Tomorrow, Detroit turns its attention to Movement Music Festival, so for our final show before the weekend, we’re setting up the energy accordingly. We revisit our conversation with beloved Detroit photographer Patricia Dorsey, better known as “Grandma Techno,” who has become a cherished part of the festival’s culture and a familiar presence at Hart Plaza since first attending the festival in 2005. 

Closing out the show, In The Groove welcomes Detroit producer and DJ Kyle Hall into the studio for a special live set. A longtime force in the city’s dance music scene, Kyle has built a reputation for blending house, techno, jazz and soul into a sound that feels distinctly Detroit. Catch his set on Saturday, May 23 at 3 p.m. at the Star Gate Stage at Hart Plaza. 

Check the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the player above. 

In The Groove with Ryan Patrick Hooper playlist for May 22, 2026 

• “Fishbrain” – Mount Kimbie 

• “I Wanna Be Adored” – The Stone Roses 

• “Mind’s a Lie” – High Vis 

• “So U Kno” – Overmono 

• “Cos-Ber-Zam Ne Noya (Daphni Mix)” – Daphni 

• “Katmandu (Jazzanova Remix)” – Ivan Conti 

• “better” – Joy Orbison & Léa Sen 

• “oh baby (lovefingers remix)” – LCD Soundsystem 

• “Leave Your Life (Lonely Hearts Mix)” – Alex Kassian 

• “Peter and Sylvie” – Michael Andrews 

• “Boy Moves the Sun” – Michael Andrews 

• “Paradise Valley” – Jay Daniel 

• “Blind (Frankie Knuckles Remix)” – Hercules & Love Affair 

• “The Whistle Song” – Frankie Knuckles 

• “Home is Where The Hatred Is (feat. Lisa Fischer) [Main]” – Brian Jackson, Masters At Work, Kenny Dope & Louie Vega 

• “Lady Day & John Coltrane (feat. Rahsaan Patterson) [12″ Version]” – Brian Jackson, Kenny Dope & Louie Vega 

• “Can’t Stop (Dennis F’s Falling 4 U Mix Edit)” – Reel People, Angela Johnson & Dennis Ferrer 

• “Sidepoint” – Vlad Caia 

• “NoLov4Me” – So House 

• “You Are Love (Jose Carretas Son Liva Mix)” – Glenn Underground 

• “Down” – Kyle Hall 

• “Echoes In The Dust (Vinyl Preview)” – MICHELE MANZO 

• “I Can’t Believe I Loved Her” – Peven Everett 

• “Thank U” – Julio Navas & David Amo 

Listen to In the Groove with host Ryan Patrick Hooper weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org. 

Liberation work doesn’t look one way. For multidisciplinary artist Darryl DeAngelo Terrell, it looks like photography, videography, and sound working in concert to create a world free of race and gender constructs.

Rooted in their lived experience growing up Black and gay in Detroit, Terrell’s work questions our conventional understanding of desire, beauty and home then forces those who experience the work to confront how limited our portraits of Blackness within those themes actually are.

Terrell joined the show to explain how their art, in all its forms, serves as a tool to realize a world free of those limitations.

279º W 42º21’39” N 83º2’20″W Detroit, MI by Darryl DeAngelo Terrell

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on demand.

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Continuing our lead-up to Movement, In The Groove welcomes Detroit house music DJ Delano Smith into the mix. A respected figure in the dance music community and a longtime architect of deep house sounds, Delano takes over the final hour of the show with a live DJ set, bringing decades of Detroit club culture and groove into the studio.

Catch him live on Monday, May 25 at Hart Plaza, where he’ll perform on the Movement Stage at 4 p.m.  

Check the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the player above. 

In The Groove with Ryan Patrick Hooper playlist for May 21, 2026 

• “Respectable Street” – XTC 

• “New Age” – Blitz 

• “I Don’t Live Here Anymore” – The War on Drugs 

• “Head Over Heels / Broken” – Tears for Fears 

• “Outdoor Miner” – Wire 

• “Lie In the Gutter” – Peel Dream Magazine 

• “Heaven (Nicolas Jaar Remix)” – Kasper Bjørke 

• “Heaven Scent (feat. Chloe Sevigny)” – Soulwax 

• “Gut Feeling / (Slap Your Mammy)” – Devo 

• “Trash” – New York Dolls 

• “Give Me Back My Man” – The B-52’s 

• “Si, Si, Si (feat. Quantic)” – Abelardo Carbono 

• “Sage Motel” – Monophonics & Kelly Finnigan 

• “Primos” – Adrian Quesada & Hermanos Gutiérrez 

• “Cajun Moon” – J.J. Cale 

• “Hey Joe” – The Jimi Hendrix Experience 

• “Melliflous Manner” – Setwun 

• “Through Your Soul (feat. Bubz Fiddler & J Dilla)” – Amp Fiddler 

• “I’m Doing Fine (feat. Amp Dog Knight)” – Moodymann 

• “Sun Circles (John Beltran Project Remix)” – Gratts 

• “RETRO ON THE STREET (Bonus Song)” – Samuel Gelabert González 

• “Like Paradise” – Timmy Tom & Melanie Brown 

• “City Lights” – The Kollective 

• “Short Short Man” – Gillette 

• “War (Eltonnick Remix) [Mixed]” – Julien Jabre 

• “So what…. its a jazz thang” – John Julius Knight 

• “Flirty (Wez Whynt Dub)” – Danny J Lewis & Mike City 

• “Things Are Gonna Change” – Raffaele Ciavolino 

• “I Want Your Love” – Timmy Regisford & Romanthony 

• “Feelin’ Good Tonight (Kai Alcé Remix)” – Louie Vega, Willy Soul & Funki Cadets 

