If club kids had their own holiday calendar, then Detroit’s Movement is techno Christmas. Once a year, rave crews from all over America congregate in dance music’s homeland for a long weekend of spiritual renewal and self-indulgence. There are boat parties. Fireworks. Daytime BBQs. Nighttime rendezvous.
And, as in everything in life, the best moments are often unexpected—like when I stumbled into Moodymann’s home last year after hanging outside the Underground Resistance headquarters, or watched a DIY play about Detroit’s musical history after someone handed me a flyer.
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But serendipity only goes so far. In order to get the most out of Detroit’s booming post-festival party scene, you have to know where to look.
Below, we culled together all the best events—from 14-hour modular synth marathons to an experimental noise festival to hardcore gay raves—into one handy party chart. See you in the D.
THURSDAY, MAY 25
Who: R Gamble, Sublimate (Turtle Bugg & Sagotsky), Olga
Where: Leland Social Club
When: 10PM-4AM
Detroit’s Joey 2Lanes teams up with Brooklyn’s Sublimate crew and friends for a cozy pre-party geared towards “techno cowboys and ambient cowgirls.” Guaranteed to be a homies-only vibe.
2. Marble Bar presents: Juan Atkins, Claude Young / Metroplex Night
Who: Juan Atkins, Claude Young, + a “very special guest”
Where: Marble Bar
When: 8PM-2AM
Juan Atkins founded Metroplex in 1985, and the label has played an integral role over the last three decades in transmitting Detroit techno to Berlin and beyond. Co-hosted by Deep Space Radio, this label showcase is for the old-school heads.
FRIDAY, MAY 26
3. Eden III: Feat. SHXCXCHCXSH, Phase Fatale, Patricia, Volvox, Umfang, Jasen Loveland
Who: SHXCXCHCXSH, Phase Fatale, Patricia
Where: Tangent Gallery
When: 9PM-4AM
Swedish techno duo SHXCXCHCXSH kicks off their US tour with a choice lineup of supporting acts, including Detroit up-and-comer Jasen Loveland. Murky techno for the cerebral set.
4. Smartbar Movement opening party + BBQ
Who: Derek Plaslaiko b2b Jason Kendig, DJ Minx, Chrissy
Where: TV Lounge
When: 6PM-4AM
Chicago meets Detroit at Smartbar’s annual Movement takeover, which has become a tradition in itself. The cincher: FREE BBQ. Need we say more?
5. Physical Therapy III
Who: Matthew Dear, Shigeto, Mike Servito
Where: Marble Bar
When: 6PM-4AM
Matthew Dear, Mike Servito, and Shigeto planted their roots in Michigan before making it on the global stage. Here, the three DJs—all of Asian descent—will be joined by Laurel Halo, Carlos Souffrant, and many others. Come for the Slayzians, stay for the Ghostly squad.
6. Blank Code + SYSTEM + Communion Official Movement Pre-Party
Who: Alessandro Cortini (live), Black Asteroid, Jay Denham
Where: The Works
When: 5PM-6AM
Longtime Detroit promoters Blank Code and Communion join Minneapolis’ System and California’s BL_K NOISE for a night of modular synths, and noisy experimental sounds. As an RA commenter put it, bring a helmet to this one.
7. Trip Metal Fest
Who: Wolf Eyes, Pharmakon, Container
Where: El Club
When: Friday-Sunday, 6PM-Midnight
Less of an “afterparty” and more of an entire mini-festival in itself, Wolf Eyes’ celebration of the Mid-Western experimental scene is back after the success of last year’s debut. The three-day event is no longer free but “pay what you want”—which might not look as good on a billboard ad, but is still a pretty damn good deal.
SATURDAY, MAY 27
8. The Belleville Three & Richie Hawtin @ the Masonic Temple
Who: The Belleville Three, Richie Hawtin, Derek Plaslaiko
Where: The Masonic Temple
When: 11PM-4AM
Atkins, May and Saunderson throw down with Hawtin and Plaslaiko at the Masonic Temple’s giant ballroom, forming a celebrity super-group that will vanquish the enemy: fist-pumping techno bros. Hopefully.
9. Detroit Love @ the Magic Stick
Who: Carl Craig, Moodymann, Andres
Where: Magic Stick
When: 11PM-4AM
Throw yourself into the arms of the delightfully eccentric, Prince-loving Moodymann, as well as Carl Craig and Andres, for a guaranteed good time. The O.G. Detroit vibes here are strong.
