Electronic music fans celebrate Detroit’s heritage, influence at Movement festival

Detroit — Thousands traveled to the birthplace of techno music Memorial Day weekend to celebrate its Detroit heritage and influence at the Movement Music Festival.

“It’s one of those events that everybody in the city looks forward to every year to kick off the summer here in the city … contributing to the city’s art, culture, and legacy,” said Morin Yousif, a spokesperson for Paxahau, which is producing the event at Hart Plaza in downtown Detroit.

“Day 1 attendance was one of the best we’ve had in recent years, the excitement of the first day along with great weather were major contributors to this,” Yousif said.

The Movement Music Festival is one of the longest-running dance music events in the world, going back to the 2000s.

Micheal Leuffen of Berlin, Germany, was in town for work at Carhartt Work In Progress and decided to get a ticket to stroll around downtown Detroit during the festival. He took a photo of the statue in front of the Coleman A. Young building across the street.

“I’m very much linked to musicians in the city,” he said, adding that he’s been to the festival three times. “I’m coming from Europe, so we have a lot of electronic festivals, DJ-oriented festivals, but I think it’s one of the best in the U.S. and probably the only one where you attract so many people from abroad.

“I know also a lot of people from Germany who are also coming here. It’s really nice for the city as musicians from here say it’s their Christmas. It’s also linked to the heritage of music from Detroit. … And then you have all these little things happening around with new musicians, so it’s not only Movement, it’s the little parties that go around. It’s musically very interesting and true to the world,” said Leuffen, 53.

Kira Lesser, 39, and her partner Tyler Carr brought their young daughter to the festival from Ann Arbor. Carr has been coming to the event for 10 years.

“It’s house music. It’s Detroit. I listen to it. I make it. I used to be a DJ,” Carr said.

Salat Carrillo, 17, and her sister Sabrina, 26, booked a four-day trip to Detroit from Maryland to see their favorite DJ I Hate Models perform Sunday night.

“I think every region always dresses differently. I never been to a festival out here in Michigan. We always stay on the East Coast obviously, so I’m really excited to see what everyone wears,” Sabrina Carrillo said.

mjohnson@detroitnews.com

@_myeshajohnson