• “Saisei” – Altinbas 

• “Verlucent” – Altinbas 

• “Reflection” – Altinbas 

• “Sharivari 2013 (Aux 88 Digital Mix) [feat. A Number of Names]” – Aux 88 

Listen to In the Groove with host Ryan Patrick Hooper weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org. 

In electronic music, Movement is the ultimate destination festival. The annual Hart Plaza event, which started as Detroit Electronic Music Festival in 2000, immerses attendees in the birthplace of Techno. For lovers of cultural experiences that reveal as much about the people as the music they create, few are on par with Movement.

The setting is downtown, right in the heart of the city. Most of what’s needed can be found on the festival grounds. For those adventurous enough to venture out, there are plenty of nearby food, lodging and adjacent festivities in the form of after-parties to fully experience the moment.

Get prepped

Before you go, I suggest dressing for the occasion in some comfy, supportive kicks. Don’t compromise; your feet will thank you. Bring a small bag or a hip sack for essentials. Wear layers (because hail and extreme sunshine can happen all in one day), be sure to hydrate (you’re allowed to bring in an empty water bottle for filling at water stations), and make sure you’re getting some nutrition along the way. Earplugs are a great idea, especially if you find yourself in the cavernous Underground Stage. A sun/rain hat and sunscreen will get you bonus points.

That’s a lot of work to hear music. Once you step onto the festival grounds, you’ll find that all your effort was worth it.

Start at the beginning

If you’re new to the sound of Movement, you’ll probably want to head straight to the reason for the season, which is basically anywhere you can find Carl Craig. He represents the gold standard of the Detroit sound, and Movement (as we know it today) simply wouldn’t exist without him. This year’s annual appearances happen first on Saturday (9:35 p.m. on Star Gate), back-to-back with Chicago’s Cajmere (an alias of Green Velvet). It’s a promising mix of Techno and Chicago House that makes you realize why those comfy shoes were so important. If you miss that set, Craig performs under his legendary alias 69 (said six-nine) on Monday (8:25 p.m. on Movement Main Stage). Throw in a dash of Rebecca Goldberg (5:00 p.m. on Detroit Stage) to get a taste of some of the relatively newer sounds coming out of the city.

Branch out

If you’re looking to branch out, take in what’s sure to be electro-fied and upbeat (even pop) set from Montreal’s Tiga (5:00 p.m. on Star Gate) on Monday. Get a warm-up with a stop to hear some downbeat grooves from Detroit producer Meftah (3:00 p.m. on Detroit Stage), then bump it up a bit with a soul-infused set from Baltimore’s Life On Planets. If you’re still feeling like taking in discoveries, slide on over to the Movement Stage to hear Detroit poet Jessica Care Moore (8:20 p.m.).

Follow the sound

As for me, it’ll be a dizzying game of hopscotch on Saturday. You’ll find my comfy shoes racing to catch the latest from Matthew Dear’s Audion project (4:00 p.m. on Movement Stage). I’ll run over to see what’s been going on with Colette b2b DJ Heather, who grew up in Chicago (4:30 p.m. on Pyramid Stage). I’ll then firmly plant myself for the calm of Italy’s Voices From the Lake (5:00 p.m. on Movement Stage) followed by Borderland, an almost jazzy collaboration between Detroit’s legendary Juan Atkins and Berlin’s Moritz Von Oswald of Basic Channel fame (6:30 p.m. on Movement Stage). I’ll take intermissions to catch more sounds from Detroit, including the textured sounds of Terrence Dixon (5:00 p.m. on Underground Stage) and House Music legend DJ Stacy Hotwaxx Hale (6:30 p.m. on Star Gate). I wouldn’t dare miss Ann Arbor’s Tadd Mullinix as X-Altera (8:00 p.m. on Waterfront Stage) before being sweetly reunited with the cosmic electricity of Detroit’s Dopplereffekt (9:20 p.m. on Waterfront Stage).

Keep it moving

With this kind of routine, I’m not sure I’ll even get to check out any of the afterparties. But if I can make it happen, I’ll head straight over to House Party on Saturday night. It takes place at Spot Lite, which has one of the best dance floors in Detroit, and features J House, Masquenada, WDET host Waajeed, Gene Hunt, Whodat, Blaaqgold, and Aboudi Issa.

Come together

One of the things I love about dance music is that it brings so many people together that might not otherwise have the chance to meet. It’s an expression of culture that builds a greater community, and that community finds a singular groove, even if just for one weekend of the year.

Get the party started

Today we get one step closer to Movement weekend with a mix of songs that bring the energy up. We spin tracks from Pete Townshend, Jordan Rakei, Todd Terje and Hot Chip, alongside music from Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Wire, Devo, and more. 

