Movement proves again Detroit is Techno city
Article written by and photos by Jordyn Ward
With a stacked lineup featuring artists like Sara Landry, DJ Holographic, HITECH, Zack Fox, John Summit, and more, Movement once again proves why Detroit is known as the home of techno. Year after year, the festival brings in artists with accolades under their belts, Coachella headliners, Grammy winners, and, in Zack Fox's case, a role on the hit show Abbott Elementary. But it doesn’t stop there. For decades, Movement has also served as a launchpad for young and up-and-coming talent, giving a spotlight and stage to Detroit DJs. This year’s standout locals included LOREN, Full Body Durag, and JMT. One thing Movement guarantees every year is an unforgettable party experience for techno lovers, newcomers, and veterans alike.
With a festival as packed as Movement, and multiple stages ranging from intimate to massive, getting any single stage to pop off is no small feat. But some artists pulled it off brilliantly, making what I like to call the “Biggest Backyard Functions” of the weekend. Qurl, a self-proclaimed “bass music queen,” lit up the legendary Stargate stage at 2 PM on Monday, warming up the crowd with electrifying mixes including a Sexy Redd drop that even had security getting loose. Meanwhile, known for their frequent B2B sets around Detroit, JMT and Full Body Durag delivered insane stage presence and high-energy ghettotech mixes that had the crowd—and maybe even your mom—acting up on a Sunday. These rising stars clearly have a bright future ahead.
Of course, the heavy-hitters drew fans from across the country and beyond. Detroit was blessed with a three-set streak from HITECH—the self-described “certified freaks”—who turned the Waterfront stage into a 2010s-style music video. They sprayed Hennessy into the crowd, jumped in to join the chaos, and transformed the space into their own wild party. It would not be an overstatement to call theirs one of the craziest sets of the weekend.
Then there was DJ Godfather, the legendary OG ghettotech icon, who reminded everyone why he’s revered in the community every time he touches the decks. And let’s not forget Zack Fox, the Boiler Room king, comedian, rapper, actor, and now DJ. From the moment he hit the stage, he set the tone for the rest of the day, cementing Monday at Movement as the Memorial Day party of the year. His diverse selections and turntable dexterity made his midday Waterfront set a clear weekend highlight.
And finally, the headliners: Jamie xx, John Summit, Sara Landry, Charlotte de Witte, Kevin Saunderson, and Carl Craig, some of the most renowned DJs in the world, drawing millions of listeners and diehard fans who’ll travel anywhere to chase the euphoric high of their sets. With that level of notoriety, it’s no surprise their performances packed Movement from the Waterfront all the way to the freeway, with festival-goers hungry to be part of something this monumental.
