Whirling Dervish Proudly Present

𝐉𝐮𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐭𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐬
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐲 𝐏𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧

Techno masterminds Juan Atkins & Stacey Pullen take the controls for their Whirling Dervish & ReelWorks debut. Get ready for a legendary night when Detroit’s finest meets Denver on the dance floor.

Juan Atkins
At the dawn of the 1980s, Juan Atkins began recording what stands as perhaps the most influential body of work in the field of techno. Exploring his vision of futuristic music, which welded the more cosmic side of Parliament funk with rigid computer synth pop embodied by Kraftwerk and the techno-futurist possibilities described by sociologist Alvin Toffler (author of The Third Wave and Future Shock), Atkins blurred his name behind aliases such as Cybotron, Model 500, and Infiniti — all, except for Cybotron, comprised solely of himself — to release many classics of sublime Detroit techno. And though it’s often difficult (and misleading) to pick the precise genesis for any style of music, the easiest choice for techno is an Atkins release, the 1982 electro track “Clear,” recorded by Atkins and Rick Davis as Cybotron. He soon left the progressively album-oriented Cybotron to begin working alone, and released his most seminal material from 1985 to 1989 as Model 500.

Atkins recorded much more during the ’90s than he had during the ’80s, soaking up new rhythmic elements from contemporary dance music but keeping his unerring, instantly recognizable sense of melody intact throughout. As the electronic scene began looking back to the past to find musical innovators, Atkins was a name much-discussed and -anthologized, hailed as the godfather of techno.

Stacey Pullen
Stacey Pullen, label boss at Blackflag Records, is a pioneering force in the Second Wave of Detroit techno, mentored by the city’s iconic trio—Derrick May, Juan Atkins, and Kevin Saunderson. As a world-renowned DJ and producer he continues to shape the electronic music landscape with his characteristic atmospheric sound, defying predictability and embodying his lifelong commitment to innovation.

Stacey’s musical journey began at age 9 with the flute in school bands, setting the stage for a lifelong connection to music. Inspired by the mid-1980s Detroit Techno movement and influenced by luminaries like Jeff Mills and Chicago DJs, he, along with friends, experimented with turntables, laying the foundation for his illustrious DJ career. From his debut gig in 1992, Stacey recognized the challenges and rewards of DJing. The release of his first track was under the moniker “Bango” on Derrick May’s Fragile Records. In 1993, Stacey moved to Amsterdam for more than a year and solidified his status as an innovative and influential figure in the techno landscape. In 1998, he continued his growth trajectory and started Blackflag Recordings featuring the future classic “Sweat”.

As a luminary in the music industry, Stacey Pullen continues to grow Blackflag Records: a label of abstract aesthetics– an outlet of free speech, thought and sound. Stacey’s goal is to hold no boundaries in his approach to music and its artform. With the goal of growth always at the forefront, expect Stacey to push the limits of possibilities in every project he touches.

All Purchases Are Final and non-refundable Unless the Show Is Canceled. Changes in multi-artist lineups do not qualify for refunds unless it is the main headliner.

* Very Limited Tables – wdguestservices@gmail.com – Side Stage & all VIP Access included!

21+ with Valid ID