Ahead of Movement, In The Groove welcomes Detroit house music legend Stacey Hotwaxx Hale into the studio for a special live DJ set. We spend the final hour of the show grooving with Stacey behind the decks as she brings her signature energy into the station. You can catch her live this weekend at Hart Plaza, where she’ll take over the Star Gate Stage at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Check the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the player above. 

In The Groove with Ryan Patrick Hooper playlist for May 20, 2026 

• “Save It for Later (Live)” – Pete Townshend 

• “I Can’t Let It Happen To You” – The Walker Brothers 

• “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever” – The Peddlers 

• “Red Clay” – Jack Wilkins 

• “Didn’t It Rain” – Sister Rosetta Tharpe 

• “Getting Nasty” – Ike Turner & The Kings of Rhythm 

• “We Will Not Make It (Not Without You)” – Twin Peaks 

• “The Seize” – Jordan Rakei 

• “Bless the Telephone” – Labi Siffre 

• “Morning” – Azymuth 

• “Doom Mood” – Pearl & The Oysters 

• “Kind of Latin Rhythm” – The Juju Orchestra 

• “Takahashi Timing” – Yin Yin 

• “Guess I’m Fallin In Love” – Spoon 

• “Heartbeat (2006 Remastered Version)” – Wire 

• “That’s Entertainment” – The Jam 

• “New Age” – Blitz 

• “Why Can’t I Touch It? (2001 Remastered Version)” – Buzzcocks 

• “Geneva Strangemod” – Glyders 

• “I Want Some” – The Make-Up 

• “The Day My Baby Gave Me a Surprize” – Devo 

• “Bloodlines” – Franc Moody 

• “Got to Keep On” – The Chemical Brothers 

• “Devotion (Boys’ Shorts Remix)” – Hot Chip 

• “Inspector Norse” – Todd Terje 

• “Beside Myself (Dave Lee Cowbell Party) [feat. Johnny Dangerous]” – Foremost Poets & Dave Lee 

• “Freedom (Hottwaxx & NJB Remix)” – Jessica Care Moore 

• “Alúnga” – Zhan.Official 

• “Ho-Up” – Jaceo 

• “One Night in Rio (Extended Mix)” – Carlos Francisco 

• “BOWNCE” – Young Booty Spoon & Tamae 

Listen to In the Groove with host Ryan Patrick Hooper weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org. 

Since it’s founding in 2000, Movement has honored the raw, electrified spirit of the city where Techno was born. It’s a space where sound, struggle, and innovation come together, uniting people through electronic music.

It’s grown into a massive event at Hart Plaza that draws DJ’s and visitors from around the world. Despite it’s growing popularity and international appeal, the festival still puts local talent on stage, from legendary DJ’s like Kevin Saunderson and Stacey “Hotwaxx” Hale to newer artists like Tammy Lakkis and Kesswa.

To hear more about Movement this year, Tia Graham spoke with Sam Fotias, operations manager at Paxahau, the organization that produces the festival.

WDET is a proud media partner of the Movement Electronic Music Festival. We will have live DJ sets on In The Groove this week from 2 to 3 p.m. ET.

On Memorial Day, catch all three performances rebroadcast back to back from noon to 3 p.m.

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on demand.

More stories from The Metro

This week, I had Quality Cinema Band in-studio to talk about their new album, “Roseland,” and their upcoming show this Friday at the Gambrel Saloon. This is a charming and versatile indie-rock band that loves melody, harmony, and a little bit of twang, with some toe-tapping rhythms and time signatures that can regulate your nervous system. Plus, they can legit jam when called upon.

After their interview, they revealed that their live performance of two new songs from “Roseland” was their first go at an acoustic set. During the interview, they revealed that their show coming up on Friday night in Eastern Market is apparently their farewell show. Extra incentive to not miss it, then!

Stream the show to hear our interview, about 40 minutes in, and then hop over to Bandcamp to stream their new (and final?) album.

Now, we also heard a ton of new music from local artists, like Chloe Drallos, who will be on the show in three weeks, along with other singer-songwriters like John Salvage, who has an album out in July, and George Montrelle, who has a new single with Ross Herner.

Detroit’s Tiny Desk

But a highlight of this week’s show was the announcement of our  Top 10 contenders for this year’s Sounds Like Detroit Showcase, set for August 13 at Batch Brewing. Sounds Like Detroit is WDET’s version of the NPR’s national Tiny Desk Contest!

We combed through more than 150 submissions to that contest sent in from Michigan-based artists, and we’ve selected 10 stand-out artists that YOU, dear listener, can vote on, starting June 3. The top 3 vote-getters will go on to play a concert at Batch Brewing, and we’d love to see you there.

Check out the Top 10 below, and visit our Sounds Like Detroit page for more information! Also, stay tuned to MI Local and WDET for more details!

Sounds Like Detroit finalists – Voting opens June 3

We start today off by spinning bright and dreamy melodies from The Marías, Wolf Alice, Kurt Vile and Divorce before easing into a run of Latin music from Rubén Blades, Willie Bobo, Orquesta Akokán, and Gabriel Rios. 

