Last year when I left the Detroit Electronic Music Festival (DEMF), I said that it was my last time attending. Basically, I grew tired of the same musty suburban kids dressed all weird & shit or barely dressed.
The music was good last year but I can only take so much electronic music. What happened to all the house & soul house? It was virtually not there last year.
Fast forward one year later & I found myself at Hart Plaza attending this year’s DEMF. And this is all after I applied for & was denied press access. I guess they didn’t Google my name, nor did they do my resume. Luckily, I have friends in many places.
So, the crowd was the same yet weirder & the music overall was not all that exciting. I was just like blah by the end of the one day that I decided to attend.
I mean, the people watching was even a turn off. I found myself not very motivated to photograph much. Funny thing is, the image above is my favorite image that I snapped out of all of the hours that I spent being DEMF Paparazzi.
On a total positive tip, the highlight of the time I spent was kicking it with some of my people, which is always fun.
Maybe I’m being a prude of some sort but I think I’m over the DEMF & I am renewing my vow on canceling it off of my events that need to be attended in Detroit list.
Next year, it will be all about the soul house after parties for me. If I’m going to spend money, I’d rather spend it listening to music I like while not dealing with a bunch of musty 20 somethings.
You can check out a few of my uninspired DEMF photos here.
Cynthia / June 2, 2010
Uninspired or not, these are still great pictures none the less. I guess that’s when you know you are a great photagrapher – when you can make really bad look really good. I love the guy with the goggles, but there was one photo that really distorted all my good childhood memories of those cuddly Care Bears.
Necole / June 2, 2010
Ah yes, DEMF= boring. The music has certainly lost its appeal and who can listen to that all day in 80 degree weather with those damn FURRY boots on???
Nice Photos as always tho Tafari:)
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The Colour Gurl / June 2, 2010
Awesome pictures, but of course we, your audience, come to expect nothing less!
You’re absolutely correct Tafari. The festival, at least the Hart Plaza piece of it, continues to disappoint and this year was total BS!! Nothing has come close to the acts of the first year. Mos Def, the Roots and Slum Village; and that was FREE!!
This year’s biggest frustration came when the terms “deep house” and “underground” took on a literal meaning. House DJs playing in the bowels of Hart Plaza, with little air circulation and even less light?!? And to add insult to injury, you’re charging people out the wazu! GTFOH
But, “still we rise”. Each year, the soul parties get bigger and better, with this year being no exception. I met people of color from across the globe; Japan, Paris, London, Brazil, New York, Chicago, LA; all in the D; all for the love of house. I got a chance to party until sunrise for three consecutive nights and to finally see the highly acclaimed film “Suite for Ma Dukes”. Thanks to Detroit promoters who showed a high level of professionalism, worked together and served it up right, I could filter through the BS and get to the pureness of what turned out to be a banner weekend!
Tafari / June 2, 2010
Thx for the photo love & Im happy to know that I am not crazy & alone in my thinking.
Cynthia – That Care Bear photo is interesting. There were even a few Teddy Ruxpin dolls down there being abused. Oh my!
Necole – It was so hot this past Sunday & those furry boots & shoe covers were a bit much. I guess club kids have fashion protocol to uphold. O_o
Coulour Girl – That Hart Plaza basement situation was a mess & I noticed that it was a little better than last year bit still.
It is too dark & dank down there. Seems like they can pour some resources into that area to make it more aesthetically pleasing.
When the festival went corporate I feel like the core fans of the music that built this to what it has become were abandoned.
The ticket price is out reach for so many in Detroit but then again the music acts as f late are not geared to a large portion of would be attendees.
The all mighty dollar prevails & after all, it is all about business at the end of the day.