Movement Detroit: Out of This World Oneness and Universal Unity

According to the Gaia Theory of the 1970s, Earth is a single, self-regulated, sentient organism. Unity Consciousness takes the idea a step further. Simplistically speaking, it sees the entirety of the Multiverse as one infinite, unending entity. In many ways, Detroit's miraculous Movement Electronic Music Festival is a microcosm of these concepts, reminding us all of our congenital connectedness. For three magical days in May, festival-goers from around the globe come together like astral atoms to form one functional being, firing on all celestial cylinders. The music merely serves as a catalyst, creating opportunities for cosmic connections and enigmatic experiences to occur. Being that the spirit and soul of every single person to populate Hart Plaza is a piece of the proverbial puzzle, we found it only appropriate to survey those who attended the annual affair in order to encapsulate and epitomize the essence of the event. It can certainly be said that Movement is as great as the sum of its parts, and that's precisely why it remains unparalleled.

Responses rolled in for our survey from across the country, giving a well-rounded representation of what Movement means to the many who made their way to the musical Mecca over Memorial Day. Whether they've been every year since its inception, or only just got their first taste of Technotown USA, there was a unanimous sense of community associated with the weekend. Beloved characters like Granny Techno and Disco Vest Dude are annual fixtures we all look forward to seeing, members of our extended festival family. For many, it is one of very few annual opportunities to dance and romance with friends from around the globe, anticipated eagerly for 362 painstaking days. Many respondents cited memories made and special moments shared with friends as their personal highlight, as opposed to a particular performance. Sheena from Metro Detroit tells us, “Movement is more than a music festival. It's a reunion. Every time you turn around you see someone you know.” Miranda from Los Angeles says “I connected with friends old and new through the medium of music.” She goes on to describe Movement as “the best festival in the United States. It leaves you inspired and recharged.”

Kevin Saunderson

The innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of the Motor City is contagious. Many in the music industry leave Movement with a revived appreciation for their craft, ready to grab more gear and create with a newfound focus. Jose from Detroit came out of the weekend motivated to start his own clothing line. Lisa from Detroit, who has attended and been uplifted by the event every single year, told us “I come home with my heart and soul refreshed at the liveliness and ability to share Detroit [with others]. I always vow to do and live better.” Back for his second dose of Detroit, Dale from Los Angeles agrees, saying “the festival replenishes my musical soul.” Maggie from Metro Detroit told us, “My whole world in music aligned with what I have been doing for the past 18 years into what my future will be. I have decided to start a whole new business in this industry.”

When prompted to pick three words to describe the event, attendees used such adjectives as spiritual, life-changing, utopian, healing, transcendent and transformational. Regardless of where they may reside, the city was welcoming to all, making everyone feel absolutely at home in and around Hart Plaza. Remarkably, nothing about the festival feels forced, as the Detroit experience was further depicted as organic and genuine. While there are always a handful of locally-made art installations around the grounds, and a few of the stages are equipped with LED walls for visuals, the focus really remains on the music. The understated setup allows for an atmosphere in which the audience's soul is able to awaken through the acoustics. Of note, there wasn't a single arrest at this year's event. Authorities are truly there to oversee safety, enabling harmony, freedom and expression to be felt and actualized.

The Good-Time Lighthearted Lean Peaks -- Patrick Ethan, Ellen Rutt, Allen Sedghi, Eiji Jimbo, Simon Anton & Rachel Mulder

In addition to advice like packing ear plugs, pacing yourself, getting some sleep, and drinking lots of water, attendees had some wise words they wished to impart. Ahlam from Metro Detroit implores you to “Free yourself from the experience you are trying to have.” Linda from Detroit urges you to “Consider going by yourself – it's an amazing experience when you can just float where you want at will, without being worried about what 'the group' wants to do.” Cole from Detroit says “Go with the flow. Don't plan ahead.” With so much to see between the five stages and nonstop after parties, don't be afraid to go against the grain, check out someone you haven't heard of, and feel free to get lost in a set, even if it means sacrificing another on your schedule. Not sure where to go? Many respondents mentioned the Made in Detroit Stage as never failing them, hosting many of the festival's most favored sets, including Golf Clap, Mike Huckaby, and Kevin Saunderson b2b Seth Troxler.

Golf Clap

Another beautiful thing about Movement is the lack of conceit amongst the crowd. Despite being in a sea of, arguably, some of the snobbiest when it comes to the sounds, the elitism doesn't extend beyond the music. You're much more likely to hear murmurs about the track selections and the mixing itself than paltry opinions of the people around you. In a past interview, Ted Krisko of Ataxia summed it up sublimely when he said Movement “is an ego-leveler, and everyone that is under the umbrella of our music scene gets to come together for one reason, and that is to have a giant dance party with amazing music.” VIP passes are primarily purchased for the access it allows to amenities like proper bathrooms and additional places to perch, rather than being seen as a sort of status symbol or hierarchy. Hart Plaza is for the heads, and any sense of entitlement is left at the gate.

Josh Dupont, Maceo Plex & Gabe Sandler

Asked to describe any especially synergistic experiences, “the whole weekend” was not an uncommon response, some claiming they had “too many to name.” The weekend makes wildly evident the wavelengths on which we operate. Despite being amidst over 100,000 people, it's not unusual to look around during a set and find yourself standing next to the same person you struck up a conversation with at another stage on another day. Connections are made and friendships are fostered.

Leaving it to fate tends to be the best way to ensure you'll see your friends at the festival. Says Beatrice from Los Angeles, “I didn't even have to look for my friends. It seemed that the people I wanted to see just showed up at all the right times.” Andrew from the suburbs of Detroit shared an anecdote with us that really puts it in context, “I was sending my friend a text message to tell her it was pointless for us to try to meet up, and that if we are meant to find each other we will. As I tried to come up with the right way to word it, I looked up. At that exact moment, my friend walked past me. My point had proven itself without even having to hit send.”

Dixon & DJ Tennis at Old Miami

Miracles, magic and manifestations are just as much a mainstay of Movement as the impeccable music. It's the annual pilgrimage that proves time and again that Detroit is someplace special, and the locals are proud to share it with those who come with open minds and hearts. It's where we “leave our troubles on the dancefloor,” are reminded to “do what you love” and feel truly “connected to the universe.” Like the serendipitous cells of one creature, we create our own dreamworld for three days, where the improbable is all too possible, the whimsical is welcomed, and music provides the foundation for the truly fantastical. Who needs hype and hyperbole when you can have all that inherently?

Tale of Us

Green Velvet

BMG

Ataxia

Golf Clap

Secrets

Move D

Julio Bashmore & Bicep

Julio Bashmore

DJ Dez Andres

Malik Alston feat. Javant Garrett

Malik Alston feat. Badriyyah Sabree, LaRae Starr, Javant Garrett, Gabe Gonzales, Sean Blackman, Buzz Fiddler & Keith Beber

Malik Alston feat. Keith Beber