Along the way, award-winning author, poet, and cultural critic Hanif Abdurraqib joins us live in the studio for a conversation. We also weave in a few of his personal selections, including Detroit-rooted favorites from Slum Village and J Dilla, alongside tracks from Fireworks, Detroit techno pioneer K. Hand, and Amp Fiddler. 

Check the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the player above. 

In The Groove with Ryan Patrick Hooper playlist for May 19, 2026 

• “Jealous Boy” – The Bug Club 

• “Julie’s Place” – Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever 

• “Zoom 97” – Kurt Vile 

• “If You Were The Woman, And I Was The Man (Live)” – Cowboy Junkies 

• “I’LL BE YOUR FRIEND” – Ruti 

• “Hush” – The Marías 

• “Hit My Head All Day” – Dry Cleaning 

• “Angles Mortz” – Nightbus 

• “Enough” – PVA 

• “My Room” – Divorce 

• “White Horses” – Wolf Alice 

• “All My Freaks” – Divorce 

• “I Will Follow” – U2 

• “Zodiac Shit” – Flying Lotus 

• “Déjà Vu” – Ryan Porter 

• “Bunny” – Ashley Henry & The RE: Ensemble 

• “La Vie En Rose” – Grace Jones 

• “Pedro Navaja” – Ruben Blades 

• “Fried Neck Bones and Some Homefries” – Willie Bobo 

• “Con Altura” – Orquesta Akokán 

• “El diablo” – Gabriel Rios 

• “La torre (feat. Devendra Banhart)” – Gabriel Rios 

• “Coeur” – PPJ 

• “Spellbinder” – Gabor Szabo 

• “Reunion” – Slum Village & J Dilla 

• “I Want to Start a Religion With You” – Fireworks 

• “Work That Body” – K. Hand 

• “Dreamin’ (Radio Version)” – Amp Fiddler 

Listen to In the Groove with host Ryan Patrick Hooper weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org. 

This week on The Shake Out, Dave brings a stack of feel-good 45s full of 60s soul and garage rock gems. Hear a 1964 stomper from a young David Bowie, a showcase on songwriter Rudy Clark, deep cuts from Detroit, and a newer tune from the band Cut Worms, who just came through town last week. 

Tune in live Tuesday at 8 p.m. or catch the rebroadcast Friday at midnight.

The Shake Out playlist for May 19, 2026 

• “Look at Me Now” – Ethics
• “Soul Emotion” – Jay Rhythm
• “Would You Believe” – Jackie Lee
• “Boy Watchers” – John Rhys and the Lively Set
• “Don’t Be Sore at Me” – The Parliaments
• “Stop the Baby” – Jamo Thomas
• “Hittin’ on Nothing” – Irma Thomas
• “Rise Up (instrumental)” – The Freedom Affair
• “Come See Me” – The Pretty Things
• “Liza Jane” – Davie Jones and the King Bees
• “Me and Mr. Hohner” – Bobby Darin
• “Seatbelts Please” – The Exports
• “Baby I Dig Love” – Rudy Lewis
• “What Can A Man Do” – Ben E King
• “I’ve Got My Mind Set on You” – James Ray
• “Yeh Yeh” – Mango Santamaria
• “If You Had a Heart” – The Insiders
• “Hey It’s Love” – The Commands
• “Tres Lobos” – Mark III Trio
• “Don’t Send Nobody Else” – Ace Spectrum
• “Sugar Sugar” – Shirley
• “Captivated” – Louis Curry
• “Nocturnal Flower” – The Theo-Coff Invasion
• “Don’t Fade Out” – Cut Worms
• “Lucky Day” – The Theo-Coff Invasion

Check back later to listen to the recording for up to two weeks after the show airs.

This week on Visions, I celebrate the life and legacy of Malcolm X, whose birthday is May 19. “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” was one of the most important books I ever read. And the fact that there are jazz songs about Malcolm X means many others were impacted by him, too.

You’ll hear Malcolm X related music from Philip Cohran & The Artistic Heritage Ensemble, Terence Blanchard, Archie Shepp, Leon Thomas, Billy Brooks, and Christian McBride.

I also play music from Makaya McCraven, Alice Coltrane, Mal Waldron, Yusef Lateef, Geri Allen & The Mary Lou Williams Collective, Cecil McBee, Sun Ra, Cecil Taylor, and Abbey Lincoln.

The music about Malcolm in this episode is powerful, political, deeply spiritual, and raw. He may have been a controversial figure to some, but his impact is still present today.

