Plexi PR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AGORIA ‘BALANCE 016′ NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES
Including, Movement Electronic Music Festival – Main Stage Performance

Hot off the heels of his acclaimed Balance series edition and a successful Winter Music Conference debut, forward-thinking Frenchman Agoria is set to embark on his North American tour as he makes his way to the Movement Electronic Music Festival in Detroit. With his recent spell-binding DJ sets at the Balance 16: Agoria release party and at the infamous Sunday School For Degenerates party in Miami, Agoria is now ready to bring his distinct track selection and mixing style to some of North America’s most forward thinking venues. Kicking off in New York City, with stops in Windsor, Detroit, and El Paso, the tour culminates with a much anticipated main stage performance at the10th anniversary of the electronic music festival in Detroit.

Agoria, otherwise known as Sebastien Devaud wasn’t bitten by the dance music bug until he was out of his teens, but once he began hunting imported 12”s from the US and Germany in his native France, there was no turning back. His production career began in 1999, with his debut album Blossom and first compilation following in 2003 – and it was clear even in those early days that a serious new talent was emerging. Blending the throb and groove of deeper, stripped-back techno with a keen sense of musicality, emotion and atmosphere, his is a sound that transcends beyond mere dancefloor disposability. His 2007 At The Controls compilation set a new standard for minimal tech-house with its impeccable programming and seductive mixing.

2010 has marked a banner year for Agoria with the release of Balance 016. After raising the bar to unprecedented heights in 2009 with Joris Voorn and Will Saul’s stunning additions to the Balance series, Agoria provides yet another standard-setting mix from one of the most sophisticated, forward thinking, and inspiring names in techno. “The concept of both CDs is all about balance. Literally. In my mind a balance is not a middle position; it’s a perfect equilibrium. I’m trying to be as close as possible to this idea. I have tried to find this fine line where the balance is just right.” To accomplish this perfectly-weighted contrast, he’s cherry-picked from a myriad of genres and subgenres in his “beat open-minded” fashion, combining a wealth of material from newcomers across the spectrum (including no less than 12 exclusives!) with more established producers, classics and unknown gems from his broad musical past, and put it all together in an unconventional, challenging manner. “In the end, more than a DJ compilation, this is a manifesto of my passion for music and for mixing” he explains. Balance 016: Agoria has been hailed as the compilation of the month by several publications including IDJ Magazine, Tillate Magazine, Raveline, Tsugi, DMC, Inpress, 3D, Time Off. This superb compilation is as deep and rewarding as a well-woven novel, the dénouement of the story unfolding as the mix evolves through Agoria’s musical DNA. Yet another essential addition to the compilation series that is fast becoming the new benchmark for ambitious DJs and demanding listeners alike.

“Serious dance music fans know the “Balance” label CD series provides some of the most stunning sonic journeys that progressive house and techno has to offer. Recent masterpieces include creative sets by Joris Voorn and Will Saul, but the latest release by Agoria, a French DJ also known as Sebastien Devaud, might top them all.”
-Miami.com

“ In running through a ton of genres from blessed out ambience to emo-tech via chugging techno and dark house, ‘Balance 16’ is pregnant with emotion and stuffed with drama.” –DJ Mag

“A fine tour d’horizon of the intelligent side of house, taking in techno, minimal, balearic, cosmic…” -Telegraph

“A true science of the transition, which keeps the listener captivated.” -Trax

Agoria North American Tour Dates
May 21 New York, NY
May 22 Windsor, Canada @ Boom Boom Room
May 27 Detroit, MI @ Pulse Lounge
May 28 El Paso, TX @ Malibu Discotheque
May 30 Detroit, MI @ Detroit Princess Riverboat
May 31 Detroit, MI @ Movement Electronic Music Festival www.movement.us

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MAYOR AND PAXAHAU ANNOUNCE NEW INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENT FESTIVAL PARTNERSHIP
PLUS, MOVEMENT 2009 STAGE LINEUPS

Mayor Kenneth V. Cockrel, Jr. and Paxahau officials announced during a press conference today for Movement 2009 a new international partnership between Movement Detroit and Movement Torino designed to expand the visibility of Detroit and its growing electronic music community.

“This new partnership is historic,” said Jason Huvaere, president of Paxahau.  “We will work together to promote one another’s festivals and Paxahau will be instrumental in helping them book electronic music artists to perform at Movement Torino.”

World-renowned electronic music artist Derrick May developed the Movement brand that was used at the 2003 and 2004 festivals in Detroit.

Paxahau earned the right to produce the festival in 2006.  Huvaere said his team “made a conscious decision to maintain the consistency of the Movement brand” and struck an agreement with May to use it.

