Detroit — Memorial Day is when the music stops at the city’s annual three-day electronic music festival.
But until it did Monday night, Travis Lapinski, 38, of Taylor said he planned on enjoying the event’s vibe.
„The atmosphere is the best,“ said Lapinski after snapping a picture of his sister, Holly Ford, and her young daughter, Harley, with his phone near the Dodge Fountain on Monday afternoon. „I’ve been to lots of festivals over the years, and I keep coming back to this one.“
Lapinski and the Fords were among the thousands who attended the festival at downtown Detroit’s Hart Plaza over the weekend. Monday, which was also Memorial Day, was the event’s last day.
He said he’s been coming to the Movement Music Festival since the beginning, when it was a free event. Lapinski, a project manager for Detroit Metro Airport’s baggage handling system, said he’s attended all three days of this year’s festival.
„It’s just the best,“ Lapinski said. „The people, the vibes, the energy, the DJs, great food. It’s literally the best you can do.“
He said this year is Harley’s first time at the festival. He conceded she wasn’t too fond of the protective headphones she was wearing. She seemed to enjoy the french fries, though.
Her mom, Holly, said she’s been coming to the festival for about a decade.
„I like the family and I like the fun,“ said Ford, 35, a billing claims specialist who is also from Taylor. „It’s a tradition.“
The Memorial Day weekend event is one of the longest-running dance music events in the world, going back to the 2000s. It draws 25,000 to 30,000 people on each of its three days: Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Prices ranged from $319 for a three-day general admission pass to $449 for a three-day VIP pass. Single-day ticketing options were also available.
The event has been produced by Paxahau, a Detroit-based music events management company, since 2006.
Detroiter Malkia Miller, 52, said she used to come to the festival when she was a Detroit police sergeant.
„It’s a lot different from when I was younger,“ she said. „And it’s different being on the other side. Now, I like to come, have fun, and hang out with my daughter.“
She said she and her daughter, Tristan Miller, 25, were at the festival to see Soul Clap.
Tristan Miller said she thinks the event is a lot of fun. And this year, it’s the first time she’s attended as an adult.
Her mother added: „Now she gets to have the full experience of Movement.“
Tristan Miller said she always liked the music at the festival. „And I like how everyone can be free and be cool with no judgment.“
This year, the Movement Music Festival featured 116 acts from across the electronic music spectrum on six stages. Detroit-born DJ Jeff Mills was the headliner on Saturday. Charlotte de Witte headlined Sunday and John Summit was to close the festival on Monday.
Other performers at the festival included Carl Craig and Moodymann, who played a joint set with Mike Banks; Jamie XX, Boys Noize; Zack Fox; A$AP Mob member Ferg; Sara Landry; Mau P; FJAAK; Nina Kraviz; HAAi; The Blessed Madonna; and Goldie with Photek.
Leah Balogh, 39, of Lansing was dancing to the beat near the Stargate Stage at the festival shortly after 3 p.m. Monday. She said she can sum up why she has loved coming to the festival for the last four years in one word.
Like Lapinski, she’s been at the festival every day this weekend. When asked if she was tired from dancing, she said: „A little.“
„For me, it’s the atmosphere,“ she said. „And I like the whole vibe and the people. It’s just something you have to experience to understand it.“
cramirez@detroitnews.com
@CharlesERamirez