Check out the playlist below and listen to the episode on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Visions Playlist for May 18, 2026

• “Malcolm X” – Philip Cohran & The Artistic Heritage Ensemble
• “Black Rhythm Happening” – Makaya McCraven
• “Malcolm Makes Hajj” – Terence Blanchard
• “Retribution” – Abbey Lincoln
• “A Love Supreme” – Alice Coltrane*
• “Elmina” – Donald Byrd*
• “Taurus” – Geri Allen* & The Mary Lou Williams Collective
• “Brother Malcolm” – Christian McBride
• “Symbiosis” – Mike Nock, Bennie Maupin*, Cecil McBee & Eddie Marshall
• “Al Hajj Malik Al Shabazz – For Malcolm X (Live)” – Billy Brooks
• “Malcolm’s Theme” – Terence Blanchard
• “Warp And Woof (feat. Eric Dolphy & Booker Ervin)” – Mal Waldron
• “Malcolm’s Gone” – Leon Thomas
• “Port Of Call” – Cecil Taylor
• “Malcolm, Malcolm – Semper Malcolm” – Archie Shepp
• “Love Theme From Spartacus” – Yusef Lateef*
• “Springtime Again” –  Sun Ra

* indicates Detroit artists

We’re under a severe thunderstorm watch in Detroit with a wide-open mix today, spinning tracks from 4hero, Novablood, Studio, José González, and Laura Marling, alongside Fleet Foxes, Grizzly Bear, and Hot Chip. 

The set leans more experimental with The Avalanches, Arthur Russell, Mount Kimbie, and Flying Lotus, with turns from Kendrick Lamar, Black Country, New Road, and Steely Dan along the way. 

Check the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the player above. 

In The Groove with Ryan Patrick Hooper playlist for May 18, 2026 

• “I Used To Live In A House” – Novablood 

• “Life’s A Beach! (Prins Thomas Mix)” – Studio 

• “Visions (Ela Minus Remix)” – José González 

• “Patterns” – Laura Marling 

• “Advantage Points” – Chilly Gonzales 

• “Love Story” – My New Band Believe 

• “Blue Ridge Mountains” – Fleet Foxes 

• “Easier” – Grizzly Bear 

• “You Wanna Dance Or What? (feat. Tommy McGee)” – Joshua Idehen 

• “If I Was a Folkstar” – The Avalanches 

• “In The Rain” – The Wooden Glass feat. Billy Wooten 

• “The Warning” – Hot Chip 

• “Ginkgo” – I Am Robot and Proud 

• “Bees” – Caribou 

• “Audition” – Mount Kimbie 

• “Dig for Fire” – Pixies 

• “You Can Have It All” – Yo La Tengo 

• “That’s Us/Wild Combination” – Arthur Russell 

• “B + a (Remaster)” – The Beta Band 

• “The Argument” – The Sea and Cake 

• “I’m Aquarius” – Metronomy 

• “Besties” – Black Country, New Road 

• “Too Many People” – Paul McCartney & Linda McCartney 

• “Dear Prudence” – Gabor Szabo 

• “Golden Age of Life” – 4hero 

• “Les Fleur (feat. Carina Andersson)” – 4hero 

• “Do It Again” – Steely Dan 

• “Gotta Get Up (Another Day) [Minnie Version]” – Jill Scott 

• “LUST.” – Kendrick Lamar 

• “I Can Say To You (Toribio Remix)” – Butcher Brown 

• “Just the Two of Us (feat. Bill Withers)” – Grover Washington, Jr. 

• “Massage Situation” – Flying Lotus 

Listen to In the Groove with host Ryan Patrick Hooper weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org. 

Ahead of bringing their shape-shifting sound to Detroit, Chicago duo Ray Bull stopped by In The Groove for a conversation about artistic instincts, unlikely influences and the long, winding road that turned two art school classmates into bandmates.

Made up of Aaron Graham and Tucker Elkins, the pair trace much of their creative chemistry back to those early days, saying their visual arts background still informs the way they write, collaborate and build songs together. 

As the pair tried to describe their sound, Graham admitted that finding the right label has never come easily. “Whenever people ask, I’m like, ‘It’s indie pop, indie rock,’ but then I say that and I hate myself.” 

Their sound lives somewhere between folk storytelling, pop melody and rock energy, occupying a space that feels difficult to pin down. Even their vocal chemistry wasn’t something carefully designed from the start. Instead, they say much of the band’s identity slowly developed through years of writing, experimenting and figuring things out together. 

The duo also reflected on the artists who helped shape their approach, citing Elliott Smith, Radiohead and The Strokes while repeatedly returning to folk storytellers like John Prine and Lucinda Williams. More than any specific genre or sound, they described being drawn to writers who can balance humor with emotional specificity, creating songs rooted in personal experiences that still resonate widely.

As Elkins explained, those storytelling instincts often become the foundation for their writing process. “We end up attempting to write from that folk writer space.” 

While their songs may begin with folk instincts and storytelling at their core, Ray Bull’s process seems less focused on fitting into a genre and more concerned with following ideas wherever they lead. It’s an approach that reflects the duo’s journey itself, one built through experimentation, collaboration, and a willingness to let their sound evolve naturally over time. 

Listen to the full interview using the media player at the top, and tune in to In The Groove weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on 101.9 FM.

Big Sonic Heaven featured some bands hittin’ the road this year! Tricky is touring North America for the first time in eight years, and his first show is right here in Detroit at El Club on September 16. We heard his latest track “Out of Place” (feat. Marta).

Gene’s first American Tour in 24 years starts this November. The limited tour doesn’t include Detroit, but if you want to travel, they’ll be in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, DC, and NYC. The same goes for The Tear Garden. The closest shows to Detroit are Chicago on September 24 for the Cold Waves festival and Cleveland at the Grog Shop on September 26. 

