After a staggering 22 week campaign, Solomun +1 closes on Sunday 16 October. Did the King of Pacha budge in 2022?
Over on our online forum, there's been some hot debate as to what Solomun is playing nowadays and how much he's shifted from the sound that solidified his status at Pacha.
Certainly, earlier +1 dates this summer saw a marked change of direction. Perhaps we should have foreseen this, what with his 2021 artist album Nobody Is Not Loved. The LP saw him stepping back from the dancefloor.
Had the shouty, anti-establishment post Punk influence, albeit layered over a Tech House beat, seeped through into his club sets?
While his choice of music may have shifted, one thing that remained constant was the dancefloor on Sunday filling up early and staying packed all night. No questioning the energy of the room.
If Solomun had moved, it was evident that the crowd either moved with him or was receptive to change.
With his 2022 closing fast approaching, as longtime Solomun fans, we went along the past two weeks to see if things really had changed. Or whether Solomun still rules the roost. Here's what we heard...
Played by +1s
Caiiro feat AWEN | Your Voice (Adam Port Remix) | Madorasindahouse
played by keinemusik
Afro-infused House, whose chords and vocals tug at the heartstrings courtesy of keinemusik member Adam Port. A track that roused the crowd and got things moving in the right direction on the collective's recent visit.
Radio Slave | I Don't Need A Cure For This (Kenny Larkin Remix) | Rekids
played by Midland
Midland's track selection is second to none in the business - and this pick has just about everything. The Kenny Larkin remix of I Don't Need A Cure For This is multi-layered and showcased the depth and bredth of Harry Agius' repertoise. Ear for a track? You betcha!
Unloved | Turn Of The Screw (Erol Alkan Remix) | Heavenly Recordings
played by Erol Alkan
Handing the baton to Solomun at 02:30, he's gonna want the crowd primed and ready to eat out of his hand. Erol Alkan understood the assignment this past Sunday, delivering his own rework as the handover track. Like putty in the hands.
Played by Solomun
Ewan McVicar | El Bombo | Higher Ground
Perhaps falling into the category of the newer style Solomun has adopted this term, Ewan McVicar's El Bombo has that hint of throwback rave nostalgia. It's got plenty of gusto, but might lack the subtly that longtime admirers yearn for. Don't tell us it wouldn't make you dance though.
Christian Nielsen | Can't Stop | Of Unsound Mind
Christian Nielsen was one of the outside bets who landed himself a +1 invite earlier this summer. Solomun is clearly a fan of his music, having kept this in his sets four years after its release. The right ratio of melody to kick.
Dom Dolla | Miracle Maker (Ejeca Remix) | Sweat It Out!
Possibly our favourite of Solomun's go-to tracks at the moment, just because it goes hard. Ejeca, who played a few Sundays ago under his Trance Wax moniker, has turned Dom Dolla's original into a beast of a remix. Already guaranteed to take the roof off. Pure peak time energy.
If you like what you heard above, why not go deeper on our Solomun +1 Ibiza party playlist? Over 150 tracks and almost 18-hours of music to immerse yourself in.
Follow the playlist here and subscribe to our Spotify channel here.
Sunday 16 October is not only the Solomun +1 closing party, but also Pacha's final date of 2022. It also has the honour of being the last Ibiza super-club to slam its doors shut this season. Expect all the workers from all the other clubs and promoters to be present for this.
Fellow Hamburg-native and equally legendary DJ Boys Noize is the +1 on this last occasion. Clearly he has a huge catalogue of his own music and amassed records to call upon, but we reckon it'll likely we'll hear some of his ELAX alias material, since he's signed to Diynamic.
We can also say with some certainty, that this will go later than the standard 06:30 finish.
This one is bound to sell-out. To guarantee admission, head below and grab those tickets while they're still about. Honestly, don't leave this one too late.
