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10 Artists to Check Out at Movement Detroit 2014

A guide to checking out some of the festivals best acts for the new techno enthusiast.

With only days to go until Detroit's historical Movement Electronic Music Festival, it's time to get familiar with some of the festivals top talent. The festival boasts 150-plus acts from around the world, from Action Bronson to Pete Tong, Jacques Greene to Tiga and Kode 9 to Seth Troxler. The festival is located on the water at Detroit's Hart Plaza, and even when you're across the pond (lake) in Windsor, you can hear the festival's bass thumping in the air. Here are some of our picks from this year's absolutely massive Movement Detroit 2014 lineup.

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Andrés
Day: Sunday May 25th
Stage: Made in Detroit Stage
Why: Andrés is the son of an original player on Detroit's jazz scene who performed with Santana. He used to work at Detroit's legendary record shop, Buy-rite Records, with Moodymann and some of his early productions were in Amp Fiddler's home alongside none other than J Dilla. Andrés and Moodyman still work together to this day and Andrés' history proves his set will be something of classic Detroit sound.

Bicep
Day: Sunday May 25th
Stage: Moog Stage
Why: From a production standpoint, the London-based duo Matt McBriar and Andy Ferguson have their sound down to something that can be described as Chicago house and disco groove with classic Detroit percussion—obviously the perfect fit for this outdoor festival.

Metro Area (LIVE)
Day: Saturday May 24th
Stage: Red Bull Music Academy Stage
Why: Veteran producers Morgan Geist and Darshan Jesrani are Metro Area and together the two make beautiful music that channels disco and boogie with a modern house vibe. They take soulful, groovy classics and their live set mixes these classics with new electronic instruments. It can be described as Detroit futurism with warm deep house of early '90s New York. Don't miss this rare live set.

Green Velvet
Day: Saturday May 24th
Stage: Beatport Stage
Why: If there is one thing to be said about Green Velvet, he is truly a performer. The man who created "Shake and Pop" often communicates with his audience while DJing. If you're reading this and you don't know who Green Velvet is then please stop now and sell your ticket to Movement.

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Carl Cox
Day: Monday May 26th
Stage: Red Bull Music Academy Stage
Why: Carl Cox is easily one of the most talked about acts at Movement Electronic Music Festival this year—for a good reason. Making his return first return to Movement since 2009, Intec Digital label boss and legend is known for his upbeat house and techno sets with driving bass-lines and a hint of darkness. Be sure not to miss his smiling face mixing in anything from bouncy '80s house into hard-hitting kick drums.

Tiga
Day: Monday May 26th
Stage: Beatport Stage
Why: Tiga is Turbo Records Label head and is one of the funniest people on the internet. From opening DNA Records in Montreal, to owning one of the busiest Canadian record labels. His set is sure to be filled with tough house tracks and darker techno vibes. He is Montreal born, so show some love for the legendary Canadian on the Movement lineup.

Kevin Saunderson presents: Origins
Day: Monday May 26th
Stage: Made In Detroit Stage (for the day, this stage becomes strictly Kevin Saunderson presents: Origins oriented)
Why: Kevin Saunderson moved to Detroit from Brooklyn as a teen and met the other Detroit techno pioneers: Derrick May and Juan Atkins. To this day, they are known as the Belleville three and they've made history in music. In 1987, Kevin worked on the project Inter City which later became Inner City. To this day the first release "Big Fun" is known as one of the most familiar and popular techno songs—it has sold over six million copies. This success did not deter him from the underground techno that he is known for to this day.

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Kevin Saunderson presents: Origins will not be a set to be missed as its illusive website describes it as "a celebration of the originators, torch bearers and next wave creators of techno…" This special stage will feature sets by Niko Marks, DJ3000, Kenny Larkin, Eddie Fowlkes, Octave One (live set), and a special B2B set with Seth Troxler.

Simian Mobile Disco
Day: Saturday May 24th
Stage: Beatport Stage
Why: Simian Mobile Disco was formed in 2005. James Ford (1/2 of the duo) is known for his production with a number of different artists (the Klaxons, the Arctic Monkeys, Peaches, Little Boots) and his extensive knowledge of production lends hand to his work in Simian Mobile Disco. They performed and recorded their new album live in Pioneertown, California at the end of April without a computer or racks. These guys know their shit and you should not miss this appearance.

Zeitgeber
Day: Sunday May 25th
Stage: Underground Stage
Why: Zeitgeber is the slightly experimental techno project by Lucy and Speedy J that will truly take you on a journey. Their Boiler Room set begins as something more experimental and minimal, and slowly catches a more pounding techno momentum. Debatably one of the most anticipated acts of the festival.

Underground Resistance presents TIMELINE (LIVE)
Day: Saturday May 24th
Stage: Red Bull Music Academy Stage
Why: They are described as the links in a musical chain that runs from past to present, Timeline is "high tech jazz for forward thinking music lovers." Combining elements of jazz and techno, Underground Resistance presenting Timeline will be one of the most important and historical acts of the entire festival. Consisting of Mad Mike (one of the founders of Underground Resistance alongside Jeff Mills), Jon Dixon (keyboard), DeSean Jones (saxophone) and DJ Mark Flash, this live experience at Movement 2014 will have the spirit of innovation with a hint of nostalgia.

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You can follow Serena's adventures in Detroit on her Instagram or Twitter: @serenapassion

Related stories:

GIVEAWAY: Tickets to Movement Detroit

Movement Reveals Official Stage Lineups

Sub.Culture Detroit: Movement Festival (Episode 1)