Check out the playlist below and listen to the episode on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Big Sonic Heaven playlist for May 18, 2026

• “Black Metallic” – Catherine Wheel
• “No One’s Listening” – Goodbye Ranger
• “Jovano” – Gergana Dimitrova & Lisa Gerrard
• “Jerusalem” – Sinéad O’Connor
• “Out of Place (feat. Marta)” – Tricky
• “This Far” – Cranes Come
• “wake up (clean version)” – The Haunted Youth
• “Michael” – Beachy Head
• “Next Life” – Mint Julep
• “Just One Kiss” – The Cure
• “Drink the New Wine” – Bauhaus
• “Olympian” – Gene
• “Mon Amour Sauvage” – Dead Can Dance
• “Lovelife” – Lush
• “Alfie” – deary
• “Long Distance Lover” – Locust
• “Souvlaki Space Station” – Slowdive
• “You Are The One” – Kilbey Kennedy
• “Slivered Kisses (feat. Danella Hocevar)” – She Shone
• “Pale Clouded White” – Cocteau Twins
• “Always There” – The Churchhill Garden
• “Floating” – Julee Cruise
• “8th Deadly Sin” – Miki Berenyi Trio
• “Pause The Rain” – Masal & Emma Anderson
• “This Life” – Mandalay
• “Além” – Summer of Hate
• “Ophelia” – The Tear Garden
• “Home” – Depeche Mode
• “One Day” – Future Islands
• “Untitled 8″ – Sigur Rós”

On this week’s episode of Acoustic Café,  a selection of cool covers from the last 12 months, including Mavis Staples covering Porter Wagoner, I’m With Her (Paul Simon), Matt Nathanson (Billy Joel), Al Green (The Bee Gees), Low Cut Connie (Prince) and many more.

Also, there’s one brand new song courtesy of Sharon Van Etten, writing a new song in response to a story from film legend Isabella Rossellini through the SongWriter Podcast.

See the playlist below and listen to the episodes on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Acoustic Café Playlist for May 17, 2026

• “Million Dollar Intro” – Ani DiFranco
• “Fade Into You” – Gregory Alan Isakov ft. Sylvan Esso
• “Sunday Morning” – Beth Gibbons
• “Little Red Corvette” – Low Cut Connie
• “Time In A Bottle” – Lucy Dacus
• “Get This Groove” – Old Town Love
• “I Go To Extremes” – Matt Nathanson
• “The Obvious Child” – I’m With Her
• “Panic In Detroit” – Steven Brown
• “Satisfied Mind” – Mavis Staples
• “L.A. Freeway” – Jade Bird
• “You’re Cheatin’ Heart” – Beck
• “To Love Somebody” – Al Green
• “For Isabella” – Sharon Van Etten (SongWriter Podcast)
• “Sail Away” – Tyler Ramsey/Carl Broemel
• “Norwegian Wood” – Jacob Collier
• “Kissing Other People” – kissing other ppl
• “Kill Bill” – Vitamin String Quartet
• “Luther” – Iron & Wine, Ben Bridwell
• “You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere” – The Dandy Warhols
• “Chevrolet” – Robert Plant
• “Manhattan Serenade” – Rachel & Vilray
• “Wichita Lineman” – Flea ft. Nick Cave
• “Tomorrow, Tomorrow” – Brad Hehldau ft. Daniel Rossen
• “Melissa” – Warren Haynes ft. Derek Trucks

Listen to Acoustic Café with host Rob Reinhart every Sunday from 1-3 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

This week on Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Mac Saturn return, plus more Detroit tunes from Dames Brown, The Detroit Emeralds and Inner City!

Also this week, a couple advance performances from The Leon Loft (for Acoustic Cafe), classics from The Bar-Kays and ELO, plus forthcoming coolness from Kelela!

See the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for May 16, 2026

HOUR ONE:

• “Holy Ghost” – The Bar-Kays
• “Cold April” – Allison Russell
• “Takes Time” – Mac Saturn
• “Can’t Be Wrong” – Low Cut Connie
• “Eastside Girls” – MUNA
• “Need Your Love” – Inner City feat. Steffanie Christi’an
• “Fifty Mission Cap” – The Tragically Hip
• “Crawl Space” – Art Farmer
• “Moonflower” – Devon Gilfillian
• “Kiss That Frog” – Peter Gabriel

HOUR TWO:

• “Idea 1” – Kelela
• “When The Love Is New” – Shaky Graves
• “You Want It, You Got It” – The Detroit Emeralds
• “Why You Got Me Crazy” – Dames Brown
• “Poker” – E.L.O.
• “Blessings” – Chance The Rapper
• “Charlie Sheen Reaches Out to the Feds” – Mountain Goats
• “No Invite” – Tank & The Bangas
• “In Your Ocean” – Iron & Wine (at The Leon Loft)
• “Good News” – ROZZI (at The Leon Loft)
• “Sunlight To My Soul” – Angelique Kidjo
• “What Is Left To Say” – Thundercat
• “Lost In My Mind” – The Head & The Heart

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

Get some unique thrifty items at vintage pop-ups or travel back in time at the tracks with Greenfield Village. Plus, Detroit’s cinematic and musical skill is on display at a screening of “Sons of Detroit” and more.