May wanted the Movement brand to have a global presence and eventually made an agreement with Movement Europe Limited to use it.  In October of 2006 the group from Italy hosted the first Movement Torino Music Event.  The web site is: www.movement.it.

Huvaere said May introduced the two groups in 2008 and they began discussing how to work together, which resulted in today’s announcement of the international partnership.

To kick-off the new partnership Movement Detroit and Movement Torino will co-host the Movement 2009 Closing Party at Plan B Night Club on Monday, May 25 in Detroit.

Movement 2009 is Coming to Detroit’s Hart Plaza May 23, 24, 25
Starting at noon on Saturday, May 23 Techno heads, House heads and electronic dance music enthusiasts from across the globe will pour through the turnstiles at Detroit’s Hart Plaza for the start of Movement 2009.

Electronic and dance music fans come to Movement because of Detroit’s rich Techno history and the great music played by the talented artists scheduled for each stage.  For three days and nights fans of the eclectic genre of music will have a chance to experience the ultimate outdoor electronic music venue. 36 hours of music; 4 stages and more than 70 artists and DJs.

“The national and international appeal of the Movement Festival proves that music is still one of Detroit’s greatest assets,” said Detroit Mayor Ken Cockrel Jr.  “We expect Movement 2009 to attract a new wave of electronic music fans to Detroit for Memorial Day weekend.”

Stage Sponsors, Headliners and Schedule Announced at Press Conference
During the 10 a.m. press conference at The Fillmore Detroit several components of Movement 2009 were discussed, but none were as important to electronic music fans as the artist lineups.  Announced for the first time were the names of the headliners for each of the four stages along with the release of the stage schedules.

“Our stage lineup is one of the biggest announcements we make in the weeks leading up to the Movement festival,” said Huvaere.  “Electronic music fans want to know on which stage their favorite artist will be performing and on which day.”

The Movement 2009 stage sponsors and headliners are:

Beatport Stage: Marco Carola; Guy Gerber; and Benny Benassi
Made in Detroit Stage: Mike Huckaby; Anthony Rother; and Audion
Red Bull Music Academy Stage: The Glitch Mob; Z-Trip; and Bassnectar
vitaminwater stage: Carl Cox; Loco Dice vs. Luciano; and Derrick May

Ticket Sales for Movement 2009 are Strong
Movement 2009 representatives are encouraging electronic music enthusiasts to take advantage of the discount presale weekend pass special.  Passes are only $40 for a limited time and can be purchased at www.paxahau.com.  VIP passes are also available for $150 each.

“Ticket sales are more than double the number they were at this time last year,” said Huvaere.  “We are pleased that despite the tough economic times facing our country, people see the value in spending their Memorial Day Weekend in Detroit at the Movement Festival.”

As of Tuesday, April 28, 2009 some 1,789 weekend passes have been purchased for Movement 2009.  At the same time last year, only 838 weekend passes had been purchased for Movement 2008.  VIP ticket purchases are slightly up this year to 298 from 241 last year.

On average between 8,000 and 13,000 tickets are bought at the gate each of the three days of the festival.  Last year nearly 80,000 people passed through the turnstiles at Hart Plaza for Movement 2008.

The Movement 2009 Experience
Electronic and dance music is the primary reason nearly 80,000 people packed Hart Plaza last year, but the producers of the festival strive each year to ensure they provide a well-rounded experience for those in attendance.

“We know people come for the music, but many stay all day because of the atmosphere we are able to create on the festival-grounds,” said Huvaere.  “Our goal is to make it comfortable for our target demographic by partnering with organizations that they will appreciate and support both during and after the festival.

“Exposing festival-goers to Detroit and Michigan-based businesses and organizations by having them on-site either with a booth or as sponsors is important to us.”

The Movement festival will once again be “green” thanks to a partnership with Recycle Detroit and WasteOne Management.  Last year 3,000 pounds of recyclables were collected.  This year there will be improved efficiency at each of the recycling stations, which organizers hope will increase the amount of recyclable material collected.

A new partnership has been formed this year with the artisans from Handmade Detroit.  These talented locally-based artisans and crafters will be on-site selling their products.  It will be a great opportunity for them to introduce attendees from across the globe to the thriving creative community of Detroit.

Festival organizers have partnered again with Wheelhouse Detroit to offer Movement attendees a $5 discount on bike rentals throughout Memorial Day Weekend.  Wheelhouse is located just a short stroll down the RiverWalk from Hart Plaza, the site of Movement 2009.  Inside Detroit Tours & Outings has also partnered with the festival to offer discounted walking tours of Detroit’s downtown to anyone with a Movement 2009 wristband.

