Partying for the Planet: Movement Competition 2019 Assessment
Helsinki, the capital of Finland with a inhabitants of about 650,00zero, exists within the intersection between urbanism and nature, the previous and future, the traditional and novel. Its annual flagship music occasion, Movement Competition, follows swimsuit, mirroring town and its folks in additional methods than one. You can say that to know Movement is to know all the very best points of Helsinki’s burgeoning arts and tradition scene.
Now in its 15th 12 months, Movement as soon as once more occurred at Suvilahti, a sprawling property that when served as an influence plant. Its website already makes the occasion a uncommon gem: In contrast to many main festivals that happen miles out in the course of nowhere, Movement is kind of actually part of Helsinki, situated only a mere 15 minutes from town middle.
Picture by Movement Competition/Petri Anttila
As such, there’s a noticeable emphasis on reflecting the values and pursuits of residents and surrounding companies. Just like the group it serves (not less than 60% of attendees are locals), Movement prides itself on being one of many world’s first carbon-neutral festivals.
A dedication to sustainability permeated practically each side of the pageant. Over 170 acts, together with The Treatment, Robyn, Solange, and Tame Impala, performed amid the repurposed Suvilahti space — nonetheless gritty and industrial, but additionally revitalized with colourful murals, installations, and the works of native artists. In the meantime, Movement’s tasty meals choices boasted not solely natural, domestically produced fare, however all 65 foods and drinks stalls typically had quite a few sustainable vegetarian and vegan meals.
(Learn: The 10 Hottest European Music Festivals to Verify Out This Summer season)
And it goes past being “cool”; that is truly what the folks need. For instance, the stall for Bun2Bun, a premier vegan burger eatery in Helsinki, constantly had one of many longest queues all weekend (as a lifelong carnivore, the Double Cheese greater than had me fooled). One other main environmentally-minded marketing campaign, spearheaded by Movement companion Reaktor, promised to plant one tree for each beverage container donated.
After all, Movement’s fundamental attraction was its stellar lineup, its working order mindfully curated for the aware festivalgoer. Variety being a significant level, Movement booked a strong steadiness of female and male acts (once more a rarity) in addition to artists of assorted racial backgrounds and sexual orientations. Some hailed from Australia and Japan, others from the US and all throughout Europe.
Many established music icons like The Treatment, Stereolab, and Erykah Badu have been current, taking part in alongside newcomers akin to rapper Slowthai and Finnish favourite Alma. Friday night noticed Solange’s subtle R&B adopted by the experimental footwork of producer Jlin whereas Saturday introduced all the things from Robyn and Tame Impala to Yves Tumor and The Black Madonna. On the ultimate day, James Blake’s British electro crooning shared a Sunday roster with Mitski’s highly effective indie rock musings and a booming set from Russian techno/home producer Nina Kraviz.
There’s a handful of angles to view Movement and the groundbreaking manner it approaches placing collectively a pageant. Essentially the most enjoyable manner? All of us in attendance — that’s 52,00zero distinctive guests — partied to protect Finland, the Land of a Thousand Lakes. Partied to, in some small manner, protect the planet.
Click on forward for some particular standout units from the three-day occasion, as spelled out by the phrase Movement itself.