Upcoming events (May 15-22)

Zoo Brew

Detroit Zoo

May 15

$35+

On Friday, May 15, KeyBank is hosting Zoo Brew at the Detroit Zoo. There will be naturalistic habitats, over 100 beverage selections, and live music. Admission ranges from $35-$95, and the event will be held from 6:30 pm to 10 pm. For more information, visit the Detroit Zoo website.

Arturo Sandoval at the DSO

Detroit Symphony Orchestra

May 15

$21+

On May 15, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra will host ten-time GRAMMY Award-winning musician Arturo Sandoval. In addition to his performance, the DSO will open its Paradise Lounge for food and cocktails. Admission starts at $21. For more information, visit the Detroit Symphony Orchestra website. 

Dearborn’s Vintage Store Day

Little Mama’s Vintage, Retro Image, Overtime Print Shop

May 16

Free

Little Mama’s Vintage celebrates Vintage Store Day with a pop up! The event will highlight three independent vintage stores, as well as a new Dearborn refillery, a local matcha brewer, and a DJ. Admission is free, and the event will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit the Little Mama’s Vintage Instagram page.

All Aboard Adventure

Greenfield Village

May 16-17

$37 admission, with discounts for seniors and children

Greenfield Village is offering a train-lovers dream day, with hands on activities and demonstrations centered around the railroad tracks. Guests will be able to sit in a train from the late 1800s, watch a crane at work, push a discovery railcar and help maneuver the grand turntable outside the roundhouse to shift the tracks onto a new path. In addition to the mechanical, the Village green will have timeless lawn games and entertainment. This event is for all ages, and is free with the cost of admission. Arrive early to catch your train!

Salvation Army Sports Pop-up

823 E. Auburn Road

May 16

Free

From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., the Salvation Army store in Rochester Hills is offering shoppers vintage sports wear, collectibles and more— oh, and there will be a chance to meet Detroit Lions Defensive End Myles Adams from 9-11 a.m.! The first 100 shoppers will recieve an autographed photo from him. There will also be a raffle for thrift store credit. Proceeds will fund substance abuse rehabilitation and other services at the ARC Detroit.

Detroit In Context: Downtown Walking Tour

1265 Washington Blvd

May 17

$10

The City Institute hosts a Detroit In Context: Downtown Walking Tour. The 2 mile tour will cover Campus Martius Park and Spirit Plaza, as well as the Guardian Building and Spirit of Detroit. There will be discussions of the city’s history and the impact of innovative residents. The event will be held from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

‘Sons of Detroit’ screening

Detroit Institute of Arts

May 17

$11.50; Seniors, students and DIA Members $9.50

On Sunday, May 17, the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) is showing “Sons of Detroit.” Described as a “part love letter, part detective story,” the film follows the reunion of two cousins through memoirs, performances, and journalism. And we can’t forget, music by Detroit legend Waajeed. General admission tickets are $11.50 and $9.50 for seniors, students, and DIA members. The screening starts at 7 p.m. For more information, visit the DIA website.

Outlier Media x Senate Theater Trivia

Senate Theater

May 19

$10

Outlier Media and the historic Senate Theater are teaming up for a trivia night all about Michigan movies. Outlier’s Briana Rice and BridgeDetroit’s Bryce Hoffman will be hosting the event, which will run from 6:30-9 p.m. on Tuesday. Tickets sales support the Senate Theater and Outlier Media. Don’t miss out on this special opportunity to show off your knowledge of local film history and learn something new. Plus, there’s a prize for the winning teams.

Is it possible to be ubiquitous and behind-the-scenes at the same time? That pretty much sums up Don Was and his long career in the music business.

After co-leading the funky pop-rock band Was (Not Was) in the 1980s, Was went on to win an armful of Grammy awards as a producer. He’s worked with Bonnie Raitt, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Willie Nelson, Elton John, Ringo Starr and Bob Weir, to name just a few. Since 2012, he has been president of the legendary Blue Note Records.

Was is also a son of Detroit. In recent years, he put together a band under his own name for the first time: Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble. “We are on a mission to promulgate the indigenous sounds of our hometown of Detroit, Michigan,” he explains.

This is a tight and powerful group, with an emphasis on the groove, but all eyes and ears are on lead vocalist Steffanie Christi’an. In this Tiny Desk performance, she breathes a very different kind of fire into the Grateful Dead classic “The Music Never Stopped” and smolders on re-working of Hank Williams‘ “I Ain’t Got Nothing But Time.” The entire set is a perfect example of how, as the Dead used to say, “the music plays the band.”

