Move Forward Music—the visionary team credited with supporting the early live careers of superstars like Kendrick Lamar, Doja Cat, and Juice WRLD—has officially revealed the full roster for its inaugural independent festival, Sounds That Move. The event is scheduled to take over the vibrant Scott Avenue corridor in Bushwick, Brooklyn, from May 15–17.
The festival’s marquee features a diverse array of talent, with Saba, Hope Tala, Mark William Lewis, Sango, Tyler ICU, and DJ Habibeats leading the charge. This curated selection of headliners is bolstered by an international mix of emerging artists, spanning a wide spectrum of contemporary genres.
Conceived as a community-centric, independently funded alternative to the standard corporate festival model, Sounds That Move utilizes a “decentralized” structure. Rather than confining the experience to a single fenced-in lot, the festival activates the unique urban fabric of Brooklyn. Over three days, attendees can explore a series of industry panels, creative workshops, live performance showcases, and high-energy late-night club programming.
The festival will breathe life into five prominent independent venues within one of New York City’s most concentrated nightlife districts: 99 Scott, Silo, Honey’s, Chocolate Factory, and Brooklyn Roots Collective. The schedule includes curated showcases from influential partners such as Pigeons & Planes, Indie Hourzz, The Digilogue, Grey Area, and That Good Sh*t, with more collaborators expected to join the fold.
With an anticipated attendance of 23,000 music fans, the event aims to transform Scott Avenue into an immersive cultural hub. Access to the daytime programming and the various venue showcases is available through festival wristbands or individual event tickets, which can be secured at the official Sounds That Move website.
Founder Al Damashek noted that the festival’s mission is to remain deeply rooted in the New York creative scene. By leveraging the specific geography of Bushwick, the event seeks to unite artists, industry professionals, and fans within a shared, walkable space that feels authentic to the city’s spirit.
