Nightdrive.

Scenes From Juan Atkins' Saturday Night Dallas Debut at It'll Do.

In the world of techno, Detroit reigns supreme. And in the world of Detroit techno, the Belleville Three are kings.

So it was with a palpable sense of excitement that crowds young and old alike arrived at the It'll Do Club in New East Elm on Saturday night. For the first time ever, one of that famed and influential Detroit crew's principal members, Juan Atkins, was going to be in town.

There were familiar faces aplenty from the local house and techno sets, but it wasn't just a head-heavy crowd at this show. Well-versed listeners and newbies were at home at this one, crowding the dancefloor and all walkways surrounding it.

And, after a set from resident It'll Do DJ Redeye, Atkins proved himself worthy of the adulation, providing an impromptu lesson to both the ears and the mind with his turn on the decks.

For two and a half hours, he played. Two and a half hours.

And his set was just filled with techno greatness — from songs such as Jeff Mills' “Life Cycle” and Bside's “Jabnights” to Atkins' own “Nightdrive.” More surprising was the amount of house tracks mixed into the set: The opening crescendo of Derrick May's “Strings of Life” received a hearty roar; so, too, did Cerrone''s “Supernature.”

It felt like church. It was a spectacle to witness. It was a joy to behold.

And all those attendees I mentioned before? Far as I could tell, they all had a good time, showing some serious love to the legendary visitor.

Hey, he deserved it.

And they, in turn, deserved the love he showed back. Two and a half hours of excellence is no small thing.