North America’s biggest week in electronic music approaches. Here’s what you need to know.

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield has just declared this week as Detroit Techno Week. From May 20th through 26th, the Motor City will be awash with house, techno, electro and more as the international music community arrives for not just Movement Festival but also the dozens of off-site parties happening all week. With tons of options to suit all tastes, here’s a few of our recommendations.

Multi-Day Events

Always the main event, Movement Festival returns to Hart Plaza with an enviable lineup of over 115 acts. Highlights include live sets from Dopplereffekt and Blawan, b2bs from Eddie Fowlkes and The Martinez Brothers plus DJ Tennis and DJ BORING as well as sets from Overmono, Skream, Nastia, DJ Minx, Nia Archives and Voices From The Lake.

 
• The massive weekender Return to the Source is a multi-promoter affair at Tangent Gallery that gives Movement’s expansive lineup a run for its money. Highlights include Tresor‘s Saturday takeover with live sets from Surgeon and Underground Resistance; 90 minute sets from Carlos Souffront, Patrick Russell and more in the No Way Back room on Sunday; and a big batch of b2b sets on Monday.
 
• It’s always a good time in the house that Soul Clap built. House of EFUNK takes over TV Lounge with a two-day, three-stage bonanza featuring sets from salute, Nick León, Conducta, AceMo b2b Dj Sliink, Gabrielle Kwarteng, Jyoty and so many more.
 
• Experimental promoter Texture celebrates 10 years with a deeply impressive lineup of dance music’s finest freaks, weirdos and provocateurs at Marble Bar. Saturday includes sets from mad miran, Juliana Huxtable and Ben UFO, but Sunday is the real trip to outer space with Laurel Halo, Batu, Ben Bondy b2b Special Guest DJ, Mia Koden and a live set from the legend Jlin.

Wednesday, May 20th

Pianist, producer and composer Ian Finkelstein kicks off the festivities with an ear-cleansing palette of live jazz with his Freak Press night. This edition celebrates a brand new record from Finkelstein and Scott Grooves.

Thursday, May 21st

Can’t have a Movement week without the Godfather: Resident Advisor is hosting a free talk at TV Lounge with DJ Godfather about his favorite ghettotech records. Kyle Hall is the host with the most. Stick around afterward for some industry networking.

 
• FADE II BLACK is all about electro-punk mutations and dubby, hi-tech jazz. From Jay Denham to Search Party (AKA Max Watts, Kasan Belgrave, Julien P. & Allen Dennard), this lineup is all hits, no misses.
 
• New York disco and house specialists Razor-N-Tape bring the latest installment of their A Joyful Noise series to Spot Lite Detroit. John Beltran and Recloose head up a lineup of label artists alongside live instrumentation from JKriv and the Joyful Noise Band.
 
• Techno and oysters? Local crew THRG hosts a Memorial Day weekend kickoff party at Marble Bar with snacks. Sets from Bad Divas, Joshua Tree and DJ Good Evening will make the shellfish go down even sweeter.

Friday, May 22nd

San Francisco’s Endzeit pops up at Marble Bar with a stacked bill of techno avant-gardists. Live performances from Rrose as well as Feral and Spekki Webu are some of the highlights.

 
• Ash Lauryn and Stacey Hotwaxx Hale lead a groovy, Detroit-centric lineup at Northern Lights Lounge, courtesy of House is Home.
 
• Dolls Night and Blueprint host their new queer party, DREAMLAND, in a secret location. House heroines Kilopatrah Jones and Lady Blacktronika lead the parade.

Saturday, May 23rd

 DVS1 brings his Wall of Sound concept back to Bert’s Warehouse Theater, with the man himself taking command of the punishingly precise sound system alongside Claudio PRC, Traxx, Juana.

 
• UFO Bar is greeted with Chicago footwork royalty DJ Manny on the throne alongside DJ Phil and Nanoos.
 
• Northern Lights Lounge brings in acid house godfather DJ Pierre to headline its Subsonic night, with sets from acid freaks Posthuman and a raft of skilled locals, including Garrison XR and Father Dukes.
 
• Eris Drew, Kiernan Laveaux and Lauren Flax join 313 natives Mike Servito and Tammy Lakkis at a trans-forward rave that’s sure to be magical.

Sunday, May 24th

 D-Life celebrates 10 years at MotorCity Wine with 12.5 hours of house music from DJ Spinna, DJ Lady D, Marcellus Pittman b2b Maurice Fulton and more.

 
• Movement weekend isn’t Movement weekend without Theo Parrish. The legend plays an extended set at Lincoln Factory.
 
• Locals showcase Low Tide at Moondog Cafe goes subnautical with sets from Josh Dunn, Kenjiro, saylem celeste and Pablo R. Ruiz among others. Plus, catch Shigeto, Ahya Simone and more musicians playing with Salākastar and The Afro-Presence Ensemble.
 
• Want to make it to Monday? Restore your energy at Nancy Whiskey. Deep house legend Patrice Scott and acid techno specialist Overland lead the way.

Monday, May 25th

 Anthology brings together Fadi Mohem, Rødhåd, Ignez and Polygonia for a five-hour live techno set at Bert. David Castellani and Wata Igarashi support.

 
• Miami’s Where Are My Keys party returns to Motor City after five years, taking over 3fifty Terrace. Egyptian Lover plays a hybrid live set while Miami bass masters Danny Daze and Jubilee rep the 305. Don’t miss the Slow Jams Deck on the roof for 100 percent vinyl goodness.
 
• Catch Shaun J. Wright spinning a techno set and Hieroglyhic Being playing live at Mizz Softee underground rave with local party The Pick Me Up.

Tuesday, May 26th

 For the true endurance athletes, New York legends Joey Beltram and Frankie Bones head up the annual Coda closing party at Bookies.

 
• Detroit Vinyl Room‘s new party GLOW closes out the weekend at Third Street Bar with sets from Rick Wilhite, DJ Psycho and a whole lot more Detroit OGs. Delano Smith begins the day with a 7 AM sunrise set with the party powering through the entire day until 2 AM. Photo: Jacob Mulka.
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