Over the years, Pacha's Sunday night Solomun +1 has proved to be one of Ibiza's most perma-popular parties. Huge admirers ourselves, we had to get along to the opening party to scope out 2022's edition.
What music was Solomun playing? What can we expect from his guests this summer? How does Pacha's new look impact the party? A night under the two cherries would answer these questions.
Solomun's reportoire
After giving us the all night long treatment at Pacha's Grand Opening Party, Solomun was reduced to "only" a three hour solo set at his own opening. Konstantin Sibold, a surprise package for some, justified his selection. He lay the groundworks, handing over to our host on this choice.
If the rest of Solomun's +1s can follow with the same deftness, we're in for a hell of a summer.The Diynamic boss then pushed forward, taking things into dark and harder territory.
At present his record bag is made up of tracks from Dosem, Mind Against and Mason Maynard. As has been the case for some time, his repertoire entwines both Progressive and Deep House with infusions of Techno.
We can already tell this Shall Ocin remix is going to be a big track for him this summer.
Always one to keep us on our feet, there were also a handful of tracks whose flow and structure reminded us of his own Tuk Tuk track with ÄTNA.
+1 guests: July's power vs August's unpredictability
Solomun's format is unique on Ibiza. The host plus one single guest is a simple, but immensely effective formula that has proved its value time and time again.
Extended sets are a rarity here, with promoters often choosing quantity. Not the case on Sundays at Pacha.
Typically the +1 opens the night dead on midnight (though there are special occasions where Solomun mixes things up). They play until 02:30, when the big Slovenian takes over for an extended set of his own.
Almost always, the pair then end the night going back-to-back from around 05:30 (or b2b2b or even b2b2b2b in the case of double and triple acts!).
Solomun always introduces some fresh faces each year to push things forward. In a summer where we're frequently seeing the same names pop up, he's really excelled himself by bucking the trend.
Jamie xx, Erol Alkan and this week's Sofia Kourtesis are amongst the eyebrow-raisers in 2022.
The summer's peak months of July and August are an interesting case study. They could not be more different.
July sees the return of some favourite +1s - many of them international superstars. Butch, Adriatique, Gerd Janson and HAAi need little introduction and are known quantities, while Dixon's annual date is one of the most in-demand parties of summer for obvious reasons.
By contrast, August goes ballsy on some curveballs. Sally C, Cromby and Tijana T are given opportunities to showcase what they are all about. We applaud this bold booking policy.
Pacha's new look
Pacha itself kept busy during lockdown, remodelling the main room. Pillars which once obstructed the space have now been removed. With the dancefloor now opened-up, it's astounding to see how much of a difference such a seemingly small detail has made.
Of course all Pacha's parties benefit from the new layout, though given the crowds he attracts, Solomun might edge it.
The tech has been upgraded too. The hexagonal lighting rig above the DJ booth, which can move and be adjusted is a marvellous addition. Dancing underneath it feels like being caught in the tractor beam of a UFO.
The Solomun has his own production - an LED halo ring that frames the DJ booth, as referenced on his artwork.
Nile Rodger's philosophises that the very best clubs should "feel like the centre of the universe" at peak time. That is definitely something you can say about Pacha for Solomun +1 at 04:30 on Monday mornings.
Journey to the centre of the universe each and every Sunday at Solomun +1 this summer.
Tickets for all dates, including this weekend's party with Sofia Kourtesis, are on sale and available to purchase below. See you on the dancefloor.
