TuneLab
Martin Solveig
Tomorrowland Belgium 2018
Martin Solveig's Tomorrowland 2018 set is the audio equivalent of a cheeky grin—it doesn't take itself too seriously, and neither should we. This is French house and pop-infused tech house for when you just want to have a stupidly good time. The vibe is sunny, playful, and relentlessly upbeat, a carnival of sound under the Belgian sky. Technically, it's a genre-hopping ride averaging 122 BPM, but with wild swings from 91 to 133 BPM to accommodate everything from downtempo grooves to peak-time bangers. The key of 12A dominates, providing a stable, major-key foundation for the fun.
The energy balance is classic house: a solid, funky low-end (0.55) supporting infectious mid-range hooks (0.39). The mixing is energetic and crowd-pleasing, often cutting quickly to keep the party moving. Pablo Caballero's 'Las Esperanzas' is a lush, organic house opener that feels like a warm hug. Solveig's own 'All Stars' is a guaranteed smile-inducer, its chopped vocals and disco loop pure joy. Tiësto's 'Jackie Chan' with Post Malone is a hilarious but effective festival rap moment.
Kölsch's 'Opa' brings a touch of deeper, melancholic melody, while MK's '17' (CamelPhat Dub) is a masterclass in swinging, bass-driven tech house. It starts with the sunny disposition of 'Las Esperanzas', peaks with the massive drop of 'Do It Right', and closes with the edu-tainment vibes of Luca Debonaire's 'Proper Education'. A set that proves fun is a valid technical skill.