Honing in on some favorite moments at Movement Electronic Music Festival, what the mix guest is looking forward to, how they are preparing, and some tips for first-time attendees.
11.04.2022 // DJ Seoul
detroit.dance: What does Movement mean to you?
DJ Seoul: When I think of Movement, so many things immediately come to mind. Words like family, home, love and reunion come to mind, and that answers the personal nature of it, but it is so much more than that to me. Movement is everything! I’m very lucky to say that my world is full of excitement and adventure, but this is my most looked forward to event of the entire year. It’s so much more than just the world’s best festival in my hometown. It’s all the people and all the events and then of course the worlds best music for a week straight. The two years off has me really excited for this one and I am sure this is going to be the best one ever. Paxahau goes above and beyond in everything they do and has really made every year of Movement better than the last. I am looking forward to see all of the surprises they have planned.
detroit.dance: What are you most looking forward to this year?
DJ Seoul: No question, I am looking forward to seeing and hugging all of my friends from around the world that I haven’t seen in over 2 years. Times have been tough on every one of us and Movement is the perfect opportunity for all of us to get back together. For us, the festival week starts early on Monday as we start welcoming all of our European and Australian guests. Then as the weekend gets closer, the airport runs start piling up until it all kicks off with the secret Thursday event. That’s when it will all feel real again and Movement will officially have started for me.
detroit.dance: What is one of your favorite or memorable festival moments?
DJ Seoul: Favorite festival moment was at the first DEMF. I remember standing in the crowd on the final day and just looking around in awe. Seeing the blue sky around the RenCen and other skyscrapers and hearing Detroit Techno and surrounded by thousands of like minded people. I never thought something like that was possible. The feeling was different than partying in dark underground spots, but it was the same. On such a grand scale that it was truly overwhelming. The moment definitely made its imprint on me and stays with me to today. Because of the work started by Carol and Carl and Kevin and Derrick and then perfected and carried on by Paxahau, this feeling gets stronger and more solidified each year but that first moment on that first Memorial Day will forever be burned in my mind as one of my greatest memories ever.
detroit.dance: How are you preparing for your set this year?
DJ Seoul: This year I am playing a solo set, so it will be easier to prepare for. In the past at Movement, I have had to prepare for performing as the DTM 5×5, DTM2X4 and 313 the Hard Way. Those are all sets that include multiple people performing at once. Much more to prepare for than a solo set. When I perform, I never make a set ahead of time. At most I might pick out the first few records if I am trying to set a mood, but usually I decide what I am going to play and start with literally minutes before my start time. To do this, I prepare my bag of records well ahead of time to be able to have a few different starting ideas. This way I can match the crowd’s energy and the performer before me without disrupting the groove that is already in place, but also still playing my style of music. I also make sure to pack plenty of new music and old music that can fit any which way I feel like going at the time. It’s not hard to prepare but it is time consuming, so I will probably start that process a couple weeks before Movement starts but most of the packing will happen on the day before and day of the show.
detroit.dance: You’re a festival veteran – what have you learned over your years playing the festival?
DJ Seoul: I’ve been very lucky to have been asked to play so many times and I have learned so much. Always sound check. Be prepared for anything. Be mindful of the sun (for records and computers). Be ready for anything. Especially rain and wind and sometimes hail. It is Michigan weather. Most of all though, have fun. Its the city of Detroit and our music’s time to shine. Enjoy being able to play this music on this stage at this time and really really take it all in.
detroit.dance: About the well-loved BangTech/Bookies party – Talk a little about that & how it has evolved over the years / how long its been going.
DJ Seoul: The Bang Tech. What a great time every year. The anniversary event started in 2006 with the 10th anniversary event. It was a paid event at the Cary Building on Gratiot. Five stories, four massive sound systems, fifty plus DJs and live sets. That set the stage for years to come. Starting a couple years later, I partnered with Bookies (the old location in the Book Building) and we started making the event free every year. Now in 2022, it’s our 26 year Anniversary Event and it’s at the new Bookies on Cass Ave. Three floors, Four stages including a rooftop deck and over 50 DJs and Live acts. All for free going from 3pm-2am. Bang Tech 12 has grown so much over the past few decades and this is our way of getting all of us together under one roof at least once a year. It starts the Movement weekend off right for me each year and this year will be bigger than ever.
detroit.dance: What advice would you give someone that is a Movement first-timer?
DJ Seoul: My advice to first time Movement goers is this: start hydrating before the festival starts. Stay hydrated. Save your voice. If you yell too much on Saturday and don’t drink enough water, you will not have a voice on Monday. I’ve learned to not try and talk over the music as much so I can still talk after the festival. Another great tip is to plan out what you want to see and be ready to change that itinerary. There is an absurd amount of good music and there will be some great stuff that might catch your attention. Don’t get caught trying to see everything. Enjoy what you can and don’t worry about what you are missing. There are so many stages. You can’t see it all.
Bang Tech May 27th, 2022 : FB Event Link
Stay tuned for DJ Seoul’s mix dropping on Wednesday 4/13 @ 3:13pm!