Lounge with Jamie Jones, Cassy and Visionquest among many others. Oslo will host Mindshake in Motorcity, an official afterparty with Paco Osuna, Kabale und Liebe (playing live) and Detroit's own Daniel Bell. Meanwhile, 1515 Broadway hosts the third annual Deep Detroit party, with Omar-S and Kai Alce leading the charge on the decks. Those looking for a harder dose of techno should head to the Nightsneak party at Bert's Warehouse Theater, where UK veteran Dave Clarke will make a rare stateside appearance with Umek and Roni Size. Back at Exodus, the third annual edition of Now in Stereo will host two nights of house music, beginning with Chicago's Ron Trent on Saturday night, while John Acquaviva presents Definitive, the sounds of his own label, at Bleu. Undoubtedly one of the night's most titillating options is Control, Richie Hawtin's first warehouse-style party in Detroit since 2002. Produced in collaboration with Paxahau, the event takes at City Club, and bills Magda alongside the Minus founder.
Sunday offers a few more daytime options. At Old Miami, The Grass is Greener with Auxetic hosting its fifth annual all-female lineup. With Minx, Kate Simko and K.atou on the bill, wake up early (or stay up late) because this one is set to go from 7:00am to 3:00pm. An early evening poolside bash, Sink or Swim, will happen at the MGM Grand from 6:00pm to midnight; bring your swim attire and take a dip to the sounds of Sebo K and Eddie C.
For some nighttime action, The Works will be home to /deteksupport/, a multi-room bash with some two dozen artists led by a headlining live/DJ set from Heartthrob and Butane. Camea will have her Clink crew on hand, while New York's Resolute outfit has KiNK performing live and Sammy Dee DJing. At City Club, M.A.N.D.Y. and Tiefschwarz will Get Physical while Craig Richards, Matt Tolfrey and John Johr headline the second room. Oslo hosts Wolf + Lamb and Soul Clap for the Motor City Edition of their worldwide DJ Kicks tour; W+L artists Tanner Ross, Slow Hands and Nick from No Regular Play round out the lineup.
Also on Sunday night: Dirtybird Detroit at Bleu, an official afterparty with Claude VonStroke and his San Francisco label crew. Another late-night jam can be had at Magic Stick with Suggestive Behavior, a three-room party headlined by Lee Foss and Maetrik. Courageous techno veterans may be intrigued by Too Far Gone... No Way Back, a 12-hour event at Bohemian National Home led by Detroit-Berlin transplant Derek Plaslaiko and featuring Sal Principato and Cheap And Deep Productions. And last but not least, the third edition of I'm On A Boat: at the helm of this year's late-night party aboard the Detroit Princess is Sven Vath and Ricardo Villalobos.
If you're still standing come Monday, a few more off-site parties will keep you busy until your head finally hits the nearest pillow. After an infamous debut event on Sunday in 2010, Shit Show 2 moves to Monday this year, starting at 3:00am. With Metro Area topping a list of almost 30 acts, guests should expect "20 straight horrifying hours" to lead the push into Monday night. And as usual, Old Miami will host Need I Say More, the all-day Monday tradition now in its 6th year, which will open at 7:00am with Visionquest, Ryan Elliott, Benoit & Sergio and more. One last nighttime party can be had at Hot Natured Detroit, with Magda playing a disco set, and Jamie Jones and Lee Foss taking over the decks together.
