Philadelphia continues to strengthen its position on the American electronic map.
Making Time ∞ returned to Fort Mifflin from September 18 through 20, bringing together a lineup that connected major names from house and techno with experimental electronic music and live performance.
Theo Parrish represented one of the clearest connections to Detroit’s house and techno heritage, while the wider program included Bicep, Daphni, Marcel Dettmann, Sandwell District, Octo Octa b2b Eris Drew, Avalon Emerson, Dopplereffekt and Paula Tape.
The result was a festival that looked very different from the traditional US EDM model.
Making Time has been part of Philadelphia nightlife since promoter Dave P launched the original party in 2000.
More than two decades later, its festival format continues to combine the energy of a club event with the possibilities offered by a larger outdoor gathering.
The location adds another dimension.
Fort Mifflin is a historic site rather than a conventional festival complex, giving the event a distinctive environment while artists move between house, techno and more experimental sounds.
Philadelphia is sometimes overlooked when discussions about American electronic culture focus on Detroit, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles and New York.
Events such as Making Time show why that picture is incomplete.
The city has developed its own community and its own interpretation of electronic nightlife - one where American dance music history can meet contemporary global club culture without becoming another standard festival formula.