Motor City Music Conference Preview

In their bid to top Austin, Texas’ huge South by Southwest Conference (SXSW), Detroit is kicking off the inaugural Motor City Music Conference, held April 20-24, in various locations of the D.

The conference (or “MC2” as it is being dubbed for a shorter, hipper name) will see a eclectic mix of rock, hip-hop, blues and electronica over the four day period.

The conference will also show a mix of local and national artists, with the national acts getting about 40 percent of the lineup, while the local groups get 60 percent of the lineup.

Venues from as far north as Paycheck’s Lounge in Hamtramck to as far south as St. Andrew’s Hall which will host concerts every night from 8 P.M. till 2 A.M..

Here are some of the national acts appearing, and a guide to where you can see different types of local music:

National Acts:

…Trail of The Dead- Wednesday, April 20th- Majestic Theatre

The Austin, Texas art-prog rock project will start off the festivities right after the Detroit Music Awards finish up. If you are a fan of the Mars Volta, this might be right up your alley. Tickets are still available, or if you have a MC2 Platinum Badge, or a MC2 Wristband, you can also be admitted into the show.

Snoop Dogg w/ The Game- Saturday, April 23rd- Joe Louis Arena

At what will probably be the highest show attended (in attendance, and in THC content), Snoop will run through all of his hits, and probably teach suburban youth a whole new list of vocabulary skills. The kiddies will eat it up. The now former-G-Unit protégé The Game will open up the show. It will be interesting to see how compelling The Game will be without his probably former executive producer, 50 Cent, on stage. Tickets are still available, or if you have a MC2 Platinum Badge, you can also be admitted into the show.

Moby- Friday, April 22nd- State Theatre

Remember the line from Eminem’s “Without Me,” “nobody listens to techno?” Well, in Detroit, that isn’t always the case. The bald headed techno wonder, who has loaned his songs to everything from movies to car commercials will invade the State Theatre. Tickets are available, or if you have a MC2 Platinum Badge, or a MC2 Wristband, you can be admitted into the show.

Local Music

Rock:

If you are looking for any kind of rock, the MC2 will have the majority of the venues dedicated to up and coming rockers. The Compuware Atrium will host various modern rock groups such as Zug Island and Critical Bill. The Majestic Theatre will host many local juggernauts, such as the Paybacks and Gore Gore Girls, both fresh off stints at the South by Southwest Conference. Fifth Avenue Downtown will also host many rock groups, such as the out of work Darren McCarty’s Grinder, and newly signed to a major label, Hemigod. Other places to check out rock are at Small’s Bar (Hamtramck), and the Lager House.

Hip-Hop:

Hip-hop will get many venues as well, with the epicenters for the MC2 being at the Good Life Lounge and opening night at St. Andrew’s Hall. Local rappers Chief, Miz Korona, and new Kid Rock DJ, Paradime will be at St. Andy’s on April 21st. DaShaun Porter (better known as D-12’s Kon Artis) will be hosting a night of hip-hop at Johanson Charles Gallery on April 22nd.

Electronica:

Who needs a DEMF, when you have the number of techno artists heading to the MC2? DJs and other artists will take over such clubs as Envy and Elysium. Also, the Ballroom at the The Masonic will have a big bash on April 23rd, sponsored by Paxahau.

Other Genres:

Check out world music and blues at Fishbone’s Greektown resturant. Rockbilly will invade 313Jac (Upstairs of Jacoby’s) and Alvin’s.

The actual conference will take place inside of Cobo Hall, from 10 A.M.- 7 P.M. all days during the conference. If you have a badge or wristband, you can pick it up there as well. All information on ticket prices, full listing of band times, and ticket procedures can be viewed at www.motorcitymusic.com.

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Contact Art at arthatesyou@detroitbuzz.com.