Obviously, Detroit area electronic dance music promoters Paxahau aren’t flat-out racists. (though judging from the NSFW picture after the jump the jury is out on whether or not they’re misogynists! ;) I mean, they couldn’t be totally racist, they have booked some black performers at the annual Memorial Day weekend outdoor festival which they’ve kept alive for the past three years. For that they can be thanked, and perhaps even commended. For many of us techno nerds, though, something changed when they took over. It has been mentioned on the 313 list and likely elsewhere as well that the festival was missing something, and some even mentioned racial aspects, but I’ve finally been able to put a number on the problem.
My recent series of DEMF related posts began with a key figure: the population of the city of Detroit, Michigan is 80% black, 12% white. Now, granted, it would probably be unrealistic for the ratio of white to black artists at the festival to ever approach the population figures, but you’d think that the idea would be to represent the character of the city pretty closely, right? Well, for the first few years that was the case… (hit the jump for the figures)
Year %Black
2000 58.73%
2001 48.68%
2002 66.18%
2003 45.57%
2004 37.70%
2005 52.69%
2006 21.43%
2007 27.71%
2008 24.47%
2009 32.88%
As you can see, from 200-2005 the percentage of black performers at DEMF never dipped below 37%, and usually was above 50%. In 2006, though, something happened. Paxahau took over the event and the number of black performers dropped dramatically, to 21%! Why? That same year the percentage of Detroit area performers dropped too, from 62% in ‘05 to 33% in ‘06! What possible excuse could Paxahau have to take what was a succesful event regardless of who was in charge and turn it into a homogenous rave party with so little Detroit flavor?
Now, like I’ve said before, I’m excited for this year’s festival, and Paxahau deserves a lot of credit for keeping the party going, and for booking a ton of amazing talent. From what I’ve heard the past two years have also seen a significant improvement in sound and staging, so kudos for that and I can’t wait to hear/see things this year. Still, I think my research speaks for itself, the Detroit Electronic Music Festival lost some funk when Paxahau took over. I’m glad the numbers seem to be trending back in the direction they should be. Keep up the good work Pax, you’ve got an amazing legacy behind you, now keep on pushin’. Tomorrow I’ll give you a suggestion of fifteen Detroit heads that I think should be booked EVER SINGLE YEAR. And no more of absolute nonsense like this:
(above cropped photo courtesy Ross Sandelius)
i don’t think it’s racism at all. i think it’s the intent with which the given organizer proceeds to book the festival.
2000-2005’s festivals were (in just about everyone’s estimation) decidedly different from where Pax took things when they took over. this is to be expected, as they come from a different place than kevin, derrick and the “original” organizers.
they took it, for lack of a better description, more mainstream. more rave-y. whatever. their goal is “asses in chairs” (or, to be more exact, “feet on the pavement”).
if you want to argue semantics, maybe the argment to be made is that the dance music biz (with regards to the acts being booked) is racist, and fairly eurocentric to boot.
[Reply]
Count Zero reply on April 23, 2009 6:55 pm:
Yeah, that’s what they want you to think. My point is that maybe they do come from a “different place” but that doesn’t give them any right to make the sweeping changes they made. The festival belongs to the city, and they’re doing the city a huge disservice by continuing to book out of their tastes rather than to reflect the musicians of Detroit. It’s irritating at best, racist at worst. You’re giving them too much credit Mark.
[Reply]
Comment by [mark] — April 23, 2009 @ 8:27 am
I think they are totally trying to control what type of crowd comes in by charging ridiculous amounts for cover just to walk in. I call it $$$ discrimination more than racism. They know that poor people will not put forth the money just to walk into this event so they are encouraging (white) people with $ to come to the event and thus probably have more white performers. I think its overpriced but I still go because I LOVE THE MUSIC!!!
[Reply]
Count Zero reply on May 20, 2009 1:04 am:
I kind of see what you’re saying, it would be better if it were free. On the other hand I wonder if we’re talking about the same festival, because I have to point out that $45 for three days of entertainment and over 80 performers is really a steal. Coachella (another three day multiple performer event), for example, was $270 this year!
Sure, it would be awesome if it could be free, but Paxahau had to take over because the free event was losing money like crazy, so it’s great that they’ve been able to continue. Not to mention Pax has increased the production value every year.
If you want a free event with 80+ artists and 4 stages of awesome sound and lighting, I’d definitely encourage you to go raise the money and throw one yourself. I’d be there!
[Reply]
Count Zero reply on May 20, 2009 1:04 am:
oh, and thanks for reading and commenting! much appreciated.
[Reply]
Comment by Paul Jay — May 19, 2009 @ 12:36 am
I have no problem paying, like I said its expensive for me but I am still going. My point is the show used to have nearly 1 million ppl come to downtown every year when it was free. If they just charged lets say $10-25, many more people would come besides the die-hards such as myself well above last years 80,000. They would make much more money in volume by decreasing the price but again that would encourage a different crowd as well. I will have to agree that $50 (whats stated on the Pax myspace page) for 3 days is well worth it but I can and usually only go for one day, and by one day I mean usually closer to 7pm => close. I just wish I could get more of my friends to come but adding up $30 a head doesn’t seem worth it to them and I have to agree as well. Like i said in my prev post its $ discrimination to keep certain people out and those that paid to be there want to be there and are less likely to start fights and such. Its going to be another great weekend of concerts and I CAN’T WAIT!!!!!!
[Reply]
Comment by Paul Jay — May 20, 2009 @ 1:53 am
@Paul Jay
The 1 million numbers were fabricated by media like URB.
and its sad, DEMF used to mean so much more than a bunch of concerts…
Thanks for the great blog coverage Mr. Count Zero.
[Reply]
Comment by Jay Newhouse — May 22, 2009 @ 1:01 pm