SET LIST

• “The Music Never Stopped”
• “You Asked, I Came”
• “Midnight Marauders”
• “I Ain’t Got Nothin’ But Time”
• “Insane”

MUSICIANS

• Don Was: bass
• Steffanie Christi’an: vocals
• Wayne Gerard Milton: guitar
• Luis Resto: keys
• Dave McMurray: tenor sax
• Vincent Chandler: trombone
• John Douglas: trumpet
• Jeff Canady: drums
• Mahindi Masai: percussion 
• Herschel Boone: background vocals 
• Terena Boone: background vocals

TINY DESK TEAM

• Producer: Felix Contreras
• Director/Editor: Maia Stern
• Audio Director/Mix: Josh Newell
• Host/Series Producer: Bobby Carter
• Videographers: Maia Stern, Joshua Bryant, Kara Frame, Alanté Serene
• Audio Engineer: Hannah Gluvna
• Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
• Photographer: Vanessa Castillo
• Series Editor: Lars Gotrich
• Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
• Executive Director: Sonali Mehta
• Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson, Robin Hilton

This article was written by Felix Contreras and originally posted on NPR.org.

Today we have the pleasure of talking Detroit musician Ali Jackson. We sit down for a conversation reflecting on his work and musical journey. 

Throughout the show, we pair our conversation with iconic jazz selections from Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington and Lou Donaldson. You’ll also hear tracks from Michael Kiwanuka, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Sault, and Little Dragon, alongside songs from Nick Drake and Andy Shauf.  

Check the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the player above. 

In The Groove with Ryan Patrick Hooper playlist for May 14, 2026 

• “Things I Do” – Andy Shauf 

• “Yvonne” – Foxwarren 

• “Cold Little Heart” – Michael Kiwanuka 

• “What Is Life (2014 Remaster)” – George Harrison 

• “Give Me Back My Loving” – Leo Nocentelli 

• “One Of These Things First” – Nick Drake 

• “Glory” – Sault 

• “Let Go” – Sonic Interventions 

• “Down (feat. Dames Brown) [Extended Mix]” – The Vision 

• “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” – Ninapinta 

• “Nothing but a Heartache” – The Flirtations 

• “Bound” – The Ponderosa Twins Plus One 

• “Knock Knock (feat. MF Doom)” – MED, Blu & Madlib 

• “Break Me Down” – Yukimi 

• “Klapp Klapp” – Little Dragon 

• “Skipping Like A Stone (feat. Beck) [Single Edit]” – The Chemical Brothers 

• “The Darkness That You Fear (Harvest Mix)” – The Chemical Brothers 

• “World_Train” – Bullion & Charlotte Adigéry 

• “Radio Free Europe (Jacknife Lee Remix / 2025)” – R.E.M. 

• “POP POP POP” – IDLES 

• “Deep Harbour (feat. Alfa Mist)” – Commodo 

• “Mood Indigo” – Duke Ellington 

• “Ko Ko” – Charlie Parker 

• “Blues Walk” – Lou Donaldson 

• “Diana (feat. Wayne Shorter)” – Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra & Wynton Marsalis 

• “Breezin” – Boris Garbiner Happening 

• “Diane Charlemagne (Iman Houssein Remix)” – LEFTO EARLY BIRD 

Listen to In the Groove with host Ryan Patrick Hooper weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org. 

To celebrate Stevie Wonder turning 76, we asked for your picks and you came through with some incredible selections. Stevie is a once-in-a-lifetime artist, and Detroit is always proud to celebrate another year of his existence and legacy. Today’s show is a full-on birthday party for one of the greatest to ever do it. Let’s honor a catalog that only gets richer with time and still never gets old. 

Check the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the player above. 

In The Groove with Ryan Patrick Hooper playlist for May 13, 2026 

• “Shy Dub” – Hollie Cook 

• “Girl I Love You” – Massive Attack 

• “Maria También” – Khruangbin 

• “Pretty Girls” – Honeyglaze 

• “Pipeline” – Bill Frisell, Greg Leisz, Tony Scherr & Kenny Wollesen 

• “Wave of Mutilation” – Pixies 

• “Train Song” – Benjamin Gibbard & Feist 

• “Sleeping Ute (Nicolas Jaar Remix)” – Grizzly Bear & Nicolas Jaar 

• “Paper Trails” – DARKSIDE 

• “Hard Time Killin’ Floor Blues” – Skip James 

• “You and Me” – Penny & The Quarters 

• “Black Coffee” – Sarah Vaughan 

• “10:03” – Doves 

• “Otis” – The Durutti Column 

• “Baby” – Donnie & Joe Emerson 

• “The Seize” – Jordan Rakei 

• “O Tempo (Foi O Meu Mestre)” – Fabiano do Nascimento & Vittor Santos e Orquestra 

• “Olhos de Sá” – Joutro Mundo 

• “I Only Have Eyes For You” – Sunny & The Sunliners 

• “Life Is” – Jessica Pratt 

• “One Stop” – Aldous Harding 

• “Train on the Island” – Aldous Harding 

• “Jesus Children of America” – Stevie Wonder 

• “Too High (Pimpin Willie Deep Soul Regroove)” – Stevie Wonder 

• “All I Do” – Stevie Wonder 

• “He’s Misstra Know-It-All” – Stevie Wonder 

• “Ribbon In The Sky” – Stevie Wonder 

• “Knocks Me Off My Feet (Olivia Dean Cover)” – Stevie Wonder 

• “Livin’ for the City” – The Dirtbombs 

• “Another Star” – Stevie Wonder 

Listen to In the Groove with host Ryan Patrick Hooper weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org.