10. RBMA Presents: Soul Clap’s House of EFUNK
Who: Soul Clap, Biz Markie, Benoit & Sergio (live)
Where: TV Lounge
When: 10PM-12PM
When your soul starts to get weary from all the pummeling 4/4, Soul Clap’s 14-hour funk marathon is where you’ll go. Don’t miss hip-hop pioneer Biz Markie’s all-45″ DJ set and Scott Grooves’ new project, Overdubs.
11. Discwoman Detroit
Who: Shanti Celeste, Volvox, Umfang
Where: Grenadier Club
When: 10PM-6AM
Discwoman returns to Detroit with rising star Shanti Celeste, crew stalwarts Volvox and Umfang, and many others, bringing a much-needed wallop of techno feminism to a weekend still dominated by all-male lineups. 10 percent of proceeds from this party also benefit the Ruth Ellis Center, an organization for LGBT homeless youth in Detroit.
12. Tresor: Berlin/Detroit
Who: Marcellus Pittman, Ron Morelli, Claude Young
Where: Tangent Gallery
When: 10PM-7AM
Tresor teams up with Interdimensional Transmissions for a new party celebrating the deep connections between their two cities, Berlin and Detroit, with L.I.E.S. boss Ron Morelli, Intergalactic Gary, and many others. If you’re lucky, you might even see Tresor founder Dimitri Hegemann on the dancefloor—or quietly snoozing in a chair.
13. Texture
Who: Lena Willikens, Fred P, Mike Dunn
Where: Marble Bar
When: 10PM-11:59PM
If you’re going to marathon party, do it with the inestimable Cologne-based crate digger Lena Willikens, who joins New York house don Fred P and others at this 14-hour party hosted by longtime Detroit promoter Texture.
14. Tied presents: Detroit Boat Cruise with Daniel Bell
Who: Daniel Bell
Where: The Diamond Belle Boat
When: 1PM-4PM
Detroit’s Daniel Bell plays a three-hour set on this boat cruise by Chicago-based promoter Tied. If you like getting wavy to minimal techno, this one’s for you.
15. Deep Detroit
Who: Patrice Scott, Kai Alcé, Galcher Lustwerk
Where: The Studio Detroit
When: 10PM-5AM
Deep house and dusty techno grooves from Patrice Scott, Kai Alcé, and Galcher Lustwerk. Roll one up and roll through.
16. The Barge Movement Boat Party
Who: Worthy
Where: The Diamond Queen Boat
When: 12:30PM-4PM
Dirtybird’s Worthy headlines this 18+, booty-clapping boat party. Not for the faint of heart—or anyone over 30.
17. Club Toilet
Who: Aaron Clark, DJ Shiva, Ryan Smith
Where: Olympus Theater
When: 10PM-10AM
DJs from some of America’s top gay party crews, including Pittsburgh’s Honcho and LA’s Spotlight, are back for Movement’s filthiest afterparty. BYO toilet paper—you can thank us later.
Photo by Lyndon French
SUNDAY, MAY 28
Who: Claude VonStroke, Justin Martin, J.Phlip
Where: The Fillmore
When: 10PM-4AM
The Dirtybird crew is only doing one party in Detroit this year—and this is it. Mayhem guaranteed from the post-EDM, trap-loving set.
19. Country Club Disco + Fk A Genre
Who: Mija, Billy Kenny, Golf Clap
Where: The Annex
When: 10PM-4AM
OWSLA star Mija is the main reason to go to this official Movement afterparty, which will descend on a club that’s a short walk away from the festival grounds. She’s everything.
20. KMS 30
Who: Kevin Saunderson, Robert Hood/Floorplan, The Saunderson Brothers
Where: The Magic Stick
When: 11PM-4AM
Kevin Saunderson founded KMS in 1987, and the stacked lineup at its party this year is a testament to the celebrated techno label’s enduring influence. In addition to Robert Hood as Floorplan, Saunderson’s two sons, Dantiez and Damarii, will also be playing—techno fam at its realest.
21. Adam Beyer presents Drumcode
Who: Adam Beyer, Nicole Moudaber, Keith Kemp
Where: The Masonic Temple
When: 11PM-4AM
No dance festival afterparty scene is complete without some adrenaline-pumping Drumcode techno. This time around, label leader Adam Beyer is joined by perennial favorite Nicole Moudaber and Paxahau’s resident DJ Keith Kemp.
22. Night/Day Party w/ Omar-S, DJ Stingray & more
Who: Omar-S, DJ Stingray, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith
Where: El Club
When: 11:55PM-2PM
Once the Trip Metal kids have left for the night, underground venue El Club plays host to Detroit luminaries Omar-S and DJ Stingray, as well as Los Angeles-based modular synth wizard Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith. Not to be missed.
