MOVEMENT MUSIC FESTIVAL 2024 @ HART PLAZA, DETROIT
HIROKO YAMAMURA
MONDAY MAY 27, 2024
It is the last day of Detroit’s Movement Festival. After yesterday afternoon’s thunderstorm wash out and truncated schedule, the legions are out in full force, trying to catch up, in the cool and blustery aftermath of yesterday’s lightening.
Hiroko Yamamura, a renowned (and revered) figure in the electronic music scene, has made her mark as both a prolific producer and an influential DJ. With roots in Chicago’s vibrant underground, she has consistently pushed the boundaries of techno and house music. Yamamura’s dynamic sets, characterized by their seamless blend of classic and contemporary sounds, have captivated audiences worldwide. As a producer, her innovative tracks have garnered critical acclaim, showcasing her deft skill in crafting intricate beats and immersive soundscapes.
A large crowd had gathered as Azzecca concluded her set and hugged it out with Yamamura. The audience let out a loud cheer and the set was on.
What followed was a steady stream of cascading kickdrums and musical rope-a-dope that blended from one track to the next, as if the music had been put in a blender, releasing its euphoric mixture in the air. A little of Mike Huckabee’s “The Tresor Track” here and Floor Plan’s “Baby, Baby” there, punctuated by gritty tracks like HI-LO & Eli Brown’s “Ride Or Die” creates a tasty musical smoothie. The crowd drank up this frothy mixture, blending with themselves and dancing themselves warmer.
Yamamura has that “it” factor that separates the great DJs from the good ones. It is more than some hackneyed parlour trick to have the audience in the palm of your CDJ. It’s the story told in vibe, attitude and lyrical content that draws you in. You may not even know it, but you love this story.
(Photography by Paul van der Werf)