- As we ascended the flight of stairs that lead up to Populux, Detroit’s newest dance music destination, we were greeted by two men line dancing at the back of the room. Elusive local legend D.Wynn was on the decks, red spotlights were gliding across the venue’s six LED columns and crisp sound was flowing from the newly-installed system. Although we had been in this space before (back when it was prominent concert venue Magic Stick), a series of impressive renovations gave the venue a fresh but familiar feeling.
Populux feels like a solid middle ground for the Motor City’s music-seekers. It has a booking schedule that appeals to diehard techno and house heads, but with the décor, location and amenities to draw in an open-minded mainstream crowd. Vince, an attendee who used to frequent metal shows at Magic Stick, told us that although he wasn't "a big fan of the techno music" he was thoroughly enjoying himself and would definitely come back. The venue's expanded room and sizable second-story patio were abuzz with energy and excitement, with no air of superiority or superficiality. At one point in the night a reveller high-fived a friend of mine on the dance floor, exclaiming, "I love a good house party!"
Derrick Carter and DJ Sneak broke in the DJ booth with a back-to-back set of heavy-hitting house. There was no getting around it—the Chicago pair felt like an odd choice of headliner, given that the club is marketing itself as part of the #rebirthofacity (a phrase most locals have come to loath). Essentially, the emphasis was meant to be on Detroit techno. That said, it is comforting that there is now somewhere in the city where people are being exposed to the likes of Matthew Dear’s "Dog Days" and Stacey Pullen’s "Circus Act," especially if they're new to the scene. Only time will tell if Populux is able to maintain that middle ground, but there was plenty to suggest as much at its maiden event.
Photo credit: Steven Pham