23. No Way Back
Who: BMG, Erika, Derek Plaslaiko
Where: Tangent Gallery
When: 11PM-12PM
Interdimensional Transmissions and The Bunker’s annual afterparty is perhaps the most anticipated gathering of America’s techno illuminati every year—and their 10th anniversary is guaranteed to be extra special. Don’t forget to stay for the turnover into Industry Brunch, when fresh fruit is served at daybreak.
Who: DVS1, Ø [Phase], Tommy Four Seven
Where: The Works
When: 9PM-9AM
DJs from Hush, Token Records, Blank Code, and other top techno joints join forces for this 12-hour romp.
25. ReSolute Goes Detroit
Who: Daniel Bell, Lauren Ritter, Connie
Where: Exodus Lounge
When: 7AM-7PM
Longtime New York rave crew ReSolute is doing a day party in Detroit this year with headliner Daniel Bell. Forgetting your sunglasses would be a big mistake.
26. OK, Cool!
Who: John Tejada, Honey Dijon, Danny Daze
Where: TV Lounge
When: 9PM-10AM
New York’s Honey Dijon makes her TV Lounge debut at this five-year anniversary of OK, Cool, joined by founders Dax Lee, Ted Krisko, and Mister Joshua. Sure to be a sophisticated affair.
27. Perfect Driver Loft Party
Who: DJ Godfather, Intermodal, ADMN
Where: The Claridge House
When: 10:30AM-5PM
Los Angeles-based house music and bass label Perfect Driver celebrates its fifth anniversary at an intimate loft party with free pizza and an open bar. We repeat: free pizza and open bar.
28. Dixon b2b Troxler
Who: Dixon b2b Seth Troxler
Where: Leland City Club
When: 10PM-6AM
Dixon b2b Troxler is basically catnip for the tech-house Ibiza-going crowd. This one’s already sold out, but maybe you could get in if you wore your blackest V-neck.
29. Onlythebeat presents: Shipfaced Detroit with Golf Clap
Who: Golf Clap, Eyes Everywhere, Imjustinbraun
Where: The Diamond Queen Boat
When: 12PM-3PM
Detroit house duo Golf Clap take the reigns at this boat party from dance music blog Onlythebeat. The salty sea air should do you some good.
MONDAY, MAY 29
30. Movement Official Closing Party
Who: Carl Cox b2b Joseph Capriati
Where: Masonic Temple
When: 11PM-4AM
Carl Cox is closing out Movement’s official closing party by sharing the decks with Italian techno don Joseph Capriati. Oh yes, oh yes!
31. Need I Say More XII
Who: TBA
Where: Old Miami
When: 7:15AM-7PM
Despite never announcing their lineup, Seth Troxler’s closing party at a dingy local dive bar is notorious for its long lines. The #1 destination for hardcore partiers with an infinite appetite for hedonism.
32. Memo presents Loefah, Hops & Monty Luke
Who: Loefah, Hops & Monty Luke
Where: El Club
When: 9PM-4AM
After a week of raving, submerging yourself in a sea of subwoofers and low-end vibrations at this new afterparty for the bass heads might count as self-care.
33. Interdimensional Transmissions presents: The Bunker
Who: Hot Mix (Mike Servito, Justin Cudmore, Gunnar Haslam), Antenes
Where: Tangent Gallery
When: 10PM-6AM
New York’s favorite techno boyband—Mike Servito, Justin Cudmore, Gunnar Haslam—get together as Hot Mix for this unmissable Bunker showcase.
34. Where Are MY Keys Detroit Edition
Who: Young Marco, Tim Sweeney, Honey Soundsystem
Where: Marble Bar
When: 9AM-6AM
Hosted by Beats in Space Radio, this function will be full of crate-digging house, disco, and other left-field specials from Amsterdam’s Young Marco, New York’s Tim Sweeney, and SF’s Honey Soundsystem.
35. Dirty Epic presents: Anthology 2017 with Stroboscopic Artefacts
Who: Lucy, Terrence Parker, Carlos Souffront
Where: The Works
When: 10PM-7AM
For everyone left standing on Tuesday morning, Lucy’s Stroboscopic Artefacts is where you go to prove you’re the hardest motherfucker out there.
36. Industry Brunch
Who: Shawn Rudiman, John Barera, FBK (live)
Where: Tangent Gallery
When: 12PM-9PM
Living up to its name, Industry Brunch is where you’ll meet techno crews rolling deep from all over the country while munching on strawberries at sunrise. Don’t sleep.
Michelle Lhooq is documenting her Detroit misadventures on Twitter
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