How Can Techno Save Us?
Techno is black. Techno is brown. Techno is queer. Techno is Detroit. For four decades, a genre of music has represented communities who have had to save themselves and save each other. We’re at a point in our society where we all need to be saved somehow.
The journey to the Movement Music Festival, the Mecca of techno music, infused us within this living and breathing copacetic, indescribable magic. We had to ask as many of the artists as possible (and this lineup was bonkers big, full of all walks of life and sequential subgenres) in this ever-growing community, one question. “How can techno save us?”. From the concrete pyramid overlooking the international waters of the Detroit River, to the literal underground below the feet of tens of thousands of festival-goers above, the Stargate stage which seamlessly transports us through time, space, and the streets of Detroit, and every inch of Detroit’s incomparable Hart Plaza – plus the countless clubs, warehouses, and DIY venues, this is what they they had to say:
Ashton Swinton – “Techno has always been about community and uplifting marginalized people, queer and black, pushing that mantra out into the world will be great.”
DJ Holographic – “You save yourself. That’s how life is, there’s no way it’s going to come and save you, you have to do the inner work. Detroit is the very essence of saving yourself (Holographic is a Detroit native, btw), and techno is a clear sign of a system that was not meant for us to succeed – it’s a beautiful experience to be a part of that story and to build onto. To embody that, we can save others by getting them to know how beautiful, amazing, and divine they are.”
Hitech; MILF Melly (not pictured, sorry player) – “It can bring us together form all different walks of life – it can bring an understanding.” KING MILO – It gonna make you have to know somebody, you got know who you partying with… if you don’t, you’re probably ahead of the game, you’re open to having a good time with yourself and others who want to as well. It’s going to bring booty together!” 47CHOPS – “Bringing the people together, getting people moving in a time where people aren’t moving and getting people to love each other.”
Loren – “…we can take a moment to strip down what we all believe is the actually world and dissect where techno comes from and what been saved under the rug which is black culture and individualism that has been shut away from overseen of other people – we can take out egos away and actually be able to reliable there is as pace needed and demand for people who have dedicated their entire lives to are futurism and anew world without hate, judgment but with love and an idea and space to progress and travel thought time… at the end of the day, techno can join us ALL together in one space and transcend us…”
sillygirlcarmen – “It gives us a reflection of what is possible when we explore with innovation and determination. We can lead change and create long lasting influence on the next generation through music and art . Techno saves us by providing creative history and community.”
L A D Y M O N I X – “It can’t. The only thing that can save us is being thoughtful, considerate, and compassionate toward one another. And while i do believe music is therapy and heals us in certain moments, the work needs to be done within regardless of what genre you listen to. Be intentional. Be sincere ❤️”
RAEDY LEX – “Getting together with your community and joining forces to create something magical and impactful.”
DJ Cent – “It can unify us, that’s the one thing music always does – and by techno being the heart of what Detroit represents, it unifies us through that.”
AMDN – “Techno won’t save us by itself, but it reminds us how to be free. It creates space for release, connection, and expression in a world that often feels mechanical and disconnected. On the dancefloor, we come together without pretense-just rhythm, sweat, and soul. That kind of collective energy doesn’t just inspire us – it heals us.”
JEM – “Techno saves us from ourselves. It saves us from the worst versions of ourselves by reminding us that we are better than the negativity and darkness plaguing the world lately. Techno reminds us to focus on joy, beauty, happiness, and freedom. It reminds us that, put simply, love is the antidote. It saves us from ourselves by bringing out the best in ourselves.”
Whether we believe a music genre can actually save us or the footprint that created it and the people that keep it alive collectively can make for a better planet, there’s something to be said about humans who care about each other and have to create space where none has been allotted for them. The sound that shakes our soul and intertwines itself into the beat of the music, culture, and ultimately our hearts – it’s the culmination of the things so beautiful, revolutionary, and unifying, which birthed and evolves techno that can save us.
All photos by Matt Christ (@christmatt) except for the last gallery taken by the author (@curtiscam). All quotes are directly from the artist with consent.
Howdy! My name is Katy Atchison and I'm an Associate Editor for Broke-Ass Stuart.
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