Manifesto — Rock In Detroit

Like love and light, Rock is our solace, our refuge. Rock is our school and our church. Rock is our friend, our neighbor, and our family. We live to Rock, and we live to be Rocked.

          Rock in Detroit is our roadmap to connection. Here we find our destinies . . . what show will you end up at tonight? For connection is all that we truly crave, and Rock facilitates this, so long as we say “yes” to what rock demands of us. We go to shows and we talk to people, but what about something even greater than each of us on our own? What about the movement of the Detroit Rock music scene as a whole? Where is it headed? It’s going to be the hottest rock city in the world (again), and it arguably never stopped being that! The world may very well look our way to determine the future sound of rock music on a global scale.

The local scene is a rare and precious gift. The rewards of a local scene like we have here are endless–we have a chance to truly uplift people, and occasionally, to change their lives. A Rock-Solid Rock-Music Community means a solid community in general. We include all: rich and poor, gay/straight, lovers/haters, punks/metal-heads! Rock is good for the economy. It’s good for business, development, education, and most of all: Freedom. Freedom of expression is encouraged here. We are still free to rock, so don’t ever let anybody take that away from you!

But we don’t deny younger artists the opportunity to take the stage alongside us, that’s for Hollywood. And we don’t cut you into a cookie cutter musician like Nashville. A jazz background is not required, like it is in New York. Detroit is where the true heart and soul of rock music is, thanks in large part to Motown. Detroit is an enormous machine that provides us with a platform for our freedom of expression through art and Rock Music. This is an Inclusive Scene. Bless the Motor City, and Bless its Music.

We are all key players in this scene, but it is larger than any one of us individually. The whole thing works really well when we suit up, show up, and engage. We must engage with others and make new friends and connections each and every day. We get phone numbers and we use them. Doors open. We must be brave. We must engage with the music, both live and recorded. We must do our part. We shop local for our Rock. We let the energy of Rock fill us up to the brim, so we can spill our own heavy riffs and haunting melodies over our fellow scenesters when it’s our turn. Or perhaps you don’t play and you’re just a fan. Even better! (Less work for you . . . .)

Rock is about being alive. It is about being Awake. This is about being ABOUT Something (other than money). “Stand for something, or fall for anything,” as they say. We stand for our freedom to Rock. Here we get to truly make a difference by showing up one glorious night at a time. This is about embodying Rock, as a city, to lead the way to claim our spot in a coming Golden Age of Music, according to this writer’s home-made prophecy.

So enjoy it, and make it last. Peace out for now.

— Kevin J. Knupp, 7-18-2024