Detroit luminary Derrick May headlines Picnic at The Basement in Circular Quay on Friday December 13.
May is responsible for one of the biggest house anthems – ever – in ‘Strings Of Life’ from back in ’87, but his influence extends well beyond the success of that one track (however immense that track’s legacy may be). Along with high school friends Juan Atkins and Kevin ‘The Elevator’ Saunderson, May rounds off the ‘Belleville Three’, a core trio of producers who played an integral role in shaping the bourgeoning house and techno scenes of the late ’80s/early ’90s, paving the way for the next generation of Detroit producers that included the likes of Carl Craig and Stacey Pullen.
May’s reputation as an auteur faded slightly due to an extended break from production during the ’90s, though throughout this period he continued DJing worldwide and concentrated on his Transmat label, which continues to garner accolades today.
Picnic head honcho Kali will be warming up the floor when doors open at 11pm, but then it’s over to May for “as long as he’s feeling it,” which means you are guaranteed an extended set – it is just a question of how extended.