Sponsors of Movement 2009
Red Bull Music Academy; vitaminwater; Beatport; MotorCity Casino & Hotel;  Valentine Vodka; Cuatro Cirios Tequila; Sony; Allen & Heath; Pioneer PRO DJ; Made in Detroit; Metrotimes; Metromix; Fox 2 News; The Michigan Front Page; Tell Us Detroit; DJ Times; CJAM 95.1 Windsor; Pacha NYC; Resident Advisor; Ableton; The Night Move; 323 East; Clubplanet.com; Splendid Plates and RANE.

Opening Party for Movement 2009
The Prodigy will get Movement 2009 Weekend started with an electrifying performance on Friday, May 22 at The Fillmore in Detroit during the official Movement kick-off party, which will also feature performances by Paxahau Resident DJ Chuck Flask and Evan Evolution at the State Bar.

Doors to The Prodigy performance open at 7:00 p.m.  Early Bird tickets for this all-ages electronic music with a rock attitude show can be purchased at www.livenation.com.

About Paxahau
Paxahau is now in its fourth year as producers of Movement.  Since 1998 Paxahau has promoted electronic music and has grown to include a web archive, booking agency, record label and an event production company which produces and promotes events all year round. With a network of alliances and resources that span the globe, Paxahau has earned the reputation as a premier promotions group within the electronic music industry. For more info, please go to: www.paxahau.com.

MOVEMENT 08 – DETROIT’S ELECTRONIC MUSIC FESTIVAL
DANCES TO RECORD BREAKING ATTENDANCE AND INAUGURAL RECYCLING PROGRAM COLLECTS MORE THAN 3,000 POUNDS OF RECYCLABLES

Paxahau, producers of Movement 08 – Detroit’s Electronic Music Festival, announced that attendance of this year’s three-day festival surpassed 80,000, toppling last year’s attendance and exceeding the set goal of 60,000. Attendance numbers were based on implementing the use of turnstiles and tracking festival VIP’s as well. This year marked the first time the festival tracked attendance using turnstiles.

“We anticipated a surge in attendance, as presales were triple what they were last year three weeks before the festival,” stated Jason Huvaere, festival director, Paxahau Promotions Group. “It’s amazing to now have actual attendance numbers that equate to real economic benefits for the City of Detroit, as well as the festival, and exhibits the venue’s true capacity.”

On top of attendance success, the recycling program instituted by Paxahau collected more than 3,000 pounds of recyclables including plastic, fiber, and cans over the three-day event. Paxahau teamed up with Recycle Detroit, a non-profit organization founded by Detroiter Sarah Kubik; Omar S. George of WasteONE in Clinton Township; and Great Lakes Recycling of Roseville to collect recyclable materials.

The festival had approximately 10 recycling tents, staffed with volunteers that collected cans, bottles, and paper. Great Lakes Recycling, offering single stream capabilities, stored and processed all the recyclable materials, and once separated, the recyclables were transferred to a single location for further processing.

Huvaere added, “We experienced a remarkable and memorable event this year. Reaction from everyone involved, including sponsors, artists, media, and fans was incredibly positive. We definitely set a new benchmark for the festival, and I am excited about planning next year’s event.”

Movement interest, on all levels, was a direct result of Paxahau’s dedication and hard work to continually upgrade the festival experience, from the artist line-up to the drastically enhanced sound systems as well as upgraded staging to protect from inclement weather.

Much of the anticipation surrounding Movement 08 was generated by one of the strongest lineups the festival has had in its history. This year’s roster of performers included Moby, Benny Benassi, Carl Craig, Richie Hawtin, Deadmau5, James Zabiela, Dubfire, and critically acclaimed artists such as The Cool Kids, Peanut Butter Wolf and Cobblestone Jazz.

“We’re all about showcasing renowned, established artists while also giving up-and-coming talent an opportunity to reach a broader audience,” said Huvaere. “Most important, however, the festival further expands Detroit’s reputation for inspiring the electronic music scene – and the foundation for the creative renaissance being led by electronic music artists everywhere who recognize the importance of being a part of this cultural phenomenon.”

Upcoming Paxahau events:
Friday, July 4th at 6:00 p.m. – Cityfest, Pure Detroit Stage, Paxahau Presents King Britt and Ryan Elliott
Labor Day Weekend – Paxahau Ten Year Anniversary

About Paxahau
Since 1998 Paxahau has promoted electronic music and has grown to include a web archive, booking agency, record label and an event production company which produces an average of 12 events a year. With a network of alliances and resources that span the globe, Paxahau has emerged as a premier promotions group within the electronic music industry. Paxahau is committed to further establishing the Detroit Electronic Music Festival as North America’s most prominent electronic music venue, which will continue to be a foundation for the creative renaissance being led by electronic music artists everywhere. Please visit myspace.com/detroitmusicfest to find the latest news as it develops.